Contact: Andrew Walther, Knights of Columbus, 203-824-5412

CHICAGO, Oct. 13, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Finding long-term economic growth without compromising ethics is the subject of the Sustainable Investments Conference being held in Chicago on Oct. 13 at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Designed to bring cutting edge sustainable investing techniques to managers of diocesan, non-profit and charitable portfolios, the free day-long conference is also open to journalists and those who work in the financial sector.

The conference speakers will feature key people in the world of sustainable investing, including: Joel Shapiro of Timbervest, Luther Ragin of the FB Huron Foundation, Noel Friedman of MSCI, Mary Jane McQuillen of Clearbridge Advisors, Brian Corbett of Carlyle Partners, and Anthony Minopoly of Knights of Columbus.

Among other topics, speakers will address the nature of sustainable investing, screening methods, sustainable public equity investing, sustainable fixed income investing, timber investing, and the intersection between Catholic social teaching and sustainable investing.

Cardinal Francis George of Chicago will also briefly address the attendees.

The conference was the initiative of Carl Anderson, CEO of the Knights of Columbus -- one of the nation's top-rated insurers (A.M. Best, A++), and a pioneering organization in successful sustainable investing.

"At the World Economic Forum, I have watched for several years as sustainable investing has become an increasing topic of discussion, and I believe those principles are of considerable importance to anyone who wants to maintain profitability and ethics," said Carl Anderson. "The Knights of Columbus has long used a sustainable investing model. Even during difficult economic times, this approach has helped us to consistently grow our portfolio and remain recognized for excellence, with no other insurer in the United States having a higher rating than we do."

The free conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13. Seating is limited. For more information or to register visit kofc.org/sic.

There is no more highly rated insurer in the United States than the Knights of Columbus, which has $17 billion in assets under management. The Knights of Columbus is also one of the country’s most active charities, and the world’s largest Catholic fraternal group. Last year the Knights at all levels donated $155 million and 70 million hours of volunteer service to charitable causes.