New York: J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) has appointed Leslie Rich as its new Global Head of Sustainable Investing Research Insights, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to delivering sustainability-focused investment research and portfolio insights for clients worldwide.
In her new role, Rich will lead the development and delivery of research and analytical insights across the firm’s Global Sustainable Investing & Stewardship platform, helping investment teams and clients better understand how sustainability trends influence portfolio performance and long-term investment decisions.
The appointment comes as institutional and retail investors continue to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into investment strategies amid the global energy transition and evolving regulatory landscape.
Strengthening Sustainable Investment Research
Announcing the appointment, Christian Preussner, Global Head of Sustainable Investing and Stewardship at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, highlighted Rich’s expertise in utilities research and clean energy finance.
“Leslie’s blend of deep utilities research experience and energy transition expertise—spanning clean energy finance and decarbonization strategy—adds real momentum to our sustainable investing research insights capability. It will further strengthen how we translate sustainability developments into rigorous portfolio-relevant analysis for clients globally.”
Her appointment reflects the growing importance of translating complex sustainability developments into actionable investment insights as investors increasingly seek resilient, long-term portfolios.
A Return to J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Rich returns to J.P. Morgan Asset Management after previously spending 12 years with the firm as a Senior Analyst covering the U.S. Utilities sector within Equity Research.
Since leaving the firm in 2022, she has built extensive experience across clean energy finance, policy, and academia.
Most recently, Rich served as a Senior Consultant for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF), supporting initiatives related to energy infrastructure and financing.
She has also been a Lecturer at Columbia University, where she taught graduate students in the Sustainability Management program through the course “Financing the Clean Energy Economy.” Her teaching focused on project finance modeling, while her consulting work addressed electricity demand growth, generation solutions, and grid decarbonization strategies.
Growing Demand for Sustainable Investment Expertise
Commenting on her appointment, Rich said she was excited to rejoin the organization at a time when sustainable investing continues to attract strong global interest.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to J.P. Morgan Asset Management in the role of Global Head of Sustainable Investing Research Insights. The interest in sustainability and responsible investing globally continues to be robust and the team is committed to delivering analysis and insights to inform client portfolios.”
Her appointment comes as asset managers increasingly expand ESG research capabilities to help investors navigate opportunities and risks associated with climate change, clean energy, biodiversity, regulation, and corporate sustainability performance.
By strengthening its sustainable investing research function, J.P. Morgan Asset Management aims to provide institutional and retail investors with deeper, data-driven insights that support long-term value creation in an evolving global investment landscape.
