2024 Career Trek
Friday, February 23
10:00am CT - 12:00pm CT
Learn from leaders from global sustainable investing organizations that represent the diversity of career opportunities in the field, and connect with mid-career professionals from the same firms to network and ask questions.
Below you will find Zoom Links and Schedule information, as well as more information about speakers and networking leaders. Use the buttons to join each session as it begins.
Moderator
David Chen
is an Adjunct Professor of Finance and Faculty Lead of Impact Investing at the Kellogg School of Management.
Dave Chen’s focus on sustainability is a result of his work in venture capital, regional economic development and energy policy. In 2007, as a visiting executive at the Meyer Memorial Trust, he developed a investing thesis on mission related investing (MRI); this tool has since been adopted by several institutions. In late 2007, he formed Equilibrium Capital Group; an investment firm focused on growth equity investment opportunities in the area of sustainability.
Previously, Dave was a general partner at OVP Venture Partners, joining the firm in 2001, focused on early stage tech venture investing. Prior to OVP, Dave founded GeoTrust (acquired by Verisign 2006) & The Ascent Group; was Vice President Marketing Mentor Graphics; was an associate at McKinsey & Co; and was an early team member in 1978-84 at Solectron. Dave has a B.A. in biology, from the University of California, Berkeley and a M.M. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Speakers
Tasha Seitz
is a Partner and founding board member at Impact Engine, where she is responsible for sourcing and diligence of early and growth stage companies. Prior to joining Impact Engine, she was a partner with JK&B Capital, a technology venture capital firm, where she was responsible for identifying, evaluating, and making investments in early stage start-up software companies. Her post-investment responsibilities included serving on boards of directors, managing growth, coaching and hiring management teams, and managing investments through exit.
Tasha also serves as Adjunct Professor of Social Impact at the Kellogg School of Management and as a member of Echoing Green's Investor Advisory Group. She is also a founding partner and board director for the Chicago chapter of Social Venture Partners. Tasha earned a BA from Wellesley College and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
Matt Christensen
is Global Head of Sustainable and Impact Investing with AllianzGI, which he joined in 2020. In his role, he is responsible for accelerating the growth of Impact Investing as part of the company’s growing private markets platform; he leads the continued integration of ESG factors across AllianzGI’s existing range of public markets products, including stewardship activities; and supports the development of new SRI products. In addition, he has investment oversight for the company’s impact investments.
Matt Christensen joined AllianzGI from AXA Investment Management, where he had been Global Head of Impact and Responsible Investment since 2011. Prior to this, he was the Founding Executive Director of the think-tank Eurosif (European Sustainable Investment Forum), where he worked for nine years. Matt started his career in 1997 as a strategy consultant at Braxton Associates/Deloitte Consulting. He then served as Director of Business Development at Motley Fool, a multimedia financial services company from 1999-2001.
Matt holds a BA in International Relations from Colgate University, an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School, and an MA in International Political Economy from University of Pennsylvania – The Lauder Institute. He has held Board positions with various impact funds, including a listed private equity fund on the London Stock Exchange and as Vice President of one of the largest microfinance funds.
Matt Azznara
is an Executive Director in Morgan Stanley’s Global Sustainability Office where he leads Product Management of digital products that support sustainable investing. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he was a Digital Product Manager at PIMCO responsible for digital capabilities including oversight of pimco.com global websites, Mutual Fund data and content, and digital marketing capabilities. Matt serves as a board member of The Doe Fund, a non-profit organization focused on breaking cycles of homelessness and incarceration. He graduated from Boston College with a degree in Management with concentrations in Marketing and Information Systems.
