Investment is always motivated by desire to realize financial rewards, but investors are becoming more and more interested in other impacts of their investment decisions. Are they providing resources to companies whose policies have harmful effects on the environment or that adversely impact the communities that their employees live in? In the past, a maxim of the investment world was that investors could either invest to do good or invest to maximize returns. This is no longer true, and evidence from the most recent economic downturn supports a growing belief that the best return is associated with the best run companies. Tom Eggert, Emeritus Senior Lecturer and member of the Committee on Financial Matters in Retirement, will discuss the growing research regarding socially responsible investment and offer some ideas to match investment decisions with recent changes in the market (and the world). The webinar will be recorded.
Tom has been at the forefront of business and sustainability for the last twenty-five years, both teaching classes in sustainability at the University of Wisconsin and founding and serving as the Executive Director of the WI Sustainable Business Council. Tom taught the first classes on campus in sustainability and later was a co-developer of the graduate certificate in Business, Environment and Social Responsibility (BESR) at the WI School of Business. Growing out of his interest in sustainability, Tom developed the non-profit “Wisconsin Microfinance” and serves as the President of the Board. The money raised by Wisconsin Microfinance is split between a development organization in Haiti and a coop in the Philippines. Both organizations ensure that loans are made to worthy recipients in small villages hit particularly hard by recent natural disasters.
If you have preliminary questions for the speaker, please send to Program Coordinator Millard Susman at msusman@wisc.edu by Friday, February 12.
Food Pantry Contributions:
Checks payable to UW-Foundation, with "Open Seat" on the memo line may be mailed to UWRA, 21 North Park Street, Room 7205, Madison, WI 53715-1218.
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 12
Registration:
Advance registration is required. You are encouraged to register online. To register by phone or email, call the Association office. If you or your guest registered for this seminar but cannot attend, please cancel your registration online, or email/call the UWRA office.
NOTE: The weblink and virtual call information will be included in the meeting reminders registrants receive.
UW-Madison Retirement Association
21 N Park St, Room 7205
Madison WI 53715-1218
608-262-0641
retireassn@mailplus.wisc.edu
