Institute for Sustainable Finance Appoints New Executive Director

The Institute for Sustainable Finance has announced the appointment of a new executive director. Sara M. Alvarado, a veteran investment professional with a focus on climate change and sustainability, will help the leadership team drive forward ISF’s mandate to build Canadian sustainable finance capacity.

“I have closely followed the work of the ISF since its launch as I deeply believe its mission is key for achieving Canada’s coordinated, timely and successful low-carbon transition goals. I am very enthusiastic to join the team and to tackle the big challenges as well as the opportunities ahead of us,” said Sara Alvarado.

Most recently Sara was head of risk and chief anti money laundering officer (CAMLO) at Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), where she was responsible for building the inaugural enterprise risk management function.

Prior to joining CIB, she worked as senior officer, infrastructure new products and special transactions at the European Investment Bank (EIB), with a mandate to catalyze private-sector investments in the EU with focus on climate change and sustainability.

“Sara will play a critical role in guiding the ISF through its next period of significant growth and impact in building Canada’s sustainable finance sector,” said Sean Cleary, chair, ISF, and BMO Professor of Finance, Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. “We look forward to working with Sara to extend the work of the ISF across Canada and beyond.”

Before moving to the EU, Sara spent 25 years in the investment industry in Canada in private placements and infrastructure at Manulife Financial and Sun Life, and in finance regulatory reporting and equity research at Scotia Capital.

Sara is currently co-chair at the World Economic Forum’s Infrastructure 4.0 Initiative. She is a CFA charter holder, and past board member and programming chair at CFA Society Toronto. She holds an MBA from the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University.

About the Institute for Sustainable Finance

Formed in 2019 with a mandate to align mainstream financial markets with Canada’s transition to a prosperous sustainable economy, the ISF continues to generate relevant research, provide education and training, and build collaborations that will advance the implementation of sustainable finance practices.

Since its launch, the ISF has grown rapidly and established itself as a trusted expert and resource for industry, media and government. Highlights of achievements to date include the September, 2020 release of the Capital Mobilization Plan — landmark research providing a capital blueprint for Canada to meet its 2030 climate targets; and the April 2021 release of the TSX Emitters report — the first-ever assessment of TSX companies’ climate target and disclosure performance.

Additionally, the ISF instigated the establishment of the Canadian Sustainable Finance Network, an independent research and educational network with membership across the country. ISF also has a committed and Advisory Board that supports its progress. The Institute for Sustainable Finance is based at Smith School of Business, Queen’s University.

For more information, contact:

Maya Saryyeva
Associate Director
Institute for Sustainable Finance
maya.saryyeva@queensu.ca