Green Century Capital Management Announces New President

October 10, 2013 — Leslie Samuelrich has been named President of Green Century Capital Management, Inc. Green Century administers the Green Century Funds, the first family of no-load environmentally responsible mutual funds.

“Green Century is thrilled that Leslie is stepping into this role,” said Green Century Capital Management board member, and immediate past President, Wendy Wendlandt. “Since she joined the firm, she has played a pivotal role in increasing assets, showcasing our long history of environmental screening and advancing our successful shareholder advocacy program.”

Green Century Capital Management currently manages two mutual funds, the fossil fuel free Balanced Fund (GCBLX) and the Equity Fund (GCEQX) that invests in the longest running socially responsible index, the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index. Trillium Asset Management, the oldest socially responsible investing firm, serves as the sub-advisor to the Balanced Fund and Northern Trust serves as sub-advisor to the Equity Fund.

Samuelrich joined the firm in 2012 and most recently held the role of Senior Vice President. She is the former Chief of Staff of Corporate Accountability International and Executive Director of Green Corps. During her tenure with both of these non-profit organizations, she was responsible for increasing revenue sources and building strong brand awareness. Since arriving at Green Century, Samuelrich has become a leading shareholder voice in the fossil fuel free divestment movement. She has garnered media attention around the political impact of divestment, educated investors about the possible risks of investing in fossil fuels long-term and opportunities for reinvestment, and increased the availability of Green Century’s fossil fuel free Balanced Fund.

The fossil fuel free divestment movement, led by 350 .org global warming activist Bill McKibben, is calling for an end to investments in the 200 fossil fuel companies with the most energy reserves. The current divestment movement is modeled after and inspired by the South African divestment campaign, where the investment community played a critical role in shaping the political context and helping bring about the end of Apartheid.

Green Century’s management team continues to include Kristina Curtis, Senior Vice President, who has overseen the operations, administration and finances for the Green Century Funds since the organization’s founding in 1991 and Amy Puffer, who continues to serve as Green Century’s Chief Compliance Officer.

Founded and wholly owned by the non-profit, public interest advocacy organizations, the Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) coming out of Earth Day 1990, The Green Century Funds are designed to achieve competitive returns while putting investors’ money to work for cleaner air, cleaner water, and greater corporate environmental responsibility. Green Century’s shareholder advocacy program has filed dozens of shareholder resolutions and pressured companies to make environmental improvement on energy, water, wilderness and political accountability since 1991. Last year, for instance, Green Century successfully worked with Starbucks*, the largest coffee chain in the world, to stop purchasing palm oil that is contributes to deforestation, increased carbon emissions and loss of habitat for endangered species such as orangutans.