Leading responsible investment expert to deepen FIA’s ESG and sustainability function
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mike Cerchiaro | +1.404.495.8591 | mcerchiaro@forestinvest.com
ATLANTA – April 20, 2021 – Forest Investment Associates (FIA) is pleased to announce the hiring of MaryKate H. Bullen to fill the new role of Director of Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG). Bullen will be responsible for the firm’s ESG programs and will chair the company’s cross-functional Stewardship Committee, providing leadership across the organization as it identifies and pursues sustainability and ESG opportunities.
Bullen has more than a decade of forestland investment experience, having specialized in the development and implementation of innovative approaches to sustainable investments in forestry, carbon markets and conservation. Bullen’s experience spans North and South America, Australasia and Southeast Asia. Prior to FIA, Bullen led the responsible investment program for New Forests, a forestry investment firm. There she also led corporate communications and media relations. Her bio can be found here.
“MaryKate’s background, professional experience and her passion for sustainable forestland investing and ESG will serve our clients well and promote leadership in this increasingly important area. We are thrilled to welcome her global expertise and world-class talent to our team.” said Mike Cerchiaro, Senior Vice President, Director of Investment Management for FIA.
Marc Walley, FIA’s President adds, “The addition of MaryKate creates a very strong ESG and sustainability proposition for our firm. Her expertise will help FIA clients address and measure the ESG aspects of their timberland investments in meaningful and important ways to further demonstrate how forest investments yield multiple layers of value to our clients’ portfolios.”
“Forestry as an asset class is well positioned to support institutional investors in meeting both financial and non-financial portfolio objectives, such as managing their carbon footprint, contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, supporting biodiversity and wildlife management, and promoting vibrant rural communities where the forest sector is an attractive employer and a good neighbor,” explained Bullen. “Through its ESG systems and procedures, FIA will continue to work with clients and business partners to deliver these combined economic, social and environmental objectives.”
Bullen is an active participant in industry initiatives for responsible investing in forestry and natural climate solutions. She is also an advocate for the development of ESG and impact investing best practices, working with investment and industry groups to advance issues of greenhouse gas accounting in forestry, climate risk management, ESG disclosure and standardized impact metrics. Bullen currently serves on the Advisory Councils of the Women’s Forest Congress and the Social License Platform and with working groups for the Greenhouse Gas Protocol and Verra.
Information on FIA’s leading position on Sustainability and ESG can be found here.
About Forest Investment Associates
Founded in 1986, Forest Investment Associates (FIA) is a Registered Investment Adviser and environmental steward, helping clients across the world invest in sustainable forestland. The firm’s mission is to provide high-quality, sustainable forest investments that deliver superior performance while cultivating client relationships based on mutual trust and exceptional service. The firm manages over 2 million acres of timberland in the United States, Brazil and Chile. Additional information can be found at www.forestinvest.com.
