Speakers

Carter has over 20 years of experience at the forefront of integrating nature into sustainable development and corporate sustainability across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the United States. Currently, Carter is an Executive Director at Pollination where she focuses on nature-based solutions and advises clients who have food and fiber supply chains. Prior to joining Pollination, Carter was a Senior Manager in EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice where she advised food/agriculture, real estate, infrastructure and tourism businesses in designing and implementing ESG goals and strategies, programs and impact measurement, with a focus on natural capital. Carter’s previous experiences include launching and leading the Ecosystem Services program and the Science for Nature and People Partnership (SNAPP) for the Wildlife Conservation Society, where she worked with governments, multi-lateral institutions, NGOs and businesses to advance conservation and sustainable development globally. Carter completed a Post-doctoral fellowship at the Earth Institute of Columbia University and has a M.Sc. and D.Phil. from the School of Geography and the Environment of Oxford University. She has co-edited two books and written over 60 articles, reports and publications on biodiversity and ecosystem services, climate change, poverty reduction and economic development. Carter is currently an Adjunct Associated Professor in the School for Foreign Service at Georgetown University and serves on the SNAPP Science Advisory Council, the Technical Advisory Council for the UNDP Equator Initiative, Terra Alpha Investments Advisory Board, HQ Capital Ayuda Deep Impact Fund Expert Group, and co-led a USG working group on Natural Capital Accounting in the United States.

Erin Billman has over a dozen years of experience in environmental work. She is executive director of the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN) and leads both global communications and strategic initiatives. Previously, she worked with Tompkins Conservation as Global Communications Lead. Erin came to conservation by way of management consulting, first at Bain and then at Blu Skye focused on environmental strategy for NGOs, corporations, and industry alliances. Erin holds an MBA in sustainable business and the environment from Wharton.

Jessica oversees coverage of companies within the Industrials and Materials sectors in the US and Canada for the BlackRock Investment Stewardship team, where she is responsible for engaging with public company management teams and boards of directors on material ESG risk factors on behalf of BlackRock’s clients. She is also responsible for voting BlackRock's shares at these companies' annual meetings. A key focus area within her sectors includes the assessment of climate- and nature-related risks, in the context of a company’s long-term outlook and broader considerations for a transition to a lower-carbon economy. Jessica also regularly engages on topics such as governance, compensation, board composition, human capital management, activism, M&A, and strategy.

Jessica is BlackRock’s representative on the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which aims to create a risk management and disclosure framework for organizations to report and act on nature-related risks. Jessica brings over 13 years of experience in ESG-related roles and financial services; before joining BlackRock, she was on the Stewardship and Corporate Governance team at TIAA. Prior to working at TIAA, Jessica provided financial planning to wealth management clients. Jessica began her career at Moxy Vote (TFS Capital), a start-up focused on proxy voting and retail shareholder advocacy efforts.

Jessica is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and holds various securities licenses. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in English.

Rajat Panwar (phonetically R-uh-j-uh-t P-un-w-aa-r) is an Associate Professor of Responsible and Sustainable Business Practices at Oregon State University. His current research focuses on corporate engagement with biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration. He advises global companies and multilateral agencies on these and related topics.

Managing Director of Indigenous relationships at N4J.

Troy is a co-founder and CEO at Earthshot, which is financing nature restoration projects at planetary scale. He previously co-founded RIZOME, a pioneer in climate-positive bamboo lumber, and worked in project finance for renewable energy and agriculture projects. He is passionate about restoring human relationship with non-human nature and creating scaled institutions that honor the sacredness of life.