On Wednesday, February 7th, two human rights experts, who were hired by investment ratings firm Morningstar (NASDAQ: MORN), published an independent report outlining recommendations of further steps the company should take to remove anti-Israel bias from its ratings products and services.
JLens, in collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Federations of North America and a broad coalition of Jewish community organizations, is pleased that Morningstar has agreed to adopt and implement all of these recommendations.
This follows a campaign initiated by JLens and the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, spanning almost four years, which aimed to counter the influence of BDS activists on company ESG ratings. Of the 109 companies flagged as controversial for operating in Israel and the West Bank at the start of this campaign, only 7 retain controversy ratings.
Please join JLens and experts from the American Jewish Committee, The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago on Monday 2/12/2024 from 12-12:45 pm EST / 9-9:45 am PST to unpack the newly released report aimed at eliminating anti-Israel bias in ESG ratings, explore their implications for future corporate engagement, and preview the 2024 Proxy Season.
Speakers
Marc Stern - Chief Legal Officer, American Jewish Committee
Marc Stern is a leading expert in legal advocacy on issues of concern to the Jewish community, including the new field of "lawfare"—pursuing war through the use of international legal procedures. He came to AJC after 33 years at the American Jewish Congress, where he was General Counsel since 1999 and acting Co-Executive Director since 2008. Stern has authored numerous legal briefs, published many scholarly articles, and has argued four cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He earned a B.A. at Yeshiva University and a J.D. at the Columbia University School of Law.
Rachel Lerman - Vice Chair & General Counsel, Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law
Before Joining LDB, Rachel was a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, focusing on appellate law and trial strategy in complex civil cases in state and federal courts nationwide. She is a member of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers and the State Appellate Judicial Evaluation Committee of the LA County Bar Association. She was previously a partner at the firm of Akin Gump LLP. After completing her degrees at Yale (BA) and Berkeley School of Law (JD), she served as law clerk to the late Hon. T. G. Nelson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. For over twenty years, she has done pro bono work on behalf of refugees and non-profit organizations, winning recognition from such groups as Public Counsel, the Harvard Immigration Law Clinic, and the ACLU.
Jay Tcath - Executive Vice President, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago
Jay oversees areas ranging from security to public policy, inter-group relations, to marketing, fundraising, and oversight of JUF’s Israel office. A trusted adviser to many leading philanthropists, Jay serves on the boards of several family foundations and has led over 30 trips to Israel with leaders from every level of government. An ROTC scholarship cadet at Georgetown University, he received his bachelor’s in Soviet studies from American University and a master’s from the University of Chicago. He is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow and a graduate of the national Mandel Executive Development Program. Jay served four years in the U.S. Army.
Ari Hoffnung - Managing Director, JLens
Ari has held entrepreneurial and leadership roles in the financial sector, government, and medical cannabis industry. Early in his career, Ari served as Managing Director at Bear Stearns, which became part of JPMorgan Chase. In his government role as NYC Deputy Comptroller, Ari oversaw the City’s $70 billion budget. As COO and Director at Goodness Growth Holdings, he scaled the company to a multi-state operator with 400 employees, and led its public offering. He was also the Founder and CEO of Fiorello Pharmaceuticals, later acquired by Green Thumb Industries. Ari received an MBA in Finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business and a BA from Queens College.
Dani Nurick - Director of Advocacy, JLens
Dani oversees all of JLens’ direct advocacy and engagement with corporations. Prior to JLens, Dani worked at Mercy Corps Ventures creating ESG impact metrics and scaling venture funds in Africa. Additionally, Dani has worked for a variety of organizations in the Jewish community focused on education and engagement in both the United States and Israel. Dani holds an MBA with a concentration on social impact and an MA in Jewish Professional Leadership from Brandeis University, as well as a BA in Public Health and Environmental Science from Brandeis University.