Mesirow Financial Equity Portfolio Managers, Kathryn Vorisek
and Leo Harmon, Visited Marquette's AIM Program this Past Week
These experienced equity managers utilize ESG factors
in this investing process
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| Co-Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager |
On Monday, February 3rd, 2020, Kathryn Vorisek
and Leo Harmon were the guest lecturers in the AIM program.
The students in the
Class of 2021 were able to hear their insights on small cap equity investing
and ESG (environmental, social and governance) considerations.
Their visit and
the ESG topic was especially timely since it is Mission Week at Marquette University.
Dr. David Krause, AIM program director, said, “Kathy and Leo
were clear in their belief that excess equity returns can be produced by investing
in attractively valued stocks that are poised to appreciate due to catalyst
driven earnings and cash flow growth – and that are good global citizens.”
 |
| Co-Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager |
The Mesirow Funds managed by Kathy and Leo in their Sustainable Equity funds incorporate environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors
into their investment decisions to derive favorable performance and risk
characteristics for their portfolios.
Kathy Vorisek stated, “Our team seeks to
make a positive impact on the environment and society as well as encourage incremental
improvements through active engagement with the companies we own.”
Krause added, “It was a pleasure to host Kathy and Leo –
they have been gracious hosts to us when we visit Chicago, so it was nice to
have them on campus this week. The AIM students enjoyed their presentation – and
the discussion about sustainable investing was an great was to kick off Mission
Week.”
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| Kathryn
Vorisek and Leo Harmon were the guest lecturers in the AIM program |
Kathryn Vorisek is a Senior Managing Director of Equity
Management with Mesirow Financial. She earned a BS in Finance from Marquette
University and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at
Northwestern University. As chief investment officer, she oversees all aspects
of the investment process for the Small Cap Value and SMID Cap Value
strategies, a role she has held since 1998.
Leo Harmon (CFA, CAIA) is also a Senior Managing Director of
Equity Management. He is the co-chief investment officer who along with Kathy oversees
all aspects of the investment process. Leo has more than 25 years of industry
experience - he joined Mesirow Financial when the firm acquired Fiduciary
Management Associates in 2016. At FMA
Leo was Director of Research, portfolio manager for the Small Cap Value and
SMID Cap Value strategies and a research analyst covering the Financial
Services sector. Prior to joining FMA in 2003, he was a portfolio manager at
Allstate Insurance Investments.
 |
| Their
Sustainable Equity funds incorporate environmental, social and governance factors into their investment decisions |
Kathy and Leo explained how this link ESG factors to
performance, risk, profitability, and growth of a company and incorporate this
analysis into their overall assessment of a potential investment.
They utilize
third-party data sources to develop their own proprietary ESG score, which they
track and monitor over time. They believe this process results in a list of
favorable investments that informs their stock selection process.
Leo added, “We also proactively communicate with management
teams to build awareness of ESG factors and encourage positive incremental
change in support of ESG initiatives. Our aim is to include companies in the
portfolio that have strong governance, emphasize positive community impact and demonstrate
high-quality characteristics.”
