Responsible Investment Association

Canada's industry association for responsible investment
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Overview

RIA Members include asset managers, asset owners, advisors, and service providers who support our mandate of promoting responsible investment in Canada’s retail and institutional markets. Our institutional members collectively manage over $42 trillion in assets.

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160
organizational members
Asset Managers, Asset Owners & Service Providers
400
individual members
Advisors, Consultants & Other Professionals
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Our Mandate

The RIA has five strategic priorities for driving the adoption of RI in Canada’s retail and institutional markets. Review our progress in our 2021 annual report.

  • EDUCATE – Promoting industry and market education about all RI strategies
  • CATALYZE – Playing a leadership role in catalyzing market development and integrity
  • ADVOCATE – Advancing a policy/regulatory environment conducive to RI
  • BUILD – Building brand and reputation as the hub and leading voice of RI in Canada
  • GROW – Growing financial and human capital resources to strengthen capacity

History

The RIA’s predecessor, the Social Investment Organization (SIO), was established in 1990 to advance socially responsible investing (SRI) in Canada. The SIO played a central role in building and developing SRI in Canada for 23 years.

In 2013, the SIO was rebranded as the Responsible Investment Association to evolve with the industry and to encompass the broader scope of responsible investing, which incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into the selection and management of investments.

RIA in Action

The RIA runs many programs, projects, events and initiatives to deliver on its mandate of advancing responsible investment in Canada. Review the RIA's progress in our 2021 annual report.
Educational & Networking Events
  • We host the annual RIA Conference to provide education on the latest issues & trends in the field of responsible investing.
  • We also host smaller events such as ESG Afterwork and educational events such as ESG Breakfasts.
  • We coordinate Responsible Investment Week in Canada, collaborating with members and partners across Canada to host events throughout a week typically in the fall.
  • We also host webinars and do an annual national tour to reach our members across Canada.
Professional Development
  • We offer several courses and three financial credentials for our members: Responsible Investment Specialist (RIS), Responsible Investment Advisor Certification (RIAC), Responsible Investment Professional Certification (RIPC).
  • We also partner with members to support their internal events to educate staff and clients about responsible investing.
Industry Collaboration
  • We act as Secretariat for the Toronto RI Working Group, Vancouver RI Working Group and Policy Stewardship Group to facilitate peer learning and industry collaboration.
  • We also host the RIA Network listserv – a communications tool for RIA Members to contact other RIA Members for collaborative opportunities.
Research
  • We conduct research for the biennial Canadian Responsible Investment Trends Report to track the growth and development of responsible investing in Canada.
  • We release quarterly reports on the performance of RI funds.
  • We also conduct the annual RIA Investor Opinion Survey to track individual investors’ interest in RI and related issues.
Digital Communications
  • We host the RIA website at www.riacanada.ca to promote education about responsible investing.
  • We also leverage social media @riacanada to share RI news and enhance outreach to the investing public.
  • We also host an online magazine to share news, views, and industry developments from RIA members and industry experts.
Media Relations
  • As part of our effort to raise awareness of responsible investing and raise the profile of RIA members, the RIA is regularly quoted by industry and mainstream media outlets.
  • In addition to media coverage, the RIA CEO also writes a regular column for Investment Executive and places strategic op-eds in various reputable media outlets
Advocacy
  • We engage with regulators and government to advance the development of responsible investing in Canada.

Our Team

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Julie Ambachtsheer,
CFA
Senior Manager, Research & Special Projects
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Jennifer Ashley
Finance Administrator
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Emily Boileau
Bilingual Coordinator
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Nicholas Buccheri
Director of Operations
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Patricia Fletcher,
ICD.D
Chief Executive Officer
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Daniel Fuentes
Administrative Director, Climate Engagement Canada
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Damiano Passarelli
Senior Communications Coordinator
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Karishma Porwal
Communications Specialist
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Tina Quintanilla
Marketing & Events Specialist
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Mary Robinson,
CFA
Director, Research & Investor Networks
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Kristen Sheppard
Director, Membership & Partner Relations
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Nanaki Vij
Research & Membership Analyst
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Sandy Wilson
Vice President, Finance & Administration

