2022 RIA Leadership Awards

Award Categories

The RIA Leadership Awards are an opportunity to earn national recognition for your contributions to responsible investment in Canada. Each award recognizes the leadership and excellence of an RIA member for their work in one of the following three categories: Market Education, Integration, or Stewardship. Drawn from the RIA’s Strategic Priorities, these categories represent the critical work being done to advance responsible investment in Canada. An award will be granted in each category, for a total of 3 Awards. Learn more about past winners here.

ENTER A SUBMISSION OR NOMINATION

<p>Recognizing Organizational RIA members who seek to bridge the gap between knowledge about and demand for RI by engaging and educating market participants, raising awareness of responsible investment and developing and promoting tools, resources and research related to RI.</p>

Market Education: Driving Awareness and Demand for RI

Recognizing Organizational RIA members who seek to bridge the gap between knowledge about and demand for RI by engaging and educating market participants, raising awareness of responsible investment and developing and promoting tools, resources and research related to RI.

<p>Recognizing Organizational RIA members who further the adoption and development of responsible investment practices among investment professionals by enabling the development of RI literacy and expertise, and implementing and enhancing RI policies, processes and principles.</p>

Integration: Developing the RI Capacity of Investment Professionals

Recognizing Organizational RIA members who further the adoption and development of responsible investment practices among investment professionals by enabling the development of RI literacy and expertise, and implementing and enhancing RI policies, processes and principles.

<p>Recognizing Organizational RIA members who exemplify leading stewardship practices by leveraging their influence as investors to advance the widespread implementation of ESG practices, standards and policies/regulations that support RI objectives.</p>

Stewardship: Advancing Practices and Policies to Support RI

Recognizing Organizational RIA members who exemplify leading stewardship practices by leveraging their influence as investors to advance the widespread implementation of ESG practices, standards and policies/regulations that support RI objectives.

Read the Awards Guidelines

Award Eligibility

To be eligible for a 2022 RIA Leadership Award, submissions must meet the following criteria:

RIA Membership

All Awards candidates must be members of the RIA for at least one year as of January 1, 2022. Awards candidates must be RIA members in good standing on the date they enter their submission, and on June 6, 2022 when the Awards are presented. Awards are available for both Organizational and Individual RIA Membership categories.

Collaborative Projects

Collaborative Projects may be submitted, so long as at least 50% of the project’s participants are RIA members, or RIA members actively contributed at least 50% of the effort for the project.

Simply sponsoring a project will not be eligible.
All participants must agree to take part in the Awards before sending in their submission.
Multiple submissions for one collaborative project will not be permitted; if multiple submissions are received, the RIA will encourage the participants to submit a single Collaborative submission.

Project Time Frame

The activities described in the submission must have taken place or been implemented during the calendar year 2021. The Awards are open to both ongoing and completed projects. While activities might have been initiated prior to 2021, or may conclude after 2021, the submission will be evaluated on the basis of its reported results during calendar year 2021.

Submission Guidelines

The Submission/Nomination period will be open from March 2, 2022 to April 7, 2022 . All Awards candidates must be members of the RIA for at least one year as of January 1, 2022. Awards candidates must be RIA members in good standing on the date they enter their submission, and on June 6, 2022 when the Awards are presented.

An Individual or Organization can be nominated by another RIA member. The RIA will advise the Nominee of their nomination, and the Nominee will then be responsible for submitting their own Entry.

Additional information:

Submissions must be on behalf of an Organizational RIA Member or an Individual RIA Member.
Collaborative projects are welcome for either Submission type (further instructions available on the Submission Form).
There is a limit of 1 submission per Organization/Individual per category and a limit of 2 submissions per Organization overall.
Submissions, supporting documents and links can all be submitted in either official language.

Submit Award Nomination

Judging the RIA Leadership Awards

The Judges’ Panel is made up of 11 Volunteers with expertise in responsible investment in Canada. The Panel’s composition considers factors such as geography, gender, and racial diversity, consistent with the RIA Board’s Diversity Policy, and balanced representation from the following sectors:

Academics
Advisors
Asset Managers
Asset Owners
Business/Consulting/Service Provider
Financial Institutions (Banks & Credit Unions)
Media
RI Organizations

Learn More about the Judging Process

Amr Addas

Adjunct Professor and Director of the Van Berkom Investment Management Program, John Molson School of Business, Concordia University

Amr Addas is an Adjunct Professor and Director of the Van Berkom Investment Management Program and Van Berkom Small Cap Case Competition at the John Molson School of Business, Concordia University. Learn More.

Patti Dolan

Senior Wealth Advisor, Portfolio Manager, Wagner Investment Management Team, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.

Patti Dolan is portfolio manager with Wellington-Altus Private Wealth, based in Calgary. Patti has been in the investment industry for over 30 years and has practiced Responsible Investing (RI) since 1995. Learn More.

Pablo Fuchs

Globe Advisor Editor, The Globe and Mail

Pablo Fuchs is editor of Globe Advisor at The Globe and Mail, a position he has held since January 2019. He oversees the editorial direction and manages the production of daily content for the Globe’s direct-to-advisor offering. Learn More.

Christian Hansen

Compliance and Revenue Manager, The Real Estate Foundation of BC

Christian has worked for the past 12 years at the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia where he oversees the revenue streams and investments of the Foundation. Learn More.

Emily Lawrence

Director, Sustainable Investing, Northern Trust Asset Management

Emily Lawrence is Director of Sustainable Investing Client Engagement for North America at Northern Trust Asset Management where she is responsible for client engagement and partnership regarding Northern Trusts’ sustainable investing capabilities. Learn More.

Michelle McCulloch

Director, Research Products, Sustainalytics

Michelle leads the Thematic Research Team within Research Products at Sustainalytics and is also a leader on the Enhanced Research Team. She has been a sector manager leading both the Financials research team and the Extractives research team. Learn More.

Jean-Philippe Renaut

CEO, Aequo

Jean-Philippe Renaut joined Æquo in 2016 and a year later became its CEO. He is responsible for client relations, business development and operations, and leads specific dialogues with companies on behalf of Æquo’s clients. Learn More.

Mark Sevestre

President, National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association

In 2006, Mark became one of three founding members of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association. Serving in several roles, including Board Member, Committee Chairman and President, Mark is currently serving as Founder and Senior Advisor to NATOA. Learn More.

Melissa Shin

Editorial Director, Advisor’s Edge and Investment Executive

Melissa Shin is the Editorial Director at Advisor’s Edge and Investment Executive with Newcom Media Inc. As an award-winning journalist and the editorial director of four national financial services publications, Melissa turns technical subject matter into accessible content for sophisticated audiences. Learn More.

Sarah Takaki

Head of Sustainable Investing, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)

Sarah Takaki is the Head of Sustainable Investing at the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP), where she leads the Sustainable Investing program. Learn More.

Stephen Whipp

Senior Investment Advisor, Certified Responsible Investment Specialist, Leede Jones Gable Inc.

Stephen Whipp is an activist and a passionate guy. He believes that individuals working together really can change the world for the better. With a background in journalism and non-profit management that includes aboriginal governance, and more than 20 years as a successful investment advisor, Steve brings a potent combination of experience, knowledge and connections to the table. Learn More.