The birds, the bees and the balance sheet: case study on biodiversity, and how funds can prioritise the ‘hard-to-measure’
We all have a feeling that much of the world’s GDP is nature-dependent, and that feeling is true. But with so many urgent priorities, and with harms to biodiversity hard to measure and often only visible when already severe, biodiversity has fallen off the agenda.
Anna McDonald, PGIM’s Executive Director, Sustainability Strategy, will explore how nature loss impacts member outcomes and what asset owners around the world are doing about it, along with the barriers to action.
Anna will be joined by executive panels who will use this as a case study to explore how funds can better prioritise the hard-to-measure, yet mission-critical agenda item.
Guest speaker
Anna McDonald, Executive Director, Sustainability Strategy, PGIM
Anna is responsible for helping to shape PGIM’s sustainability strategy and co-ordinates its implementation across public and private asset classes. She works closely with PGIM’s investment teams and engages with key stakeholders, including institutional clients, regulators and industry bodies, to deliver a rigorous, investment‑led approach to sustainability and stewardship
Anna began her career in Debt Capital Markets (DCM) origination at Barclays Capital before moving to DCM distribution at Société Générale and BNP Paribas. In 2019, she moved into sustainability, where she led the Church of England’s Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG), providing ethical investment research and policy advice to the Church’s investing bodies. She joined PGIM in 2022.
Anna’s experience spanning investment banking, asset ownership and asset management gives her a distinctive and pragmatic perspective across the investment value chain, enabling her to combine sustainability expertise with disciplined investment decision‑making.
Adelaide panelist
John Piteo, CEO, Funds SA
John was appointed as Funds SA’s Chief Executive Officer effective 30 September 2023, recognising his strong leadership skills, experience, and expertise in financial management. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the corporation. John joined Funds SA in 1995 and has worked across a range of finance and investment operations related roles. In 2004, he was appointed as Funds SA’s inaugural Chief Financial Officer and served in the Chief Operating Officer role from 2016 until his appointment as CEO. John holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accountancy from the South Australian Institute of Technology (now the University of South Australia), and a Company Directors Course Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Tricia Blight, Chief Executive, Super SA
Tricia is the Chief Executive of Super SA, the South Australian Government’s superannuation fund, with over 220,000 members and $40 billion funds under management.
Her diverse experience in government financial management, administration and public policy includes roles as Chief Operating Officer in the Department for Housing and Urban Development and Executive Director, Budget and Performance Branch in the Department of Treasury and Finance, where she was responsible for delivering the state budget and providing fiscal advice to government and agencies.
Tricia is a board member on the SA Water Corporation Board and the Urban Renewal Authority Board of Management. She has a Bachelor of Commerce (Corporate Finance) and Master of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Adelaide and is a qualified CPA.
Sydney panelist
Vasyl Nair, CEO, Team Super
Vasyl is the Chief Executive Officer of Team Super (prior to this, Vasyl held the roles of Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Chief Risk Officer and Chief Strategy Officer). Vasyl is a keen advocate for the ongoing development of the superannuation sector, with active participation in a number of different parts of the industry. He has served as a director of an Australian fintech organisation, specialising in superannuation and investment administration. Vasyl was appointed to the Board of the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) as Director in January 2025.
Vasyl has a strong background in law, corporate finance and strategy, having held senior roles across at some of Australia’s largest financial services institutions. Vasyl holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hon), Bachelor of Commerce, Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and an Executive Master of Business Administration. He is admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW as a solicitor, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has achieved a Certificate of Business Excellence from the Haas School of Business, U.C. Berkeley.
Brisbane panelist
Robyn Petro, former CEO, Energy Super
Robyn is an experienced executive and non-executive director with more than 35 years' experience leading organisations through growth, transformation and change. As former Chief Executive Officer of Energy Super, she led the organisation through significant industry reform, strong growth and two successful mergers. Today, she serves on a number of boards and board committees and works with leaders to strengthen governance, strategy and organisational performance. Robyn is recognised for her ability to bring people together, align diverse perspectives and create the conditions for strong decision-making and sustainable outcomes.
