Helena Naffa

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Dr. Helena Naffa is a leading researcher in sustainable finance and investment analytics, whose work bridges the gap between environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and quantitative portfolio management. Her most cited paper, “Performance measurement of ESG-themed megatrend investments in global equity markets using pure factor portfolios methodology” (2020, 72 citations), fundamentally reshaped how investors evaluate ESG-themed megatrend investments. In this seminal work, Dr. Naffa introduced a rigorous pure factor portfolios methodology to disentangle whether ESG-aligned strategies sacrifice returns—a question central to modern responsible investing. Her findings demonstrated that investors need not compromise financial performance when aligning portfolios with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing critical evidence for the mainstreaming of ESG factors. Beyond this, her research advances the measurement of factor exposures in global equity markets, offering practical tools for asset managers navigating the intersection of sustainability and alpha generation. With growing recognition in both academic and industry circles, Dr. Naffa’s work continues to inform institutional investors, policymakers, and scholars seeking to integrate ethical considerations into robust financial frameworks. Her contributions stand at the forefront of a transformative shift toward evidence-based sustainable investing.