The US SIF: The Sustainable Investment Forum will host Jane Gilbert, Miami Dade County's Chief Heat Officer, as its headline speaker at the 2025 conference, highlighting the critical intersection of climate adaptation, community resilience, and sustainable investment strategies.
Gilbert, a pioneering public official who became the world's first Chief Heat Officer in 2021, will discuss the complex challenges and economic opportunities presented by extreme heat. Her expertise spans public-private partnerships, climate mitigation, and urban resilience, offering conference attendees unique insights into how climate challenges can drive innovative investment approaches.
The two-day conference, scheduled for June 26-27 at the Conrad Hotel in Washington, DC, will explore pivotal topics including clean energy development, political landscape dynamics, indigenous rights, climate risks, and shareholder engagement strategies. US SIF CEO Maria Lettini emphasized the conference's significance, describing it as an opportunity to chart a new trajectory for sustainable investing during a period of significant industry transformation.
Conference panels will address critical sustainable investment themes, examining clean energy approaches, navigating politically challenging environments, and understanding complex climate-related financial risks. The event precedes a members' advocacy day on Capitol Hill, where participants will engage with congressional representatives to promote sustainable investing principles.
A highlight of the conference will be the presentation of the 2025 Joan Bavaria Award, which recognizes global sustainability champions. The award honors innovative leaders driving meaningful environmental and social progress through investment strategies.
As global temperatures rise and climate-related risks intensify, Gilbert's keynote represents a crucial moment for investors seeking to understand and mitigate environmental challenges. Her work in Miami, one of the United States' most vulnerable metropolitan areas to climate change, provides a real-world perspective on the economic imperative of proactive climate adaptation.
The conference arrives at a critical juncture for sustainable investing, with US SIF members representing $5 trillion in managed assets. By bringing together institutional asset managers, wealth advisors, researchers, and policy experts, the forum aims to accelerate the transition toward more resilient and equitable investment practices.
