During a significant interview at the New York Stock Exchange with David Nelson on the Traders Network Show, Fiona Reynolds, then-CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), outlined her vision for transforming global financial markets and the role of ESG in responsbale investment. The interview, conducted as part of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UN SSE) Initiative, preceded the NYSE closing bell ceremony. Now, nearly a decade later, we revisit that pivotal moment and reflect on where PRI and SSE stand today.

The 2015 Vision

At the time of the interview, Reynolds led an organization that had already gained substantial influence, with 1,300 signatories representing $59 trillion in assets. During her NYSE appearance, she articulated PRI’s core mission: “to create a sustainable financial system by working with all the actors (stakeholders) involved—investors, companies, exchanges, and financial organizations.”

Reynolds emphasized the critical role of stock exchanges in this transformation, stating, “We need exchanges to show leadership and help companies be transparent about their ESG practices.” Her vision positioned stock exchanges as central players in promoting corporate transparency and sustainability practices.

The Partnership Approach

Reynolds highlighted PRI’s strategic partnership with the UN SSE Initiative as fundamental to achieving these goals. This collaboration focused on:

• Empowering stock exchanges to guide listed companies toward greater transparency
• Integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into investment practices
• Aligning financial markets with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

A Vision Realized

Reynolds’ statement that “Responsible investment is an inevitable agenda…there’s no turning back” proved prophetic. By 2023, PRI’s influence had grown substantially:

• Signatory base expanded from 1,300 to over 5,000 members
• Assets under management increased from $59 trillion to over $120 trillion
• Stock exchanges worldwide adopted comprehensive ESG disclosure frameworks
• The UN SSE Initiative continued to strengthen collaboration between exchanges, investors, and companies

The transformation Reynolds envisioned during her NYSE interview has largely materialized, with responsible investing becoming a mainstream component of global finance. Her emphasis on collaboration between various market participants and the need for transparent ESG practices has become standard practice in financial markets worldwide.

The mission she outlined at the NYSE continues to guide the development of sustainable finance, with PRI and the UN SSE Initiative maintaining their roles as key drivers of responsible investment practices and corporate transparency in global financial markets. A prediction fulfilled. Held at the iconic New York Stock Exchange, the Traders Network Show with host David Nelson interviewed Fiona Reynolds, former CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), as part of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UN SSE) Initiative. The event, featuring an in-depth discussion before the UN SSE NYSE closing bell, captured the progress of responsible investment at the time. Now, nearly a decade later, we revisit that pivotal moment and reflect on where PRI and SSE stand today.

The United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges (UN SSE) Initiative is a collaborative platform that works with stock exchanges, investors, regulators, and companies to promote sustainable investment and corporate transparency. Established in 2009, the SSE is co-convened by several UN organizations, including the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Global Compact, the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), and the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI).

About Fiona Reynolds

Fiona Reynolds is a globally recognized leader in responsible investing and sustainability, known for her transformative influence in advancing the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into global finance. With a distinguished career spanning decades, she has been a driving force behind embedding sustainability into investment decision-making processes and fostering alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

In 2024, Fiona Reynolds joined FAIRR as President, taking on a strategic advisory role to further enhance the initiative’s impact within the broader ecosystem of investors, funders, and partners. Her vast experience in ESG, responsible investment, and sustainable finance uniquely positions her to strengthen FAIRR’s mission of building a sustainable global food system and addressing critical ESG risks in animal agriculture.

Prior to her role at FAIRR, Fiona served as the CEO of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), a United Nations-supported organization that promotes sustainable investment practices. Under her leadership, PRI expanded significantly, growing its network to include thousands of signatories representing tens of trillions of dollars in assets under management. She played a pivotal role in mainstreaming ESG considerations across financial markets and advocating for systemic change in the investment industry.

Fiona’s previous roles also include serving as the CEO of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST), where she championed corporate governance, social equity, and climate action within Australia’s financial system.

Her contributions to responsible investment have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Finance by the Financial Times. Fiona is also a sought-after speaker and advisor, serving on various boards and advisory groups that drive progress in sustainability and finance.

As a passionate advocate for a sustainable future, Fiona Reynolds continues to inspire change and create lasting impact through her leadership, collaboration, and strategic vision.

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