Dear Fellow Advocates, 

As I reflect on six months in this role as Executive Director, I am beyond grateful to join in this tremendous commission given today’s climate – a time filled with uncertainty and abnormality, yet marked by resilience and perseverance. It’s a pleasure working alongside such a dynamic team of staff, board members, and partners, who consistently deliver their best efforts and anticipate the needs of not only our fellow investors but also of the movement in its entirety. 

Thanks to your support and our team’s efforts, we have made significant progress. I am proud to share some of our key accomplishments:

Communications: It’s an honor to work alongside our newest Director of Communications and Affiliate Management. Tracey Cadet-Fleming has enhanced our marketing and relationship capabilities, expanding educational outreach in shareholder advocacy and better anticipating the needs of our affiliates and clients. At IASJ, every interaction is personalized, and we pride ourselves on providing a service that is particularly tailored to the needs of our affiliates and clients. As the AGM season approaches, we plan to keep you up to speed while offering ways anyone can get involved, whether you’re an investor or a person passionate about human rights, climate justice, racial equity, and the common good.

Programs and Outreach: This July, an unprecedented collaboration of 59 Microsoft shareholders, collectively representing more than $80 million in MSFT shares, filed a shareholder proposal at Microsoft Corporation. The proposal was filed by our affiliate, the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Eastern American Area, and called on Microsoft to publish a report assessing the effectiveness of its human rights due diligence processes. Additionally, JPMorgan will add new disclosures in its proxy supplement on Nature and Social policies. The company commits to considering free, prior, and informed consent before transactions that could materially affect Indigenous Peoples. JPMorgan will also assess risks utilizing internationally recognized principles, which are referenced in its 2025 Human Rights Statement.

This October, I had the opportunity to join Ceres and ICCR for Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. And, it is with a heavy heart that I reflect on the weight and struggles our nation faces today. However, it is encouraging to note all the investors who pursue the road of justice continuously. More importantly, it was great to gain more insight from representatives while engaging in dialogue with fellow investors and investor groups. As our efforts continue, I wish to reiterate IASJ’s unflagging commitment to racial justice, as we are currently exploring ways to further the push against anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and strengthen our support for immigration rights.

Partnerships: It is undoubtedly true that if you wish to go far, you have to proceed as a community. We are truly grateful for our fellow affiliates, partners, and proxy voting and corporate responsibility clients. The heartbeat and legacy of our combined efforts are only made possible through you. As IASJ celebrates 50 years strong, we would be remiss to note that the legacy of the CRIs and ICCR is interwoven. After observing this over the past six months, it is clear our past foreshadows our future – we have to work together for the greater cause.

IASJ and The Road Ahead: As for IASJ, it is clear that significant changes have taken place, and infrastructure has been established to secure a brighter and stronger future. We have come a long way, but there are still some ways to go. Again, words cannot express my gratitude for the IASJ team and board members who make this work possible.

For the past six months, I have observed and listened to the needs of investors, partners, workers, farmers, political representatives, and corporations. It is true – we have a long road ahead, but again – it is only possible if we move forward as a community. As investors, it is our fiduciary duty to recognize materiality and the nature of our needs, which are inextricably linked to the rights inherent in life – both for people and planet. And, as faith-based investors, it is our moral duty to stand steadfast in our mission, using our collective power to be a voice in the wilderness. The truth is, as you most certainly know, it is not easy to absorb what we see today, as human rights are constantly violated and stripped back, families are being separated, and our nation sits in the throes of a constitutional crisis as the world watches. Moreover, it is difficult to witness the grave human rights violations against life throughout the world, from Gaza to Sudan. I have hope that justice will always prevail, because the blood of those who fought before us runs through us. And as Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Forward together,

Ruthly Cadestin

Executive Director of Investor Advocates for Social Justice