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Speakers
As more clients look to align their wealth with their values, advisers are increasingly asked to turn broad aspirations like “I want my money to make a difference” into practical investment decisions. Yet with terms such as ‘ESG’, ‘sustainability’ and ‘impact’ often used interchangeably, the conversation can quickly become confusing, especially for those new to incorporating these considerations into their portfolios.
In this interactive session, we’ll unpack how you can move from client aspirations to meaningful discussions and, ultimately, implementable portfolio solutions. You’ll discover where real impact occurs across the investment spectrum, how to look beneath product labels and claims, and how to confidently connect client values with measurable, achievable outcomes, without compromising on performance.
Chief Sustainability Officer at Yarra Capital Management
Based in Melbourne, Dr Kuo brings more than 15 years’ experience working within sustainability. She leads Yarra’s corporate sustainability and works closely with Yarra’s investment teams to support best practise Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) integration into the Firm’s investment processes.
Before joining Yarra, Dr Kuo ran a consulting business, advising fund managers and family offices on ESG matters. She was previously Chief Impact Officer at Impact Investment Group and held senior positions across Impact Investing Australia and Pacific Corporate Group, the world’s largest cleantech private equity investor, where she led projects in the US, India and Australia.
Dr Kuo has previously worked as a university researcher and lecturer on sustainability measurement and social impact, and has led projects on social enterprise and impact investing for the Victorian Government and the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia. Earlier in her career she worked as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley, building and leading community development and environmental advocacy for non-profits in the US. Dr Kuo has a BA in Environmental Science from the University of California, a PhD from Monash University, and is a previous Adjunct Fellow at the Centre for Social Impact at Swinburne University.
Global Head of Private Markets at Brightlight Group
Simba Marekera is Global Head of Private Markets at Brightlight Group, an impact investing advisory firm. He designs and manages values‑aligned private market portfolios for institutional investors, governments and mission‑driven organisations, aligning capital with values-led outcomes such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Social Bond Principles, 2X Gender Equity Criteria and Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) principles. Simba specialises in innovative and blended finance across infrastructure, real estate and private credit, and brings deep experience advising on impact portfolios spanning financial inclusion and community infrastructure.
Financial Adviser at Ethical Investment Services
Adam is a Financial Adviser with Ethical Investment Services in Melbourne and enjoys working with clients to develop investment portfolios that reflect their personal and ethical values. He is currently a panel member on RIAA’s Policy and Advocacy Technical Experts Panel and a member of the Ethical Advisers Cooperative where he is a member of the Policy and Advocacy working group. He is also board member of Market Forces Ltd.
Prior to his involvement in financial planning, Adam’s career has spanned investment banking, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and water & environmental consultancy in Australia and Europe. He has a Masters degree in Financial Planning from Deakin University, specialising in socially responsible investment, an MBA from Melbourne Business School and a Bachelor of Science degree.
Adam believes that the way we choose to invest will ultimately shape the world we live in, particularly in regard to addressing the environmental and social impact of the companies we invest in.
Portfolio Manager for Perpetual Private’s ‘Australian Equities Responsible Investment Portfolio’
Daniel is the Portfolio Manager for Perpetual Private’s ‘Australian Equities Responsible Investment Portfolio’ and a senior investment analyst.
Daniel joined Perpetual in 2011 as a Research Analyst within Perpetual Private's Direct Equities team. He developed and subsequently launched the Responsible Investment Portfolio in 2015. He is also responsible for investment research of the Resources, Other Materials (building materials and chemicals), and Energy sectors. Daniel joined Perpetual after 4 years with Constellation Capital Management, a boutique funds manager, where he had responsibility for researching the Consumer Staples, Agriculture, Utilities and Telecommunications sectors. Prior to Constellation, Daniel worked for Hoyts Corporation where he was Group Accounting Manager responsible for financial reporting. Daniel is a CFA charter holder and holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) and a Master of Commerce (Finance and Accounting), both from the University of Sydney. He has also completed the CFA Institute’s Certificate in ESG Investing.
