Judy Cotte

Judy is the CEO of ESG Global Advisors, a firm that bridges the gap between companies and investors on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. With over 20 years’ legal experience, the last 10 of which has been exclusively focused on ESG, Judy is a globally recognized expert on ESG and responsible investment.

Prior to forming ESG Global Advisors, Judy was V.P. & Head of Corporate Governance & Responsible Investment for RBC Global Asset Management (“RBC GAM”) and was a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Judy launched the Corporate Governance & Responsible Investment group at RBC GAM in 2012 and was responsible for developing the firm’s overall ESG strategy, working with the investment teams to integrate ESG into the investment process, overseeing all proxy voting globally and engaging with investee companies, both individually and collaboratively with other investors.

Previously, Judy was the Director of Policy Development & Chief Operating Officer for the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance (“CCGG”), a coalition of most of Canada’s largest institutional investors. Judy has a Masters’ degree in securities law and practiced law in various capacities, including as enforcement counsel with the OSC, litigation counsel with a large broker/dealer and as a partner in a Bay Street law firm.

Judy is a Board Advisor to Connor, Clark & Lunn Financial Group. She is a current member of the TSX Listings Advisory Group, the CCGG Public Policy Committee and the UN PRI’s Global Policy Reference Group. She was previously the Canada Correspondent for for the International Corporate Governance Network.