Takeaways from the Ontario Teachers' Portfolio Company Leaders Conference
Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) recently hosted its biannual Portfolio Company Leaders Conference in Toronto, marking the first gathering since 2019. The conference brought together leaders from 120 companies operating in over 30 countries. The discussions underscored a period of rapid change in the macroeconomic environment, disruptive technological shifts, and evolving leadership expectations.
“Adapting to change is more than a requirement of continuing to operate. At Ontario Teachers’, we see it as an opportunity to deploy capital where others can’t, and to leverage our long-term focus to make a positive impact as we deliver returns to our members,” says OTPP.
As the business landscape becomes increasingly complex, leaders are facing growing pressure to consider diverse stakeholder views and address social and political issues.
Carla Harris, senior client advisor and leadership expert at Morgan Stanley, emphasized the importance of bringing one's authentic self to work and provided practical advice, including creating clarity, listening to diverse viewpoints, and developing other leaders. “The new dominant population in the workforce is demanding transparency, inclusivity, and feedback,” Harris says.
Generative AI, exemplified by the rapid growth of ChatGPT in early 2023, is no longer just a consumer phenomenon.
Nine out of 10 leaders expressed curiosity, optimism, or excitement about AI's potential to enhance productivity and competitiveness. While acknowledging the need for talent investment, leaders also highlighted the importance of setting guardrails to mitigate potential risks associated with AI.
Conference attendees discussed the ongoing transformation toward a net-zero economy, highlighting the shift from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. “While that transformation won’t be smooth, investment is flowing into new technologies and to countries which have earmarked billions to benefit economically from the energy transition,” OTPP says.
Portfolio companies also shared their progress in decarbonization efforts, focusing on improving building efficiency, transitioning to cleaner energy sources for company vehicles, and investing in clean energy initiatives.
“There is exponential growth happening, offering myriad climate solutions. There are reasons to be hopeful—and there are very real opportunities within our reach,” says Anna Murray, senior managing director and global head of sustainable investing at Ontario Teachers’.
