University Pension Plan Ontario

Throughout October, UPP’s Inclusion Employee Resource Group celebrated #LatinAmericanHeritageMonth, providing opportunities to explore the rich cultural heritage of Latin individuals and communities, including geography, traditions, cuisine, and artistic contributions. Activities included a mega map game and informative signs about the demographics, cultural practices, festivals, music, and Indigenous groups of different Latin American countries. Last week, we concluded with a lunch event featuring treats from a local Brazilian bakery, creating a welcoming environment for everyone to celebrate together.

We are thrilled to share that Aaron Bennett, CFA, UPP’s Chief Investment Officer, and Laura Brownell, UPP Board Trustee, have been named to Benefits and Pensions Monitor's 2024 Hot List! The Hot List annually highlights 39 exceptional leaders in the benefits, pension, and institutional investment sectors who have made significant contributions to their fields. Congratulations to Aaron and Laura for this well-deserved honour! See the full list here: https://lnkd.in/eHBt4fWf

A report published today by the The Conference Board of Canada, commissioned by UPP, the HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan), and OPTrust, examines the significant economic impact of defined benefit (DB) pension plans in Ontario. The report, titled “Defined Benefit Pension Plans: Supporting Ontario’s Economy,” explores how these plans contribute to retirement security and drive economic growth. Key findings highlight their influence on consumer spending, business development, job support, and generating tax revenues at all levels of government. As a DB pension plan, UPP proudly serves over 40,000 members from universities and affiliated organizations across Ontario, providing secure and predictable lifetime retirement income. This new report emphasizes that the benefits of DB pension plans extend far beyond individual households; they play a vital role in supporting the broader economy. Read a summary of the report on our website: https://lnkd.in/eQzHJGmf

As we consider the impact of investments and companies on nature and climate change, we are deepening our knowledge on biodiversity loss and how we can support sustainable business practices. Joining the FAIRR Initiative earlier this year—and more recently the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum and Nature Action 100 (https://lnkd.in/esjPWvkD)—are important parts of our learning journey.

UPP team members were pleased to join investors from around the world at the recent #PRIinPerson conference in Toronto, with representation from across the organization, including investment, legal, responsible investment, and communications – reflecting our commitment to integrating sustainable practices across all facets of our organization. UPP’s President and CEO, Barbara Zvan, was a featured panelist at a plenary discussion exploring strategies for overcoming barriers to responsible investment. During her remarks, she emphasized the critical importance of implementing foundational sustainable finance policy measures in Canada. We were also thrilled to participate in conference side events, including Maria Clara Rendon’s presentation at the Asset Owners Breakfast and Delaney Greig's interventions on the Labour Rights Investor Network panel. Finally, we welcomed university sector investors for a special event in partnership with SHARE—Shareholder Association for Research and Education. Thank you to all who participated and engaged in these vital discussions to continue building partnerships, shaping strategy, and driving progress.

Last week at the Innovation and Resilience Forum in Quebec City, Christophe L'Ahelec, CFA, Managing Director and Head of Active Public Markets at UPP, who led a thought-provoking panel on multi-strategy funds. This discussion not only demystified the role these funds play in investment portfolios but also highlighted their potential as a cornerstone for navigating today's complex financial landscape. A special thank you to Institutional Connect for facilitating this important dialogue among institutional investors.

“I think the greatest achievement is the fact that it’s brought such a community of like-minded investors to work together and really to contribute to best practices, allowing each of those investors to contribute in the way that they found most impactful and where they can have the best expertise to contribute." - UPP President & CEO Barbara Zvan What has the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance achieved since 2019? As part of a video series celebrating its recent 5th anniversary, #NZAOA principals and co-convenors, including UPP’s President & CEO Barbara Zvan, offer their insights on the Alliance's greatest achievements. https://lnkd.in/dtbXsksD

As we consider the impact of investments and companies on nature and climate change, we are deepening our knowledge on biodiversity loss and how we can support sustainable business practices. Joining the FAIRR Initiative earlier this year—and more recently the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum and Nature Action 100 (https://lnkd.in/esjPWvkD)—are important parts of our learning journey.

UPP and SHARE—Shareholder Association for Research and Education were pleased to recently co-host a breakfast and panel discussion for university sector investors alongside the #PRIinPerson 2024 conference.   We were honored to have three esteemed panelists—Sandra Carlisle, Head of Responsible Investment at Universities Superannuation Scheme (Ltd) (USS), Michael Cappucci, Managing Director at Harvard Management Company, and Ioana Circo, MBA, CFA , Investment Advisor at the Université de Montréal—share their invaluable insights on the challenges and opportunities currently facing the sector. A special thank you to our moderator, Kevin Thomas, CEO of SHARE, for steering the conversation with expertise, and to our engaging emcee Brian Minns, Senior Managing Director of Responsible Investing at UPP.   We look forward to continuing these vital conversations in the future.

We were thrilled to co-host yesterday's Student Investment Fund Conference, in partnership with CIBC Mellon and Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), welcoming student investment fund leaders from across the Canada. Our Chief Investment Officer Aaron Bennett, CFA participated in a thought-provoking macroeconomic panel, sharing insights on key macroeconomic trends, market dynamics, and effective career strategies. During dedicated networking sessions, members of our People team were able to directly engage with passionate students and highlight placement opportunities that will empower the next generation of leaders in the financial sector. A big thank you to our co-hosts CIBC Mellon and IMCO for fostering an enriching environment that encourages experiential learning and collaboration.