Melbourne panelist
Louise Davidson, AM, CEO, ACSI
Louise has spent her career with a focus on building long-term value for the millions of beneficiaries of Australian superannuation funds. Most recently this has included elevating the importance of environmental, social and governance factors in managing material financial risk in super fund investment portfolios.
As CEO of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) since 2015, Louise oversees ACSI’s program of company engagement, research and policy advocacy, backed by 30 years of senior experience in the financial services and ESG sectors. Her tenure as ACSI CEO has seen significant improvements in the way listed companies manage important issues including boardroom diversity, climate risk and human rights.
Prior to being appointed ACSI CEO, she was Investment Manager, ESG at Cbus superannuation fund.
Louise is the co-founder of the Mother’s Day Classic, which has raised over $50 million for breast and ovarian cancer research since 1998. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 for her significant service to the superannuation sector and to breast cancer research.
She is a director of Chief Executive Women, the chair of the Client Advisory Board for EOS at Federated Hermes, and a former director of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the International Integrated Reporting Initiative and former chair and director of the Mother’s Day Classic Foundation.
Shali Lingaretnam, Head of Investment Stewardship, VFMC
Shali is Head of Investment Stewardship at the Victorian Funds Management Corporation (VFMC), which manages approximately A$100 billion on behalf of the State of Victoria and its public sector agencies. In her role, Shali leads VFMC's investment stewardship, ESG integration and sustainability activities, helping to manage long-term investment risks and opportunities across the portfolio. Shali has more than 25 years’ experience across asset management, investment banking and responsible investing. Before joining VFMC, she was Head of Investments at CCI Asset Management, overseeing a A$2 billion portfolio, and previously held investment roles with Macquarie Bank, Aviva, Lonsec and IOOF Investment Management.
She is a guest lecturer at Macquarie University and a facilitator at Melbourne Business School, contributing to executive and professional education across sustainable finance, ESG, and capital markets.
Shali holds a Master of Applied Finance from Macquarie University and a Bachelor of Business from RMIT University.
Facilitator
Chris Briant, PGIM Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand
Chris is Managing Director, Institutional Client Group Australia and New Zealand, responsible for expanding and managing PGIM’s relationships with asset owners in Australia and New Zealand.
Prior to joining PGIM in 2024, Chris was a Managing Director with Morgan Stanley Investment Management, having joined its subsidiary Parametric Portfolio Associates as Parametric's first Australasian CEO in 2013 where he led the buildout of its operational, client and product growth. Before that, Chris was CEO of a boutique investment manager Tibra Investment Management for two years and previously led business development for Russell Investments Australasia for four years. Earlier in his career, Chris was on the executive team of BNP Paribas’ custody operation and worked with BT Funds Management for seven years in investment operations and client management.
A Chartered Accountant, he started his career in accounting firms including Arthur Andersen. Chris' qualifications include a business degree from University of Technology Sydney, a graduate diploma in applied finance, a graduate certificate in financial planning and CIMA from IMCA. He is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute, as well as CFA Institute qualifications in Real Estate, Infrastructure, Private Equity and Private Credit.
Adelaide
Date: Monday 27 July
Time: 12.15PM - 2.00PM ACST
Venue: Thomsons
Address: 7/19 Gouger Street
Sydney
Date: Tuesday 28 July
Time: 12.15PM - 2.00PM AEST
Venue: EY
Address: 200 George Street
Brisbane
Date: Wednesday 29 July
Time: 12.15PM - 2.00PM AEST
Venue: Thomsons
Address: Level 28/1 Eagle Street
Melbourne
Date: Thursday 30 July
Time: 12.15PM - 2.00PM AEST
Venue: Thomsons
Address: Level 23, Rialto South Tower, 525 Collins Street
Cost
FEAL members - $0 & non-members $145 (inc GST)
*If you are a non member & would like to attend please contact FEAL.
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