The Role of Financial Institutions for Sustainable Food Systems

Jessica Smith has led the Nature programme at the UNEP Finance Initiative since 2020. For the previous 7 years she directed a consultancy firm undertaking environmental finance project development and evaluation, and leading secretariats for the Equator Principles Association and the Cross-Sector Biodiversity Initiative (applying IFC performance standard 6 on biodiversity in oil & gas, mining, and finance). She has worked extensively to mobilise and evaluate environmental finance, globally and across Africa. Her key areas of interest are mobilising private and blended finance for ecosystems (SDGs 14 and 15) and managing biodiversity-related risks in banking and investment.

Sébastien Soleille is the Global Head of Energy Transition and Environment at BNP Paribas, and is a member of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). He has more than 20 years professional experience in energy transition and environment, biodiversity and circular economy. Before joining BNP Paribas, Mr. Soleille worked at the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS), TOTAL and Deloitte.

Melanie Beyeler joined EFG Asset Management (EFGAM) Switzerland in August 2017 and is the Lead Manager of the Climate Transition Strategy. Previously, she worked at Credit Suisse where she held a variety of roles including Equity Institutional Sales and Client Portfolio Manager. Ms. Beyeler holds a Masters HSG in Banking and Finance from the University of St. Gallen. In addition, she has successfully completed the “Sustainable Finance” program at the University of Cambridge and the “Business Sustainability Strategy” program at MIT Sloan School of Management.

Victoria Leggett is Head of Impact Investing at UBP in addition to co-running a listed equity Biodiversity Restoration portfolio. She has 20 years of experience in portfolio management and analysis, and prior to UBP, worked in equities at Colombia Threadneedle. Victoria Leggett believes that collaboration is critical to systems change and is co-chair of the Investment Leaders Group’s working committee (CISL) in addition to being involved in several other initiatives including the Big Exchange, the PRI Nature Reference Group, and the UBP Biodiversity board, which has representation from several conservation experts (CCI, PPF). 

Sofía heads the Investor Outreach team at the FAIRR Initiative and is responsible for strengthening and expanding FAIRR's investor network. Previously, she led the Innovative Finance Programme of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). She also worked as a Strategy Specialist at the World Economic Forum (WEF) and as an Analyst for J.P. Morgan.