Our fourth session of 2024 featured a conversation with Julia Wilson, Beth Byington, and Lauren Wisbeski of MSCI. Discussion covered MSCI’s unique place in the ratings ecosystem and their evolution of engagement with issuers over recent years. We also discussed how issuers can communicate most effectively with MSCI, particularly to resolve Controversies.

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Speaker biographies

Julia Wilson, Executive Director, Head of Global ESG Issuer Relations, MSCI

Julia Wilson is the Head of ESG Issuer Relations for the Americas at MSCI. Leveraging its position at the center of the issuer and investor communities, the ESG Issuer Relations team is responsible for engaging with public companies, fostering corporate disclosure best practices, and expanding ESG & Climate education and thought leadership around the world. Previously, Julia held a variety of roles at a global data and technology company, including the creation and leadership of its ESG platform, and sustainability insights and thought leadership.

Beth Byington, Managing Director, Global Head of Corporate ESG and Climate Solutions, MSCI

Beth Byington is the Global Head of Corporate ESG and Climate Solutions at MSCI where she leads the firm’s commercial strategy to develop ESG and Climate product offerings for Corporates and Corporate Advisors.

Prior to her current role, Beth spent thirteen years in MSCI’s Client Coverage Organization, most recently as a Senior Account Manager where she was responsible for global relationship management with some of MSCI’s largest clients. In this capacity Beth drove commercial growth across all MSCI’s Product Lines (Index, ESG and Climate, Analytics, and Private Assets) and interfaced with senior decision-markets to position MSCI as a preferred partner. In earlier years Beth held several leadership roles within the Index Client Coverage division, including Head of Index Licensing for Financial Intermediaries, Hedge Funds, and Third-Party Distribution partners. In these positions she was responsible for driving new business and developing new commercial initiatives. Beth is also actively involved with MSCI’s Women’s Leadership Forum, for which she serves on the global steering committee.

Before MSCI Beth worked at Lehman Brothers on the Equity Research Sales desk supporting Asset Managers and Hedge Funds. Beth started her career in the Information Technology sector as a Management Consultant at IBM and later at Deutsche Bank.

Beth holds a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University and a M.B.A. in Finance from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Lauren Wisbeski, Senior Associate of ESG Issuer Relations for the Americas, MSCI

Lauren Wisbeski is a Senior Associate of ESG Issuer Relations for the Americas at MSCI. The Issuer Relations team engages with public corporations and other issuers to promote effective disclosure and foster a greater understanding of MSCI ESG ratings. Prior to MSCI, Lauren led disclosure strategy for the largest public companies in North America at CDP and helped companies strengthen their sustainability positioning through GRI-aligned reporting on the Sustainability and Social Impact team of a public relations firm.