- Which sustainability risks should be keeping investment managers and asset owners awake at night as we head into 2026?
- How should AI feature on your ESG risk radar right now?
- How are climate change considerations impacted by other sustainability issues?
- Will geopolitical challenges increase in complexity, or recede, in 2026?
- What are the drivers defining the next phase of sustainable investment?
The Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) invites members to an exclusive event unpacking the ESG trends and strategic opportunities set to shape 2026.
Hear from leading ESG experts Stephanie Maier (FTSE Russell), Julia Leske (ISS Stoxx), Jakub Malich (MSCI) and Morningstar Sustainalytics and as they explore the major themes expected to influence the sector in the year ahead.
You’ll also have the opportunity to join a live Q&A and put your questions directly to all four research providers.
Click here to register.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Tuesday 10 February 2026
Time: 10:30am - 12pm AEDT / 12:30pm - 2pm NZDT
Platform: Zoom webinar (join link sent at time of registration and 1 hour prior to event)
How to log into Zoom from Glue Up/registration link.
Co-CEO
,
RIAA
With a distinguished 20-year career at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Estelle Parker brings crucial expertise in government relations, policy-making, and themes important to responsible investors, including human rights and the SDGs. As a leader driving RIAA’s research, certification, policy, standards, and working group programs, her leadership has elevated these initiatives to achieve heightened levels of professionalism, impact, and value delivery for our members, aligning seamlessly with RIAA’s strategic objectives.
Beyond her organisational impact, Estelle is a respected figure in the responsible investment landscape, serving as a strong advocate on influential global and government committees, including the Principles for Responsible Investment’s Global Policy Reference Group, the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (as a Board member) and the Australian Government’s Natural Capital Working Group. Additionally, she serves as the Convenor of the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures official Consultation Group for Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Steering Committee for the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute. She is also the Vice President of the Council of the Australian Institute for International Affairs (Victoria).
Managing Director, Senior Consultant Sustainability Strategy
,
ISS STOXX
Julia has over 15 years’ experience working in responsible investment research. In her role as Senior Consultant Sustainability Strategy at ISS STOXX, Julia works with key stakeholders in the Responsible Investment industry on ESG strategy and implementation. Through working with a broad range of investors to incorporate sustainability criteria into their investment processes, participation in multi‐stakeholder groups and investor collaborations, Julia has extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, company sustainability assessments, ESG data and reporting frameworks. Prior to joining ISS STOXX, Julia was CEO of the Australian ESG research house CAER (now part of ISS STOXX).
Global Head of Sustainable
,
FTSE Russell
Stephanie Maier is Global Head of Sustainable and a member of the Leadership Team at FTSE Russell. She is responsible sustainable index product line globally, collaborating closely with clients to evolve our solutions in the index space.
Stephanie joined FTSE Russell in September 2024 from independent Swiss listed asset manager GAM Investments, where she was their Global Chief Sustainability Officer, responsible for leading GAM’s sustainability strategy. This included ESG integration, stewardship, product and client solutions and corporate sustainability. She brings over 21 years’ experience in sustainable investment, with previous roles as Director for Responsible Investment at HSBC Global Asset Management, Head of Responsible Investment Strategy and Research at Aviva Investors and formerly Head of Research for EIRIS, an ESG research and consultancy firm.
Head of APAC Sustainability & Climate Investment Solutions Research
,
MSCI
Jakub Malich is the Head of APAC Sustainability & Climate Investment Solutions Research at MSCI. With a focus on fixed- income research and product development, he supports investors in integrating sustainability and climate considerations into their investment processes. Jakub is based in Singapore.
Prior to joining MSCI in 2019, Jakub was a buy-side fixed-income analyst at the UBS Wealth Management Chief Investment Office, where he covered global credit markets and supported asset allocation decisions.
He holds an MSc in Finance and Investment from the University of Edinburgh and is a CFA charterholder.
Senior Director, ESG Research
,
Morningstar Sustainalytics
Stephen Ellis is a Senior Director of ESG Research at Morningstar Sustainalytics, based in Chicago. Before assuming his current role in 2024, he was a strategist on the Resources team, the director of equity research for the financial services team, and a senior equity analyst, all within Morningstar Equity Research. Prior to joining Morningstar in 2007, Ellis worked as a freelance analyst for The Motley Fool and spent three years working in project and financial analysis for Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), a supplier of geographic information system software and geodatabase management applications. Ellis holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Redlands. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with honors from the University of Redlands.
