NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) announces the appointment of Deborah Winshel as a Managing Director and global head of impact investing. In her role, Ms. Winshel will help BlackRock unify its approach to impact investing through the launch of BlackRock Impact, a dedicated platform catering to investors with social or environmental objectives worldwide. Ms. Winshel will also be responsible for overseeing BlackRock’s Global Corporate Philanthropy program.
BlackRock Impact will work closely with the firm’s global investment teams and leverage its data and analytic capabilities to develop scalable, innovative investment solutions that also meet clients’ desired societal outcomes. BlackRock currently manages over $225 billion in strategies designed to align clients’ portfolios with their objectives and values, which will now be integrated under BlackRock Impact. Ms. Winshel joins the firm with a distinguished career in non-profit management and venture philanthropy, during which she took an active role in shaping charitable giving programs while defining and measuring successes based on the programs’ lasting effects.
"Today, many clients are looking for investment opportunities that advance social and financial goals at the same time. While the roots of this movement can be traced back many years, the frequency and complexity of these mandates are increasing. More and more, clients are looking to measure the returns on their investments both by the societal and financial outcomes they can help to create. With her experience at Robin Hood, and its focus on programs with measurable impacts, Deborah is the ideal choice to help BlackRock develop scalable impact investing offerings through both public and private markets,” said Laurence D. Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock.
Currently BlackRock offers a number of investment strategies which incorporate environmental or social considerations, including:
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Values Based –Utilizes screens to exclude securities, aligning
investors’ portfolios with their values.
- BlackRock currently manages more than $214 billion in Values Based mandates.
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ESG Consideration – Focuses on investing in companies that
display strong track records in the governance, social or
environmental areas.
- The firm recently launched the iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF.
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Impact Investing – Pursues measurable societal or environmental
outcomes alongside financial goals.
- To date we have participated in over $1 billion in client mandates for investing in Green Bonds. With over $1.5 billion of commitments and AUM, BlackRock’s renewable power investment platform is one of the largest in the world, offering clients compelling opportunities to meet their investment needs.
Most recently, Ms. Winshel was President and Chief Operating Officer of The Robin Hood Foundation where she oversaw the development of the organization’s strategy for long-term growth and sustainability. Under her leadership, Robin Hood spearheaded cutting-edge research and innovative initiatives in vital areas. She was critical in forging close ties with city officials to amplify and replicate Robin Hood’s most successful programs, improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.
Previously, Mrs. Winshel was the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Prior to working in the non-profit sector, Mrs. Winshel spent more than a dozen years working in New York and London for JP Morgan’s Investment Bank, culminating as a Managing Director advising key corporate clients on a variety of strategic issues. She is a founding board member of Immigrant Justice Corps and a member of the Economics Club of New York.
“BlackRock is uniquely positioned to serve investors who are interested in combining outcome-oriented societal benefits with their investment objectives. The firm’s next generation of these ground-breaking products will leverage BlackRock’s global reach, in-depth research and institutional quality investment capabilities. I am incredibly excited to join this world-class organization and further my passion for improving lives through targeted, innovative and measurable investments,” said Deborah Winshel.
Ms. Winshel will report jointly to Laurence D. Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, and Richard Kushel, Senior Managing Director and Chief Product Officer.
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At December 31, 2014, BlackRock’s AUM was $4.652 trillion. BlackRock helps clients meet their goals and overcome challenges with a range of products that include separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®. Headquartered in New York City, as of December 31, 2014, the firm had approximately 12,200 employees in more than 30 countries and a major presence in key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information, please visit the Company’s website at www.blackrock.com | Twitter: @blackrock_news | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock
Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses or, if available, the summary prospectuses which may be obtained by visiting www.iShares.com or www.blackrock.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice. The opinions expressed are as of February 9, 2015 and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The material is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, accounting, legal or tax advice or investment recommendations.
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