UBS Launches Sustainability and Impact Organization with Key Appointments
Leading financial services company UBS launched today its new Sustainability and Impact organization, with the announcement of the appointments of Michael Baldinger as Chief Sustainability Officer, and Phyllis Costanza as Head of Social Impact.
The Sustainability and Impact organization brings together leading subject matter experts and thought leaders from across UBS, serving as a focal point and center of excellence, responsible for driving the implementation of the firm’s sustainability strategy. The organization will lead activities across the firm to drive its sustainability agenda and deliver on its Net Zero commitments. The new organization will report to Suni Harford, Group Executive Board sponsor for Sustainability and Impact and President of UBS Asset Management.
Baldinger has been at UBS since 2016, and has been serving as Global Head of Sustainable and Impact Investing at UBS Asset Management. Prior to joining UBS, Baldinger served as CEO of sustainable investing firm RobecoSAM. In his new role, Baldinger will be responsible for setting and driving implementation of the strategy and will provide oversight for all sustainable investing-related projects and activities.
Costanza joined UBS ten years ago, and has been serving as Head UBS Philanthropy and CEO UBS Optimus Foundation. Costanza will continue to be responsible for the group’s Philanthropy Services, Optimus Foundation and Community Affairs activities. Before joining UBS, she worked as Executive Director for Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and served as a board member at CIFF for 8 years.
Harford said:
“Sustainability is at the core of our new purpose to reimagine the power of investing and connect people for a better world. By creating the Sustainability and Impact organization with these senior appointments, we aim to extend the Group’s leadership in sustainability and take another step toward meeting our Net Zero ambitions.
“Underpinning this is our ongoing commitment to helping our clients mobilize capital in support of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals that matter most to them.”