BOSTON, MA– AEW Capital Management, L.P. (AEW), a global real estate investment manager, announced the appointment of Jess Bissey as Managing Director and Chief Sustainability Officer, a newly created position.
Ms. Bissey will assume leadership over AEW’s longstanding Environmental, Social Governance and Resiliency (ESG+R) Committee, working with executives and professionals across the firm to drive a cohesive approach to ESG+R performance and its integration into AEW’s investment processes. Based in Boston, Ms. Bissey will report to Jon Martin, CEO, AEW North America.
“AEW has long been committed to prudent property stewardship, and we welcome Jess in this new role designed to elevate our strategic focus on ESG+R principles. Working across our global team, she will bring her extensive experience and vision to augment AEW’s systematic approach to ESG+R, building on our efforts to enhance our property and portfolio performance in a way that delivers long-term value for our clients, the environment, and the communities in which we invest,” said Mr. Martin.
Jess brings to AEW deep expertise in leading and advising companies on sustainability, governance, social impact, and transformational change. In taking the ESG+R helm at AEW, she will implement innovative systems, enhance responsible transparency, and foster exploration and adoption of best practices, while leading a team of subject matter experts for the firm’s operating partners, investors, property managers, and other vendors.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead AEW’s strategy for ESG+R,” said Ms. Bissey. “AEW has an impressive industry track record, and I look forward to building on their momentum to break new ground in this space. I am eager to leverage the firm’s ESG+R impact to meet our growth and stewardship objectives while contributing to the betterment of the built environment.”
Prior to joining AEW, Jess was Director of ESG at Booz Allen Hamilton, where she launched and led an enterprise-wide ESG function and was responsible for establishing a data-driven, integrated approach to corporate sustainability, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. While at Booz Allen, she also served as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. Previously, she was Deputy Chair of the Social Enterprise and Impact Investing Practice Group at the global law firm, Morrison & Foerster LLP, and practiced law at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.
Jess earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, a B.A. from Cornell University, and a professional certificate in Corporate Citizenship Leadership from the Boston College Carroll School of Management’s Center for Corporate Citizenship. Jess has been a frequent speaker and guest lecturer on social innovation, impact investment, and ESG.
