Desiree Fixler

Advocate for Change, ESG Investing and Sustainability

Is recognized as an advocate for change and impact in the practice of ESG investing and sustainability.  She speaks about the challenges and detriment of greenwashing while addressing the fixes that are needed, providing her expert insight on topics including corporate governance, regulation, reporting standards, diversity and the speak up culture.

Desiree has over 20 years of experience in both sustainable finance and investment banking.  She was Group Sustainability Officer at DWS Group, where she was responsible for driving the firm’s overall sustainability strategy in its role as a corporate and as a fiduciary.  It was here that she blew the whistle on what she identified as extensive greenwashing.  She highlighted the discrepancies between its ESG claims and its internal procedures, and called for greater transparency and accountability in ESG investing.

She has held senior roles at JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank and Zais Group.  Desiree has built and managed ESG investing and structured credit businesses, delivering overall policy and analytical frameworks, investor strategies as well as product innovation.

Her track record of product innovation includes several award-winning and market transformational products. This includes the development of the JECI, the first tradeable credit index, which evolved into iTraxx and CDX indices, as well as a series of impact securitizations and ESG private debt products.

She is a frequent media commentator and works as a senior advisor to financial institutions and nonprofits on ESG matters.

Desiree holds a BSc Economics (Hons) from the London School of Economics (LSE). She is Chair of VentureESG and a member of the CFA’s ESG Technical Committee.  She is a member of the Board of MMCC, one of NYC’s largest community centers, and a member of the LSE’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Group.