US SIF’s Maria Lettini: Why Sustainable Investing Is Here to Stay
In the latest episode of Dollars & Change: The Expert’s Guide to Sustainable & Responsible Investing, Pete Krull sat down with Maria Lettini, CEO of US SIF, during the Sustainable Investment Forum conference in Washington, D.C.
The conversation began with Maria sharing her journey into sustainable investing, from starting as a traditional investment banker at JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank to becoming a leader in sustainable finance. She earned her master’s in Environment, Politics, and Globalization at King’s College, and then went on to work at UNPRI and FAIRR, where she helped investors understand the risks and opportunities tied to global food systems. Her path ultimately led her to US SIF, the leading network for sustainable investing in the U.S.
For 40 years, US SIF has been at the forefront of sustainable investing. From helping shape conversations about apartheid-era divestment to today’s ESG debates, US SIF has played a critical role in combating disinformation about ESG, advancing policy through efforts like the Sustainable Investment Caucus in Congress, and protecting shareholder rights.
Despite the pushback against ESG investing, Maria believes the momentum for responsible investing is undeniable. She pointed to three areas of opportunity:
- $2.1 trillion was invested into the energy transition globally in 2024, and the energy transition industry employs twice as many Americans as the fossil fuel industry
- As climate risks escalate, investing in stronger, more adaptive and resilient infrastructure will be key.
- With 99% of Gen Z and 97% of Millennials interested in sustainable investing, Maria sees values-driven investing as “table stakes” for financial advisors.
Despite political headwinds, Maria expressed optimism about the human spirit and the growing power of individuals and investors to drive change. From consumer choices to investment decisions, she believes voices are rising louder and stronger in support of sustainability.
To learn more about aligning your portfolio with sustainability, resilience, and innovation, listen to the full episode here.
Check out some of our recent episodes:
- Terra McBride, Chief Marketing Officer at Prime Capital Financial (PCF), the parent company of Earth Equity Advisors, interviews Pete on the evolution of SRI.
- Maggie Kulyk, the CEO and founder of Chicory Wealth, shares their journey from divinity into sustainable investing.
- Brandon Hatton, President and Chief Investment Officer at Conscious Wealth, shares his unique approach to wealth management, emphasizing purpose and abundance.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Share your feedback or suggest future topics by contacting us at info@earthequityadvisors.com.
Be good. Invest better.
The Earth Equity Team
