Hancock Natural Resource Group (HNRG), a Manulife Investment Management company, announced March 25 that Eric Cooperström has joined the firm as managing director, impact investing and natural climate solutions – a newly created role.
Cooperström will be responsible for enhancing the sustainability and responsible investing capabilities for Manulife Investment Management's timberland and agriculture teams, said the company in an announcement. “He will also work closely with them to develop and support an investment thesis and value proposition for clients interested in impact-first investments.”
Cooperström, who is based in San Francisco, reports to Brian Kernohan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Private Markets, Manulife Investment Management.
"We are excited to have Eric onboard as his expertise and background will be integral in developing our impact-first investment strategies," said Kernohan, Chief Sustainability Officer, Private Markets, Manulife Investment Management. "We believe forests and farms are natural climate solutions, and we see removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in trees and soils as a viable option for investors who are looking to optimize and prioritize carbon sequestration."
Prior to joining Manulife Investment Management, Cooperström was a Senior Director at NatureVest, the impact investment arm of The Nature Conservancy, where he was responsible for asset management and for developing the conservation impact investment strategy. He is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a Master of Arts in International Relations and International Economics and the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.
