Our team brings diverse skills to assessing ESG issues that matter to fundamental performance, identifying sustainability solutions that offer potential for profitable growth, and analyzing stocks that benefit from these issues.
A week in the life of an active manager
We aim to create a holistic approach that is greater than the sum of its parts. Read about a small subset of the total research and investment activity for our team from a week of our team’s meetings in November 2022, as a way to bring these processes more vividly to life.
Team members
Katherine Collins, CFA, MTS, Head of Sustainable Investing
Ms. Collins is Head of Sustainable Investing, responsible for leading Putnam's investment research, strategy implementation, and thought leadership on environmental social, and governance (ESG) issues. In addition, she is a portfolio manager of Putnam Sustainable Future Fund, Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund, and related ESG-focused exchange-traded funds and separately managed accounts. Ms. Collins manages the Sustainable Equity team, which collaborates with portfolio managers and analysts on ESG integration by assessing the fundamental relevance of ESG issues at a security level and the potential for alpha generation and risk mitigation at a portfolio level. She joined Putnam in 2017 and has been in the investment industry since 1990.
A recognized thought leader, Ms. Collins was named to Forbes 2021 list of leaders “50 Over 50” who are shaping the future of finance. She provides analysis of current and emerging trends in sustainable investing, publishes Putnam’s annual Sustainability and Impact Report, and is the author of The Nature of Investing: Resilient Investment Strategies Through Biomimicry. Ms. Collins also serves on numerous boards, including Santa Fe Institute, Omega Institute, and Harvard Divinity School Dean's Council.
Years in the industry: 34
Years at Putnam: 7
Years in the industry: 13
Years at Putnam: 7
Alexander Rickson, CFA, Portfolio Manager, Quantitative Analyst
Mr. Rickson is a Portfolio Manager on the Sustainable Equities team and a Quantitative Analyst, covering equities. Based in Putnam's London office, he is responsible for portfolio construction, quantitative research, and risk management for a range of investment strategies. As a key member of the Sustainable Equities team, Mr. Rickson interprets environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data and its application to the processes of risk management and portfolio construction. He joined Putnam in 2002 and has been in the investment industry since 2000.
Prior to joining Putnam, Mr. Rickson was an Account Manager at State Street Global Advisors from 2001 to 2002 and a Fund Administrator at Jupiter Unit Trust Management from 2000 to 2001.
Mr. Rickson earned a B.A. from the University of Sheffield.
Years in the industry: 24
Years at Putnam: 22
Samuel Alpert, Analyst
Responsible for conducting valuation of companies and making buy/sell recommendations, Mr. Alpert focuses on sustainable investing and health care.
Years in the industry: 6
Years at Putnam: 6
Devin Ahearn, Analyst
Responsible for conducting valuation of companies and making buy/sell recommendations, Ms. Ahearn focuses on sustainable investing and e-commerce companies.
Years in the industry: 5
Years at Putnam: 5
Mary Catherine Landy, ESG Integration Analyst
Responsible for research on investment themes to complement fundamental analysis, Ms. Landy focuses on issuer and regulatory analysis and corporate engagement project management.
Years in the industry: 3
Years at Putnam: 3
Michel Boulos, CFA, CAIA, Senior Investment Director
Responsible for product positioning and competitive analysis, Mr. Boulos is a member of the Global Investment Strategies group.
Years in the industry: 22
Years at Putnam: 3
Get to know our team.
Frequently Asked Questions | Sustainable Investing
How does the Sustainable Equity team collaborate to enhance research across Putnam?
The Sustainable Equity team produces stock-specific research and thematic investment research that is shared with the entire organization. In addition, the team collaborates with Putnam’s investment professionals to incorporate analysis of financially material ESG issues in research and investment processes.