Simon operates at the intersection of economics, finance and sustainability and has extensive international experience as an economic adviser, investment analyst and sustainability consultant across finance, corporate and not for profit sectors.
Simon works with RIAA’s 500+ member organisations with the goal of delivering on RIAA’s mission of promoting, advocating for, and supporting approaches to responsible investment that align capital with achieving a healthy and sustainable society, environment and economy.
Simon is active across the region and internationally in responsible investment and sustainable finance initiatives. He sits as an advisory member to the Australian Sustainable Finance Institute, working group member of the Toitū Tahua Centre for Sustainable Finance, Chair of the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance, as well as a member of the National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in New Zealand.
Ross Piper is the Chief Executive Superannuation at Australian Ethical, an $8 billion superannuation fund with over 100,000 members across Australia. He has over 25 years of leadership and management experience in corporate and non-profit contexts. Prior to Ross’ appointment with Australian Ethical, he was CEO of Christian Super for 5 years. He also served with World Vision International for several years in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and various countries of the former Yugoslavia.
During his career Ross has held a number of positions in the corporate sector, primarily in investment banking and mining. He was Head of Corporate Risk for Macquarie Bank for several years, and his early professional experience was gained in Indigenous communities and the mining sector, where he worked in the area of training and community development. For six years he served as a Director and Founding Chair of AgroInvest, a large microfinance bank serving rural families in Serbia and Montenegro, and currently sits on various other boards for organisations focused on social enterprise and technology. He is currently Chair of the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (www.responsibleinvestment.org).