Impact Interview: Melanie Steiner

Name: Melanie Steiner

Role/Function: CEO, Inspirion Group; Board Member, Nouryon & Trillium Health

What are you working on these days?

I’m working on an ESG start up in the asset management space, Integrity 2 ESG, and scaling my consulting business, Inspirion Group. 

Integrity 2 ESG is a first-of-its-kind solution for the independent certification of environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies for organizations, with an initial focus on funds and fund managers. It allows investors to gain comfort that the fund is doing what it says it is doing, and the fund in turn gains insurance against greenwashing claims. 

In addition, the certification process is aligned to key global regulations such as SFDR in Europe, as well as pending SEC and UK FCA regulations. In this way, the certification will tell you how aligned you are to the regulations, and what gaps you have in order to be compliant. Other benefits include access to capital (since many investors are concerned about ESG), as well as assistance in the firm’s ESG and climate transition journey. 

We started off with funds and fund managers, but the market is pulling us in new directions. We are now also working with banks, sports teams and non-profits, and we are moving into retail and other sectors. The solution is incredibly agile and can be aligned to any regulation or requirement, making it accessible across sectors and regions. We are excited to see where this takes us over the next year and beyond!

With Inspirion Group, most of my work has been helping organizations accelerate their ESG strategy. This includes assistance with the strategy itself (making sure it is fit for purpose), but also with the execution side – making sure that ESG is integrated into key functions and business units. 

What I have seen in my career is a lot of goals/KPIs, but sometimes a lack of knowledge of the key levers required to ensure the organization has properly embedded ESG. This is a big task and varies across sectors, but the idea is the same. ESG needs to be embedded across the value chain, and often is not. All business functions and leaders have a role to play, and this needs to be supported at the highest level through things like governance practices, incentives, executive comp and the like. I help organizations with this kind of thing.

What was the “aha” moment that sparked your interest in social impact?

I have been doing this a long time. It all started with my love of animals. When I was younger, I became very upset at the loss of biodiversity and species extinction. I then read The Diversity of Life by famous biologist E. O. Wilson and decided I wanted to do something about it.

How did you break into the social impact space?

I used to be a commercial lawyer. I went back to school and got my Masters in Environmental Law, which was the springboard to getting a job in the field. This was back when jobs weren't so plentiful in this space. But any small actions can help turn your resume green, so to speak.

Working in social impact is often about driving change. What is the skill or trait that has been most important for your work as a change agent? How did you learn or hone it?

The single most important skill in my opinion is persuasive communication. You have to do a lot of evangelizing, explaining and bringing people along for the ride. So your ability to know your audience and speak to what is important to them makes a huge difference. In this regard, all sustainability people really need to understand the business they're in so they can speak to leaders in a persuasive way.

What most excites you about the social impact space right now?

So many things! The wind is at our back now, and we are pushing on an open door. Most companies have made commitments, plus new regulations and consolidating standards are all good for the future of ESG. 

And personally, I would say that it has been very rewarding moving away from a large company into more of the entrepreneurial space, as well as more of a “plural” career which includes board service. I love that I get to be a part of things that bring me joy and fulfillment, and to work with likeminded people who are as passionate about ESG as I am. 

One of the hallmarks of my career has been to not be afraid of change, to always stretch myself, and to keep evolving and learning. I am proud of the fact that I continue to do this, and hope to do so for a long time!

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