Desiree Fixler

Chair
VentureESG

about

Desiree is recognized as an advocate for change and impact in the practice of ESG investing and sustainability. As such, she is a frequent media commentator and works as a senior advisor to financial institutions and nonprofits on ESG matters. Her focus is on the challenges and detriment of greenwashing while addressing the fixes that are needed on topics including corporate governance, product development, regulation, reporting, diversity and the speak up culture.

Desiree has over 20 years of experience in both sustainable finance and investment banking. She was Group Sustainability Officer at DWS Group, where she was responsible for driving the firm’s overall sustainability strategy in its role as a corporate and as a fiduciary. It was here that she blew the whistle on what she considered to be extensive greenwashing. She highlighted the discrepancies between the firm’s public ESG claims and its internal statements and actions, and called for greater transparency and accountability in ESG investing.