In this crossover episode of The Future of Finance and Beyond Carbon, hosts Georges Dyer and Chris Ito sit down with Lane Jost, Head of Sustainability & Governance Advisory at Edelman Smithfield, for a candid conversation about the evolving ESG and sustainable investing landscape. Lane traces the arc of ESG from its “1.0” early days to today’s politically charged environment, unpacking the dynamics of greenwashing, greenhushing, regulatory risk, and the often-confusing language that shapes public perception.

They examine what this moment means for endowments, asset managers, and campus stakeholders, and discuss Edelman Smithfield’s work with endowments on strategic communications strategies.

Ultimately, the episode balances realism about political headwinds with optimism about market innovation, improved governance, and the long-term trajectory toward resilience and value creation.

Lane Jost – Head of Sustainability & Governance Advisory at Edelman Smithfield

Lane Jost leads the Sustainability & Governance Advisory Practice at Edelman Smithfield, bringing 16 years of sustainability leadership across facilities management, financial services, and consulting. Previously, he served on PwC’s national Responsible Business Leadership team, contributing to the firm’s global net zero strategy. Lane has held senior ESG roles at Santander US and Sodexo USA, developing sustainability strategies and managing significant grant portfolios. He holds degrees from UC San Diego and Kenyon College.

• Green Hushing May Actually Be Beneficial - The pullback from aggressive ESG marketing forces organizations to focus on substance over rhetoric, emphasizing rigorous processes and how ESG factors genuinely drive value and risk management.
• ESG Terminology Will Evolve, But Core Principles Remain - While "ESG" may fade within 3-5 years, evaluating material environmental, social, and governance factors remains fundamental to investment decisions regardless of political climate or terminology changes.
• Communications Must Align With Portfolio Management Reality - Strategic communications should be conservative, transparent, and grounded in fiduciary stewardship. Avoid making unvalidated claims, particularly given emerging regulatory risks around greenwashing in multiple jurisdictions.
• Context Matters: One Size Doesn't Fit All - Appropriate approaches vary by institution. Small liberal arts colleges have more latitude for impact investing, while large state universities face greater scrutiny. Mission and stakeholder context determine strategy.
• Educational Institutions Have Unique Teaching Opportunities - Universities should engage students in real-world discussions about balancing financial constraints, stakeholder pressures, climate risks, and portfolio construction—providing invaluable practical experience beyond traditional classroom learning.

In this episode, hosts Chris Ito and Georges Dyer engage with Kathleen Simpson, CEO of The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF), and Brad Harrison of AlTi Tiedemann Global, TRFF's investment advisor, to explore the intersection of mission-driven investing, shareholder engagement, and the critical role of impact strategies in addressing global climate challenge. Recorded just days after the U.S. election, the episode offers timely insights into navigating uncertainty in the energy transition and scaling impactful investments.

Kathleen Simpson - Chief Executive Officer, The Russell Family Foundation

Brad Harrison - Co-Head of Impact Strategy, AlTi Tiedemann Global

Kathleen Simpson serves as CEO of The Russell Family Foundation, where she guides strategic planning, programs, and community affairs while overseeing the Foundation's impact investing. Under her leadership, first as CFO and now as CEO, the foundation has transformed its portfolio from 7% to nearly 95% impact-aligned investments. She champions TRFF’s Net Zero commitment and regional food systems initiatives while serving on numerous nonprofit boards. With extensive experience in finance and leadership, Kathleen has helped reimagine philanthropy through a decarbonization lens.

Brad Harrison co-leads AlTi's impact investing strategy globally and oversees the firm's Climate Sustainability strategy focused on accelerating the net zero transition. Working with clients to align capital with purpose, Brad’s holistic approach integrates financial innovation with environmental stewardship. He brings decades of experience in climate investing and collaboration with organizations like the Global Impact Investing Network.

• Decarbonization and Impact Journey: Learn how TRFF evolved from initial experiments with community bank investments to becoming a leader in mission-aligned investing with 94% of assets aligned with impact goals.
• Net Zero Framework: Discussion of TRFF's approach to achieving net zero, combining investments in decarbonization technologies with nature-based solutions for a holistic environmental impact.
• Transparency and Field-Building: Insights into TRFF's commitment to transparency and field-building through sharing their investment policies and strategies openly.
• Navigating Policy and Political Uncertainty: Reflecting on the 2024 election, the conversation addresses challenges to the Inflation Reduction Act and its implications for impact investors.
• Impact Measurement: Details about TRFF's participation in the IEN's Endowment Impact Benchmark initiative and achieving a platinum rating, demonstrating the value of third-party verification.
• Future Challenges: The duo share insights on addressing the “last mile” of decarbonization and maintaining a balance between net zero goals and meaningful impact.

Listen as Chris and Georges explore how foundations can lead the way in impact investing while maintaining strong returns and building a more sustainable future.

In this episode, hosts Georges Dyer and Chris Ito are joined by British actors Will Attenborough and Leila Mimmack to share their journey from the world of acting to leading impactful climate campaigns, leveraging their public platforms to drive change in sustainability and finance. Despite coming from acclaimed acting families, Will and Leila bring an unassuming yet passionate approach to raising awareness on environmental issues through their creative work.

Will Attenborough – Actor and Climate Activist

Leila Mimmack – Actor and Climate Activist

Will Attenborough is a British actor renowned for stage and film roles. Inspired by Desmond Tutu's climate justice work, he played a pivotal role in Divest London’s push for fossil fuel divestment. Will spearheaded campaigns within the acting union Equity, achieving the UK's first fossil-free pension fund options for artists. He champions sustainable storytelling, leveraging celebrity influence to model climate solutions. With an acclaimed family legacy, Will uses his platform authentically to shift narratives and inspire urgent environmental action.

Leila Mimmack is a British stage and screen actor driving environmental causes. Alongside Will Attenborough, she catalyzed a grassroots campaign within the Equity trade union, pioneering fossil fuel divestment and greener pension investments for artists. Leila's climate activism stems from her youth, attending rallies inspired by her teacher's rainforest lessons. Now using her creative talents, she collaborates on projects like Equity for a Green New Deal and sustainable theatre practices. Leila harnesses storytelling to reshape society's perspectives on pursuing an ecologically-conscious future.

• Diving into Divestment: Will and Leila recount their journeys into climate activism, starting with the Divest London campaign and efforts to push the London Pension Fund Authority away from fossil fuel investments.
• Union Power for Change: Hear about their strategies working within the Equity trade union to pass motions, lobby leaders, and create more sustainable investment policies for artists.
• The Struggle for Real Impact: The guests discuss the challenges of achieving meaningful change within complex pension funds and institutional inertia around sustainable investing.
• Sustainable Storytelling: Will and Leila explore how their backgrounds as actors allow them to shift narratives and model positive climate solutions through creative projects like the "Green Rider" initiative.
• Actors as Activists: The role of celebrity activism and harnessing the cultural influence of entertainers to inspire climate action in an authentic, relatable way.

Join Chris and George for an engaging discussion on the intersections of art, activism, and finance in driving a better environmental future.