Board of Directors

Jackie Ramler
*
Portfolio Manager & Branch Manager
Raymond James Ltd.
Adelaide Chiu
*
VP, Head of Responsible Investing & ESG Services
NEI Investments
Anna Murray
*
Managing Director, Global Head of ESG
SLC Management
Geordie Hungerford
*
Chief Executive Officer
First Nations Financial Management Board
Nalini Feuilloley
Director, Responsible Investment
BMO Global Asset Management Toronto, Ontario
Marie-Justine Labelle
Responsible Investment Practice Lead
Desjardins Montréal, Quebec
Carol Smith
Financial Advisor
Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network Toronto, Ontario
Roger Beauchemin,
Chair
President & CEO
Addenda Capital Montreal, Quebec
Alicja Brown
Investment Advisor
Brown Investment Group of CIBC Wood Gundy Edmonton, Alberta
Lisa Becker,
Treasurer
COO & CCO
University of Toronto Asset Management Corporation Toronto, Ontario
Milla Craig
*
Founder and President
Millani Inc. Montréal, Quebec
Johnny Fansher
Responsible Investment Specialist
iA Investia Financial Services Inc. London, Ontario
Kelly Gauthier
*
President
Rally Assets Toronto, Ontario
Edgar Hielema
Partner
Gardiner Roberts LLP Toronto, Ontario
Melanie Adams,
Vice-Chair
VP & Head, Corporate Governance & Responsible Investment
RBC Global Asset Management (GAM) Toronto, Ontario
Karrie Van Belle,
Secretary
Senior Vice-President, Head of Marketing and Communications
AGF Investments Inc. Toronto, Ontario
Barbara Zvan
President and Chief Executive Officer
University Pension Plan Ontario Toronto, Ontario
Stephen Erlichman
Partner
Fasken Toronto, Ontario
* Legend
EC Executive Committee
GPC Governance Policy Committee

In the Press

Why Interest in ‘Impact Investing’ is Taking Hold (The Globe and Mail)
September 24th, 2019
Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance Recommends Super Tax Deduction to Incentivize Green Savings (Benefits Canada)
June 19th, 2019
Expert Panel Aims to Recruit the Financial Sector into the Climate Fight (Investment Executive)
June 14th, 2019
Survey Finds Increasing Support for RI (Advisor's Edge)
April 25th, 2019
OPINION: It’s Time for Investors to Do More to Advance Reconciliation (The Chronicle Herald)
April 24th, 2019
RI Designations Growing in Popularity: RIA (Advisor's Edge)
April 17th, 2019
RI Designation Gaining Momentum Among Advisors (Wealth Professional)
April 16th, 2019
Global Sustainable Assets Hit $30.7 Trillion in 2018 – Report (Pensions & Investments)
April 1st, 2019
Global Sustainable Investments Rise 34 Percent to $30.7 Trillion (Bloomberg)
April 1st, 2019
Canadian Responsible Investments Surpass $2 Trillion (Investment Executive)
October 30th, 2018
RI Assets Growing Rapidly in Canada (Wealth Professional)
October 24th, 2018
Canadian Responsible Investments Surpass $2 Trillion AUM: Report (Benefits Canada)
October 24th, 2018
Rapid Growth in Responsible Investment Will Continue (Advisor's Edge)
October 24th, 2018
2018 RIA Conference Media Coverage
June 8th, 2018
A Major Tipping Point for RI? (Investment Executive)
January 15th, 2018
RIA Names Dustyn Lanz as New CEO (Investment Executive)
October 17th, 2017
Taking ESG Reporting to the Next Level – Benefits Canada
October 10th, 2017
RIA COO Dustyn Lanz On How Talking About Responsible Investment Pays Off (Investment Executive)
October 1st, 2017
RIA CEO Deb Abbey on Why the Glass Ceiling Needs More Cracks (Women in Business Magazine)
September 12th, 2017
Responsible Investing On The Rise (FinancialLiteracy.ca)
September 7th, 2017
The Gender Gap: Canadians Want to Put Their Money in Companies That Pay Equally (CBC News)
June 12th, 2017
Canadians Want Guidance on Responsible Investing, Study Finds (Wealth Professional)
June 2nd, 2017
Canadians want guidance on responsible investing, study finds (Wealth Professional)
June 2nd, 2017
Wide Gap Exists Between Investors’ Interest and Knowledge in Responsible Investing (Investment Executive)
June 1st, 2017
Investors Look to Support Firms with Pay Equity: Report (The Globe and Mail)
June 1st, 2017
Canadian Investors Want to See Gender Pay Equity and Women in Leadership Roles (Business Vancouver)
June 1st, 2017
Investors Lead Corporations When It Comes to Attitudes about Gender Diversity (Financial Post)
June 1st, 2017
RIA COO Dustyn Lanz Quoted in Article about Climate Risk Disclosure (ListedMag.com)
May 23rd, 2017
Responsible Investors Key to Global Sustainable Development (Investment Executive)
April 17th, 2017
RIA COO Dustyn Lanz on the Case for Responsible Investing (Financial Literacy)
March 20th, 2017
RIA Senior Director Dustyn Lanz Quoted in Article about Millennials and Responsible Investment (The Globe and Mail)
March 16th, 2017
The Need for Sustainable Business Supply Chains is Growing (Investment Executive)
February 21st, 2017
4 Drivers of Growth in Responsible Investment (Advisor.ca)
February 3rd, 2017
RI Assets Almost Double (BPM Magazine)
February 2nd, 2017
Pension Fund Assets Make Up 75% of Responsible Investing in Canada: Report – Benefits Canada
February 2nd, 2017
RI Continues to Enjoy Strong Growth – Investment Executive
February 2nd, 2017
In Canada, Pensions Funds Lead in Responsible Investment (Globe and Mail)
February 2nd, 2017
RIA Senior Director Dustyn Lanz quoted in article about responsible investing (VICE Money)
January 22nd, 2017

