WFE Webinar
Sustainability - New Trading, Data and Reporting Opportunities for Exchanges
Date:May 29, 2025 Time:14:00-15:00 UTC
As environmental commodity markets evolve, exchanges are uniquely positioned to shape the infrastructure, standards, and data needed to support sustainable finance. This joint WFE and Xpansiv webinar brings together global exchange leaders to explore emerging trading opportunities, registry innovations, and the role of audit-grade sustainability data. With insights from CME Group, VCM SA, JSE, and Xpansiv, the session will examine how exchanges can enable trusted environmental markets to flourish and support corporate and investor needs. Join us to understand the tools, trends, and partnerships driving the next phase of exchange-led sustainability leadership.
Victoria has decades of experience in financial services regulation gained both in the UK regulator and as a founding member and Director at the European Securities Markets Authority (ESMA). More recently she was a Director of Regulatory Policy at an Asset Manager, Ruffer LLP where she managed the implementation of numerous regulatory projects and contributed to Ruffer’s ESG strategy and processes.
Russell Karas is the Senior Vice President of the Strategic Market Solutions Division at Xpansiv, the leading technology infrastructure provider for the global energy transition markets. He leads business development and product management for Xpansiv’s CBL exchange, Xpansiv Connect™ integration hub and portfolio-management system, and data and analytics businesses. Russell’s mandate includes developing and scaling carbon and renewable energy markets, managing strategic customer relationships and partnerships, and innovating trade execution and risk management solutions.
Prior to Xpansiv, Russell spent a decade at CME Group overseeing the Environmental and North American Crude and Refined businesses. At CME he launched more than 100 derivative contracts, including the CBL Global Emissions Offset® (GEO®) and CBL Nature-based Global Emissions Offset™ (N-GEO®) futures contracts developed with Xpansiv.
He has a B.A. from Hofstra University’s Honor College in Political Science and Economics, an M.S. in International Affairs and an M.B.A. in Finance, Strategy, and Marketing from New York University.
Heather Pandich serves as CME Group’s Director of Energy Products. She is responsible for managing CME Group’s suite of environment products, including carbon, weather and biofuels. She developed an early interest in the impact of climate and weather on financial markets and has spent her career involved in the energy sector. Before joining CME Group, Pandich was a policy analyst for the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities in Dublin, Ireland, where she helped implement Clean Energy legislation in the electricity sector. Pandich holds a MSc in Energy and Environmental Finance from University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School. She also studied at the State University of New York at Fredonia where she obtained a BSc in Business Administration and a BA in Economics, with a minor in mathematics.
Anelisa Matutu is the Head of Commodities at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) with experience spanning over 15 years in stock market and financial services. In her current role, Anelisa manages growth strategies, operational and divisional outputs, and is responsible for product development and innovation in the commodities market.
Prior to her current role, Anelisa was the Manager for Commodities and a Senior Commodities Specialist in the Capital Markets. Before this, she served as a Commodity Derivatives Officer in Commodity Derivatives.
Anelisa holds a master’s degree in business administration and a postgraduate diploma from GIBS Business School she received a BCom undergraduate degree from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Julie Brown is the Advisory Services Director at VCM, where she leads the strategic delivery of tailored advisory solutions for partners across the carbon markets ecosystem. She ensures that each engagement is insight-driven and aligned with clients’ unique needs, supporting their efforts to scale, decarbonize, and achieve sustainable growth.
With more than a decade of experience in sustainable development and advisory services, Julie has led large-scale programs that drive measurable environmental and social impact. Her work has spanned East Africa and Central America, where she managed initiatives focused on expanding access to clean energy, safe drinking water, and sustainable natural resources in underserved communities.
Julie’s expertise covers the full spectrum of advisory services—from carbon project development and market readiness to decarbonization strategy and implementation. She is deeply committed to advancing climate action through inclusive, community-centered solutions and brings a strong strategic vision to VCM’s mission of accelerating global carbon reduction.
Julie is a Graduate from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
