Cornerstone Capital Inc. Hires Institutional Sales and Marketing Executives
New York, NY (PRWEB) July 21, 2014 -- Cornerstone Capital Inc. has hired two business experts to new posts on its executive team, it was announced by Erika Karp, founder and CEO.
Alice Petrofsky, CFA, was named Executive Director, Institutional Business Development, reporting to Tanya Khotin. Karen Benezra joins the firm as Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications, reporting to Karp at Cornerstone Capital Group.
“With the addition of these two exceptional professionals, we further position Cornerstone Capital Group to articulate a vision of capitalism where predictive insight is drawn through the systematic analysis of environmental, social and governance factors in the investment process,” said Karp.
Petrofsky joins Cornerstone from UBS Investment Bank, where she ran the US Emerging Europe equity sales desk.
“Alice’s nearly two decades of experience in institutional research sales at global institutions as well as boutique firms has enabled her to form truly deep relationships with mainstream institutional investors,” noted Karp. “We are excited to leverage Alice’s unique understanding of the diverse investment styles and interests of institutions, and to offer these clients the full breadth and depth of our research capabilities and network engagement.”
Prior to UBS, Petrofsky held senior sales roles at UniCredit Markets and its predecessor firms, HVB and CA-IB Securities. Alice began her capital markets career at Prudential an eight-year stint as a buy-side financial and research analyst. She holds a BA in Economics and History from Rutgers University.
“I’m thrilled to be part of the Cornerstone Capital Group. Having the benefit of a long career in traditional capital markets at large global firms, I’m energized by the many opportunities we have at this very ambitious start-up. And I’m confident that our research team, which integrates ESG and Wall Street professionals, will develop uniquely differentiated products that will add value to our institutional clients’ investment processes,” said Petrofsky.
As the firm’s Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Benezra will be responsible for digital content, media relations and strategic partnerships.
“Bringing Karen aboard to guide Cornerstone’s purpose-driven brand messaging will add value and creative excellence to our business that’s supported by empathy and passion,” said Karp. “Her marketing and research expertise and strong client service relationships will help us tremendously as we work to evolve the next generation financial services firm.”
“As someone who believes in the power of brands to engage with people and transform the world around them, I’m excited to work with the great group of professionals at Cornerstone and our stellar Global Advisory Council,’’ said Benezra. “I look forward to helping our firm, our clients and investors articulate their sustainability strategies and translate that potential into action.”
Benezra comes to Cornerstone from The Nielsen Co., where she served for seven years as founder, VP-Executive Director of Nielsen Life360, an insights practice that uses digital ethnography and panel analytics to understand consumer attitudes and mindsets. Her research team’s efforts informed product development, marketing and strategic business decisions for global clients in the packaged goods, retail, technology, entertainment and media space.
Previously, she held a series of reporter and editor positions during a 12-year career at the Adweek Magazine Group, home to leading industry trade publications. From 2000 to 2007, Karen served as Editor of Brandweek, leading a staff focused on marketing, brand identity, consumer behavior and media topics. She wrote and edited columns and award-winning features geared to top agency, brand management and c-suite audiences, launched Brandweek.com and its associated digital vehicles and expanded the Superbrands and Marketers of the Year programs. Earlier, she was National Editor at Adweek and a business journalist and marketing columnist for Gannet Newspapers, White Plains, NY. She earned an MS from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a BA from Brooklyn College.
About Cornerstone Capital
Founded in 2013, Cornerstone Capital Inc. is a woman-owned financial services firm based in New York, offering investment banking and strategic consulting and, in the near future, investment management capabilities. The mission of the firm is to bring the discipline of sustainable finance to the mainstream of the capital markets. With the systematic analysis of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in the investment process, the Cornerstone Capital Group advises both investors and corporations on how to optimize their financial and business decision-making processes. Cornerstone’s Board of Directors, Global Advisory Council and Staff partner with organizations including the World Economic Forum, the Clinton Global Initiative, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and the Principles for Responsible Investment to work towards collaboration and transparency in the global capital markets.
Karen Benezra, Cornerstone Capital Group, http://www.cornerstonecapinc.com, +1 (212) 874-7400 Ext: 122, [email protected]
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