April 17, 2025 | Hosted by Signature Wealth
Last week, members of the CEOs for Sustainability network came together for an engaging Lunch & Learn on sustainable finance, generously hosted by network member Scott Tobe and the team at Signature Wealth. The session featured expert insights from Meg Haggerty and Zach Graziani of PNC’s Sustainable Finance team, along with Aaron Leaman, Chief Investment Officer at Signature Wealth.
The conversation brought together attendees from across sectors to explore how sustainability goals can be advanced through strategic financial planning. Topics ranged from sustainability-linked loans and green bonds, to trends in ethical and socially responsible investing, and the evolving role of finance teams in advancing corporate ESG strategies.
From the institutional finance perspective, PNC’s Sustainable Finance team provided an overview of how green finance has evolved in recent years. They highlighted the growing use of sustainability-linked debt instruments and discussed how PNC helps clients set credible sustainability goals and align treasury planning with broader ESG outcomes—particularly scope 3 emissions strategies. Haggerty and Graziani emphasized that the momentum around sustainable finance is increasingly being driven by ROI and operational benefits, rather than regulatory compliance or marketing. More organizations, they noted, are recognizing the financial value of integrating sustainability into their capital strategies.
Following that, Leaman offered a look at the role of sustainable investing in the public markets, sharing how individual investors are increasingly seeking to align their portfolios with their values. He addressed ethical investing, the performance of socially responsible portfolios, and the importance of clarity and due diligence in a marketplace where greenwashing remains a concern.
The group also discussed broader influences on the market, including the impact of tariffs, policy changes, and regulatory uncertainty—factors that make long-term financial planning around sustainability both more complex and more necessary.
With a strong mix of strategy, tools, and real-world experience, the session reinforced the idea that finance isn’t just a support function—it’s a key driver of sustainability outcomes.
We’re grateful to our speakers and to all who attended for helping make the session so thoughtful and engaging. Special thanks to Signature Wealth for their hospitality and for supporting this important dialogue.