Highly Regarded Industry Pro to Further Expand and Deepen Key Business Elements Driving Putnam’s Sustainability Efforts

Jacquelyn (“Jackie”) S. VanderBrug, Head of Sustainability Strategy for Putnam Investments (Photo: Business Wire)

Putnam Investments announced that it has appointed Jackie VanderBrug as Head of Sustainability Strategy for the firm, a new position that will report to Putnam President and CEO Robert L. Reynolds. She will also join the company’s Operating Committee.

In helping to drive Putnam’s work in the sustainability arena, VanderBrug will lead a host of key ESG-focused business functions, such as Stewardship, Engagement, and Partnerships, and ESG Strategy and Integration. She will work closely with an array of internal partners, including Katherine Collins, Head of Sustainable Investing, and Catherine Saunders, Head of Corporate Sustainability.

A respected 30-year industry veteran, thought leader and author, VanderBrug joins Putnam from Bank of America, where she most recently served as Head of Sustainable and Impact Investment Strategy.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jackie to Putnam, where she will play an integral role in further expanding our firm’s focus in the critical realm of sustainability,” said Reynolds. “At a time when ESG-related questions are rising in complexity and intensity, we are focused on further strengthening our investment-centric approach to these issues.

“Putnam will greatly benefit from Jackie’s extensive expertise and hands-on leadership as we continue our journey in this area for clients, associates and the broader community,” he explained.

See related article: Jackie Vanderbrug Head of Impact Investing for Bank of America with Matt Bird at Greenwich Economic Forum

VanderBrug comes to Putnam from Bank of America, where she most recently served as Head of Sustainable and Impact Investment Strategy in the Chief Investment Office for Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank since 2018. In this role, she developed investment solutions, thought leadership and tools to assist clients across the wealth management spectrum in meeting long-term financial objectives while generating positive social and environmental impact.

Prior to joining the Bank in 2013, VanderBrug was a Managing Director at Criterion Ventures, where she began in 2004. Earlier, she was Co-Founder and Executive Director for Work in Progress (a non-profit network of college-based jobs), Vice President and Director of Business Development at iBASIS, Managing Associate at CSC Index, and Programming Analyst for the United States Congress.

She is active with a number of professional organizations, including U.S. Sustainable Investment Forum, Aspen Institute, Gender Smart, Trustees of the Donations, and Duke University i3 (Impact Investing Initiative). Additionally, VanderBrug is a published author on a range of subjects, such as Women, Millennials and Investing for Impact, Gender Lens Investing: Uncovering Opportunities for Growth, Returns, and Impact, “The Rise of Gender Capitalism,” and “The Global Rise of Female Entrepreneurs.”

VanderBrug has a B.S. from Calvin College and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Source: Putnam Investments