RIA News

May 2023 Recipients of RI Credentials
May 29th, 2023
Quarterly Responsible Investment Funds Report: Highlights from Q1 2023
May 28th, 2023
Climate Engagement Canada Launches Benchmark to Drive the Net Zero Transition Among Top Canadian Corporate Emitters
May 4th, 2023
April 2023 Recipients of RI Credentials
April 27th, 2023
March 2023 Recipients of RI Credentials
April 3rd, 2023
2023 Call for Applications: RIA Board of Directors
March 22nd, 2023
February 2023 Recipients of RI Credentials
February 28th, 2023
January 2023 Recipients of RI Credentials
January 31st, 2023
Quarterly Responsible Investment Funds Report: Highlights from Q4 2022
January 31st, 2023
Canadian retail investors seek biodiversity protection in their portfolios, want advisors to offer responsible investments
January 24th, 2023
Quarterly Responsible Investment Funds Report: Highlights from Q3 2022
December 20th, 2022
December 2022 Recipients of RI Credentials
December 20th, 2022
A new global collaboration to align and refine ESG terminology between the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance and the CFA Institute
December 1st, 2022
November 2022 Recipients of RI Credentials
November 30th, 2022

Working Groups

Advancing RI Through Peer Learning

The RIA serves as Secretariat for institutional RI Working Groups in Toronto and Vancouver. The purpose of these Working Groups is to leverage diverse networks and expertise to facilitate peer learning regarding responsible investment, and to help achieve the common goal of growing the RI industry. The Working Groups are participant-driven and focus on topics decided by the participants. Participants include CIOs, Portfolio Managers, Researchers, Analysts, VPs, Directors, Managers and other decision-makers from asset management firms and asset owners such as foundations and endowments.

The Toronto RI Working Group meets on a quarterly basis. It is composed of Co-Chairs, a Steering Committee, a Secretariat and over 70 professionals who participate in numerous Work Streams focused on various RI issues. Work Streams have included: Shareholder Engagement; Impact Investing; ESG Integration; Climate Change; and Transparency & Accountability. The Working Group also engages with CFA Societies and the CFA Institute around responsible investing.

The larger Working Group meets quarterly, and the smaller Work Streams typically meet more frequently. The Work Streams provide updates to other participants at the quarterly Working Group meetings.

View the Toronto RI Working Group charter here. If you wish to learn more about the Toronto RI Working Group, please contact us: staff@riacanada.ca.

Toronto Steering Committee

  • Hyewon Kong (Co-Chair)
    Associate Portfolio Manager
    AGF Investments
  • Brian Minns (Co-Chair)
    Manager, Sustainable Investing
    Addenda Capital
  • Karen Lockridge
    Principal
    Mercer
  • Michael Jantzi
    CEO
    Sustainalytics
  • Rosa van den Beemt
    ESG Analyst
    NEI Investments
  • Nalini Feuilloley
    Director, Responsible Investment
    BMO Global Asset Management
  • Sarah Takaki
    Senior Director, Responsible Investing
    HOOPP

The Vancouver RI Working Group is composed of a wide range of professionals working in the field of responsible investment. The Vancouver Group started in summer 2016 and meets on a bi-monthly basis.

If you wish to learn more about the Vancouver RI Working Group, please contact us at: staff@riacanada.ca.