Catherine A. Saunders Head of Corporate Sustainability and Public Policy Putnam Investments
Ms. Saunders is Head of Corporate Sustainability and Public Policy and reports directly to Putnam President and CEO Robert L. Reynolds. As a leader of over 30 years, Ms. Saunders advocates for all Putnam stakeholders, driving innovation around environmental, social, and governance issues as well as public policy impacting Putnam's purpose and mission. She also leads Putnam's Corporate Sustainability Committee and is a member of the Diversity Advisory Council, Putnam Pride Alliance, and Women of Putnam. Ms. Saunders has been in the investment industry since she joined Putnam in 1987. Ms. Saunders leverages an extensive background in serving both retail and institutional business lines at Putnam. Previously, she led the firm's internal consulting team. In this role, Ms. Saunders developed Putnam’s three pillars of value-added programming: wealth management, practice management, and investment management. She also led Putnam’s early career program for Putnam Retail Management and served as Head of Putnam's Registered Investment Advisory Business/Private Bank and Trust. Earlier, Ms. Saunders led the firm's North American institutional business and served as a Regional Director, covering the West region, for Putnam's retail business.
Ms. Saunders speaks frequently on the topics of leadership, women and wealth, diversity and inclusion, and client experience. She received the Top Women in Asset Management Award from Money Management Executive in 2017. She is a member of the YMCA of Greater Boston General Board of Directors and a board member of Invest in Others, a charitable foundation that recognizes philanthropic contributions made by financial professionals and firms. Ms. Saunders holds her Series 6, 7, 24, 26, 63, and 65 licenses with FINRA.
Experience: Western Union Account Executive, 1984–1987 Education: Northeastern University, M.B.A. University of New Hampshire, B.A. Northwestern University, Kellogg Women's Senior Leadership Program McKinsey Academy, “Unlocking the Potential of Women” 2020