Who We Are | ESG Forward

Our Story

We believe that ESG is an important part of the investment research process. For financial advisors, the confusion that surrounds its application creates an opportunity to isolate what matters most – acting as a trusted partner to guide their clients to better outcomes.

ESG Forward is designed to support and maintain that role. We know it can make a difference for financial advisors, and we’re excited to be part of the solution.

Meet the Team

CEO

Evan Zall

With more than 25 years in strategic marketing, Evan believes that strong communications can resolve a great number of complex challenges in the world. In addition to his role with ESG Forward, he owns Longview Strategies, a strategic marketing and communications firm that applies an impact-oriented marketing mindset to the intersection of sustainability, finance, and business.

Evan is a former member of the Boston Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO) Impact Committee, an advisory board member of New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, and a contributing author to the upcoming compendium on sustainable investing, “Aligning Hearts, Minds and Wallets: A Collective Experience (Reshaping Capitalism for the Greater Global Good).”

President

Amy Zal

With two decades of experience in the marketing and entertainment industries, Amy has a history of finding new ways to make exciting things happen.  In addition to her role with ESG Forward, she is co-owner and principal of Longview Strategies.

She began her career leading the marketing efforts of a dot.com start-up, helping it grow to a thriving online entertainment leader. She then moved on to develop and lead marketing and fundraising initiatives for WGBH/PBS TV series and multimedia projects including Nova, American Experience, and Frontline.  She earned her MBA in Entrepreneurship from Babson College.

Meet the Advisors

Glenn Grant

Glenn is an Entrepreneur Coach & Chief Visionary at Selfassembled Ventures, a management consulting firm dedicated to helping self-made entrepreneurs increase the value of their businesses and escape the day-to-day grind through coaching, mentoring, and leadership team facilitation.

Prior to Selfassembled, Glenn leveraged 20+ years of experience in IT Services to transform G2 Tech Group into a four-time Inc 5000 Award-winning cloud MSP, serving the SMB SaaS market. In 2018 Glenn sold G2 to Great Hill Partners, an industry-leading growth equity firm.

Aspen Grant

With more than 20 years of experience in training and development, human resources, and business leadership, Aspen has helped various size businesses across multiple industries ranging from enterprise healthcare to tech startups.

Aspen is currently a Managing Partner at Selfassembled Ventures, a coaching company for self-made entrepreneurs. Prior to starting Selfassembled Ventures, Aspen helped found, grow and ultimately sell G2 Tech Group, a next-generation MSP, to Great Hill Partners in 2018.

Blake Underhill

Blake is Owner and President of Industrial Safety & Rescue, which provides stand-by rescue services, safety management, training and equipment to various markets. He has created and run six different service businesses focused on the construction market over the years, and he looks to bring innovation to markets that are often entrenched in ‘the old ways’.

Through his work with EO Accelerator and Network for Teaching Entrepreneurs, Blake has learned the value of coaching and fostering entrepreneurship through shared experiences.

Andrew Wetzel, CFA

With two decades of sustainable investing experience, Andrew has witnessed the evolution of what was once a niche part of the investment industry. As Managing Director of Sustainable Investing at F.L.Putnam, Andrew brings together security-level expertise as an Analyst and Portfolio Manager, an understanding of the broad range of client sustainability objectives, and proven execution in strategic business development.

Andrew is an active member of the CFA Society of Boston in a leadership role focused on the Society’s Sustainable Investing Initiative.

What's our mission?

ESG Forward empowers ﬁnancial advisors with marketing content and education that supports their authentic integration of ESG research and sustainable investing.
What's our vision?

Signiﬁcant noise in the ﬁnancial industry is clouding the true function of ESG and its related potential to drive capital into authentic sustainable investment strategies. We will clear the way for simple, informed marketing content that helps ﬁnancial advisors better communicate about ESG with their clients and prospects.
What's our why?

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data has been established as an evolutionary step towards better investing. It provides greater insight into investments by exploring factors that are not routinely exposed through traditional financial due diligence. ESG inputs include carbon emissions, water use, diversity, employee treatment, and dozens of other data points that create a fuller picture of how companies operate. Research analysts have an obligation to embrace data that is material to the companies they report on – ESG is no different. It is a set of information that broadens our ability to pinpoint the potential value of an investment. Known for its powerful contribution to the sustainable investing arena, ESG also creates a path for financial advisors to align their clients’ portfolios with their values. Client demand for this option is clear, with over $30 trillion of the world’s capital placed into ESG-related investments. With clients increasingly demanding ESG integration, financial advisors gain a true advantage when they understand how it works and can effectively communicate its importance. However, advisors often lack proper background and materials to understand and explain how and why they integrate ESG. We launched ESG Forward after years of hearing from financial advisors that they need a better way to generate content and conversation about ESG. The landscape is still evolving, debates on best practices muddy the waters, and keeping up with relevant content and education has been a source of frustration. Our goal is to help provide clarity and content, so that advisors who authentically incorporate ESG into their practices have a cost-effective resource they can rely on.
What's the relationship with Longview Strategies?

ESG Forward is a subsidiary of Longview Strategies, a marketing and communications firm with specialized expertise in ESG and sustainable investing.

Our Story

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