MM graduate Garrett Jones on integrating sustainability and finance.
Steeped in the world of finance and insurance, Kelowna-based Garrett Jones was keen to explore how to integrate sustainability into his career when he joined the UBC Okanagan Master of Management in 2019. Since graduating, he has stepped into a new role as the Director of Sustainable Finance with the Delphi Group. He shares how the MM helped him map out a new, purpose-led career path.
What drew you to the MM program at UBCO?
Two key aspects drew me to the program. One was an opportunity to pursue my academic goal of obtaining a graduate degree while still being able to continue my professional career. The second was the applied project element of the program, which provided a unique opportunity for me to explore a topic that I was particularly passionate about: the coming together of sustainability and finance.
What were the biggest takeaways you took from the program?
Throughout the program I evolved as an academic, researcher, thinker, professional and human. A few of my biggest takeaways were not just on a professional level, but personal as well. I learned how to improve my time-management skills and became more adept at approaching topics critically and with curiosity. The program taught me how to communicate and apply my skills to companies and individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Mostly, I learned how to make people care about what I cared about, which in my line of work is an invaluable tool.
For someone who is unfamiliar with sustainable finance, can you explain what it is and why it’s important?
Sustainable finance is a broad and evolving topic, but it is commonly thought of as the consideration of environmental, societal and governance (ESG) issues when deploying capital. In other words, examining an investment’s (debt or equity) impact on the environment, society and their corporate governance structure. This is important, because it identifies all the risks associated with a business or a project—such as the amount of greenhouse gases they emit or their diversity, equity and inclusion policies—and helps to mobilize capital to support businesses and projects that are having positive impacts on the environment and society.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
The opportunity to collaborate and work across government, industry and academia in pursuit of a more sustainable, prosperous and socially just future.
What do you consider to be your biggest career milestones?
Two come to mind. I was humbled and honored to be named a Canadian Credit Union Association National Young Leader in 2020, for the work I did with First West Credit Union on their ESG strategy. The second was the opportunity to join The Delphi Group to develop and lead their sustainable finance strategy, which happened recently, in February 2022.
Where do you hope to be five years from now?
I hope to still be contributing to the advancement and integration of sustainability into business. Ideally, I hope the concept of sustainable finance is no longer something that has to be identified, but rather just incorporated into our idea of finance itself.