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Transforming Finance: ESG Leader Propels Responsible Investments to New Heights

The Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise celebrates 20 for 20 honoree Linda Giuliano, MBA ’02, founder of BrightWorld ESG.

By: Staff
Headshot of Linda Giuliano with a 20 for 20 graphic identifier overlaid on the photo background.

Linda Giuliano, MBA ’02, founder of BrightWorld ESG, an environmental, social, and governance advisory firm

Driven by personal experiences with inequality and prejudice, Linda Giuliano, MBA ’02, has relentlessly committed herself to sustainability. Her efforts are marked by raising awareness of sustainable finance, influencing organizational change, mentoring individuals, and engaging in philanthropic initiatives. As a graduate of the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Giuliano is one of the 20 for 20 Notable Alumni honored this year in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise (CSGE) at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.

Giuliano is principal and founder of BrightWorld ESG, an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) advisory firm dedicated to advancing sustainable finance by partnering with stakeholders to integrate ESG principles into strategy, processes, and policies. Prior to BrightWorld, she served as head of responsible investment for AllianceBernstein, where she spearheaded the development of a responsible investment framework to evaluate relevant ESG factors and initiated the firm’s first corporate responsibility report.

One man and 3 women standing side by side in front of a red backdrop with the Cornell logo and text that reads: Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
Linda Giuliano (right) at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise in New York City, October 10, with (left to right) CSGE faculty director Mark Milstein, Minjia Yang, MPA ’15, and CSGE executive director Monica Touesnard

Believing that sustainability spans across all sectors and disciplines, Giuliano recognizes the influential role universities and business schools play in advancing sustainability efforts. Reflecting on being named one of CSGE’s 20 for 20 Notable Alumni, Giuliano states that “The center plays a pivotal role in education and equipping the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to foster a more equitable, just, and sustainable world. I am deeply grateful for this recognition and for the center’s ongoing commitment to shaping responsible leaders.”

Learn more about Giuliano in this Q&A. 

Navigating a career in sustainability

Q. Describe the biggest challenge you encountered as you built your career in sustainability and how you overcame it.

Giuliano: Over a decade ago, as AllianceBernstein’s first head of responsible investment, I encountered significant resistance, since sustainability was not a priority for most U.S. organizations. Portfolio managers doubted its relevance to shareholder value and feared mandates to exclude certain investments. However, European asset managers and owners were beginning to prioritize ESG considerations. By educating investors on ESG integration, highlighting that many were already evaluating companies on these dimensions, and identifying early adopters, interest began to grow.

Q. Can you share any insights or lessons learned from your experience that may inspire current students who want to be sustainability leaders? What advice would you give them?

Giuliano: Sustainability efforts should align with an organization’s strategy and be embedded in its goals across all levels. It isn’t the responsibility of just one person or group—every employee should be involved. The organization’s culture plays a critical role in this, with leadership setting the tone from the top. There are numerous opportunities for organizations to enhance their sustainability practices. Consider what is crucial for the company’s success, the industry it operates in, and the sustainability factors that matter most to its stakeholders. Focus on the most relevant issues and be persistent in driving positive change. Companies that successfully integrate sustainability into their strategy and culture are better positioned to gain a competitive advantage, and you can be a change agent.

Making an impact

Q. What drives your commitment and focus in environmental and/or social impact? What impact do you want to have in the world?

A woman’s face on the NASDAQ jumbotron in Times Square with the text: “NASDAQ celebrates Stakeholder Impact Foundation’s newest fellows as thought leaders of board governance and stakeholder of capitalism.”
Linda Giuliano on the NASDAQ jumbotron in Times Square in July 2024 after she completed the Stakeholder Impact Foundation’s Stakeholder Directors Program

Giuliano: My dedication to fostering change is deeply rooted in my experiences with inequality and prejudice, both as a female executive in a male-dominated industry and as a partner to an African American. In my career, I have mentored and created opportunities for underrepresented individuals. That commitment has extended to my personal life, where I give back through mentoring, volunteerism, and philanthropy. Ensuring equitable access to jobs, housing, food, and education is crucial for individuals to thrive and contribute to society. My goal is to raise awareness and drive change by influencing organizations, mentoring individuals, and engaging in philanthropy.

Q. Describe a project or initiative related to sustainability that you are particularly proud of and how it has influenced your role, company, industry, or community.

Giuliano: I developed and led the responsible investment strategy for AllianceBernstein. Despite initial challenges, AllianceBernstein emerged as a formidable asset manager known for rigorous ESG analysis and a strong corporate commitment to sustainability. Under my leadership, we created a responsible investment framework to evaluate relevant ESG factors, which also helped to identify opportunities for engagement. This strategy enriched the research process, aiming to improve client outcomes.

Additionally, I initiated the firm’s first corporate responsibility report, underscoring our commitment to transparency and aligning our practices with those we expect from investee companies. These initiatives enhanced AllianceBernstein’s reputation and contributed to its success, leaving the firm in a far stronger competitive position.

The future of sustainability efforts

Q. What role do you see business schools and universities playing in advancing sustainability initiatives and how can alumni contribute to this effort?

Giuliano: Universities, and business schools in particular, must play a crucial role in advancing sustainability. Sustainability spans all disciplines and should be thoroughly integrated into the curricula. Ideally, both business and education will evolve to a point where sustainability is not discussed as a separate topic but is inherently considered within the risks, opportunities, and impacts of managing an enterprise. Alumni can contribute by sharing their insights with faculty and administration, bringing their experiences and approaches into various educational contexts.