Career Reflections

Turning 60: Reflections on My Career and the Evolution of ESG for Good

This week, I turned 60—a milestone that naturally invites reflection. Not just on life itself, but on purpose, impact, and the choices that have shaped my journey. One theme has remained constant throughout my career: the belief that we can make a difference. This conviction has been strengthened by my professional experiences—working alongside multimillionaires with the power and resources to create meaningful change, yet often choosing otherwise.

The Genesis of My Interest in ESG

In 2007, after years of working in high finance for one of these multimillionaires, I sought to forge my own path. I briefly ventured into renewable energy, drawing inspiration from the Talmudic story of Choni and the Carob Tree—a lesson in planting for the next generation. At the time, clean tech and renewables were still emerging industries, and while I was deeply intrigued, my efforts in the sector were ultimately unsuccessful.

Realizing the timing or my own approach wasn’t right, I pivoted to CFO roles in real estate development in Eastern Europe, followed by a return to financial markets through forex trading, where I had prior experience. These ventures gave me exposure to two of the cornerstones of wealth-building: real estate and financial investments.

But one troubling pattern emerged across industries: dishonesty and greed in business. Time and again, I saw how profit was prioritized over ethics, transparency, and long-term sustainability. This harsh reality made me more attuned to business ethics and corporate responsibility.

During my time in Forex, I was introduced to compliance principles such as Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) and Know Your Customer (KYC)—regulations designed to protect consumers and increase corporate accountability. It was through this lens that I first encountered the broader concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and, later, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

Influences That Shaped My ESG Perspective

Two key figures influenced my early ESG thinking:

1. Sir Ronald Cohen, the father of Impact Investing, whose work demonstrated how capital could be used as a force for social good.

2. Prof. Mervyn King emphasized the evolving role of CFOs and coined the concept of Chief Value Officers—leaders responsible for integrating financial and non-financial value into corporate decision-making.

With global regulations and corporate accountability measures emerging, ESG seemed like the natural next step in business ethics and finance.

From ESG to a New Vision: Upgrading ESG for Good

Inspired by these ideas, I wrote my first book, Upgrading ESG: How Business Can Thrive in the Age of Sustainability, which was published on October 5, 2023. It was a rushed job, but the vision was clear—ESG could be a framework for a fairer and more sustainable world.

Then, October 7th happened.

The barbaric attack on Israel shattered the illusion that global ethics and responsibility existed in a vacuum. It was not just a terrorist assault—it was a culmination of decades of institutionalized hatred, reinforced by misinformation, bias, and historical revisionism. The subsequent wave of anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, amplified by false narratives, revealed something profoundly disturbing: the moral compass of ESG and social justice movements was deeply flawed.

Even before October 7th, I had been grappling with disillusionment.

• The Ukraine war had exposed geopolitical hypocrisies.

• The environmental debate remained contentious—Is climate change real? I still don’t have a definitive answer.

What I do know, however, is that ESG cannot be reduced to carbon emissions and climate policies alone. Its solutions should:

✅ Improve lives
✅ Reduce the cost of food and housing
✅ Enhance public health

This realization led me to rebrand my vision of ESG—not as a compliance-driven framework, but as a moral and practical approach to empowering societies for good.

Empowering Society for Good: A New Narrative

My forthcoming book, tentatively titled Upgrading ESG: Empowering Society for Good, reflects this shift. It will explore:

1. A New Approach to ESG – Moving beyond corporate checkboxes to tangible, real-world solutions that uplift communities.

2. Israel’s Contributions – Showcasing Israeli technology, Israel’s pioneering role in agriculture, water innovation, technology, and sustainable development, this book highlights:

a) The Kibbutz model as a blueprint for cooperative sustainability.

b) The adoption of the Israeli agro-business Model and its potential impact on global food security.

3. Biblical and Moral Teachings – Drawing wisdom from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on covenant, social justice, and the concept of a good society.

4. Real Solutions for a Better World – Exploring practical applications of ESG, from agriculture to affordable housing to healthcare innovation.

This book will not be just a theoretical discussion—it will be a blueprint for action. Through a series of refined blog posts, I will lay the foundation for a comprehensive ESG framework that merges ethics, economics, and innovation in a way that benefits real people, not just corporate reports.

The Future of ESG Starts Now

This book challenges business leaders, policymakers, and everyday citizens to move beyond words and into action. Whether you are an investor, entrepreneur, or changemaker, Upgrading ESG offers:
📌 Practical insights
📌 Global case studies
📌 Ethical guidance

Are you ready to upgrade ESG and empower society for good?

Looking Forward at 60

At 60, I find myself at the intersection of reflection and reinvention.

My career has spanned industries, geographies, and disciplines, but my mission remains the same:
✔ To build something meaningful
✔ To integrate ethics into business
✔ To drive real impact in society

As I continue to develop Upgrading ESG for Good, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose—one that acknowledges the complex realities of the world while striving to shape a better, fairer future.

This is not just about ESG anymore. It’s about creating a society where:
✅ Ethics, sustainability, and prosperity go hand in hand.

This next chapter is about taking everything I’ve learned—the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable truths—and using it to drive real change.

Here’s to the journey ahead.