In the world of high-stakes investments, few accomplishments rival the successful mobilization of capital for ambitious, sustainable projects. The stakes in these ventures are exceptionally high: if an investment fails to deliver, it reflects poorly on both the investment firm and the client, who expected gains from the project. Yet, when such capital is effectively allocated, and the project thrives, the results can be remarkable.
Tatiane Shibata stands out as a seasoned global infrastructure investment expert with nearly 15 years dedicated to dealing with execution, due diligence, asset management, and fund underwriting. Her transactional experience spans sectors such as renewable energy, energy transition, power distribution, transmission, and digital infrastructure across regions including North America, Latin America, and Europe.
Currently a Principal with IMCO—the Investment Management Corporation of Ontario—Tatiane plays a key role on the Asset Management team, where she oversees asset management and spearheads value creation initiatives across IMCO's direct portfolios. She also leads major organizations' due diligence efforts for private investments, ensuring that each project aligns with the fund's strategic goals. IMCO is a Canadian fund manager with over $77 billion of assets under management, exclusively focused on providing comprehensive and value-added investment management and advisory solutions to public-sector clients in Ontario.
Before joining IMCO, Tatiane held senior roles at Brookfield Asset Management (NYSE: BAM, TSX: BAM), where she directed deal execution and investment activities in renewable power and energy transition. Brookfield is a leading global investment firm with over $1 trillion of assets under management, which traces its origins back to a privately owned utility company founded in 1899 in São Paulo, Brazil. Since then, the company has consistently focused on investing in long-life, high-quality assets. Today, Brookfield operates in more than 30 countries, managing assets and businesses that help form the backbone of the global economy. Tatiane's responsibilities at the firm included formulating investment strategies, analyzing complex financial structures, coordinating due diligence, and managing financial evaluations for large acquisitions and portfolio investments. Committed to sustainable investing, Tatiane has also been an advocate for gender diversity in the workplaces she's been a part of.
Today, we will delve into some of Tatiane's most significant projects, including supporting the formation of the $15 billion Brookfield Global Transition Fund (BGTF I), the largest private fund dedicated to net-zero initiatives.
Additionally, we'll explore two key transactions Tatiane and her team at IMCO successfully executed: a $500 million investment in Scala Data Centers, a leading data center platform in Latin America, and a $1 billion commitment to NextWind, a German renewable energy platform focused on repowering wind assets. Tatiane's leadership across these projects highlights her prowess in mobilizing capital to fuel large-scale, sustainable investments.
Leading the Net-Zero Charge with BGTF I
The Brookfield Global Transition Fund (BGTF I) is designed to catalyze the global shift toward a net-zero carbon economy, combining financial goals with a mission for sustainable development. "This fund is not just about financial returns; it embodies a commitment to fostering sustainable development and addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change," she explained. The fund's approach focuses on investments in clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and decarbonization of carbon-intensive industries, all aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more resilient future.
Tatiane's personal motivation for joining this initiative stems from a passion for sustainable investing and making a long-term difference. "Finance and investment can be powerful tools for positive change," she noted, emphasizing how sustainable investing allows for scaling solutions that address climate risks while driving economic growth. By seeing firsthand the tangible benefits of BGTF I's projects, from reduced emissions to improved community well-being, Tatiane is committed to creating value that benefits both investors and the broader ecosystem.
Turning Challenges into Investor Confidence
Securing $15 billion for the Brookfield Global Transition Fund (BGTF I) required Tatiane and her team to address significant challenges in aligning investor expectations with the fund's ambitious long-term goals. One of the primary hurdles was bridging the diverse interests of potential stakeholders with the fund's vision for sustainable impact. "One key hurdle was aligning the diverse interests of potential investors with the long-term vision of the fund," she explained. This alignment process relied on clear, strategic communication that laid out BGTF I's objectives and forecasted outcomes, allowing investors to see the financial and environmental returns embedded in each project.
To demonstrate the viability of sustainable investments, Tatiane and her team turned to concrete evidence, leveraging case studies and performance forecasts that highlighted both potential returns and robust risk management. These efforts helped illustrate the fund's capacity for driving returns while staying aligned with sustainability. "My team and I spearheaded efforts to showcase the commercial viability of sustainable investments," Tatiane noted, underscoring how their approach helped clarify the strategic objectives of BGTF I and reinforced investor confidence in the fund's mission.
In addition to these foundational efforts, Tatiane and the Brookfield team employed a tailored engagement approach to attract a global investor base. Recognizing that investor priorities vary, her team offered detailed financial insights to institutional investors while also providing impact-driven narratives for those with a focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. "By fostering transparency, demonstrating the fund's alignment with global sustainability goals, and leveraging Brookfield's leadership in renewable power, we successfully garnered support and built strong partnerships," Tatiane explained. This approach not only attracted a broad spectrum of investors but also solidified trust in the fund's commitment to sustainable growth and impact. Through these targeted strategies, BGTF I attracted over 100 global investors, all sharing the vision of driving meaningful change through transformational investments.
Strategic Risk with Sustainable Results
In overseeing key investment strategies pursed by BGTF I, Tatiane prioritized rigorous risk management practices, particularly when evaluating the scalability and sustainability of clean technologies. "Critical factors would include assessing the financial stability of potential investments, evaluating the scalability of clean technologies, and ensuring alignment with science-based sector pathways for net zero," she explained. Each investment underwent meticulous due diligence, balancing the financial objectives with the fund's overarching commitment to sustainability. Continuous monitoring was integral to this process, allowing Tatiane and her team to track both environmental and financial outcomes, ensuring that each project stayed aligned with BGTF I's strategic goals.
Beyond financial success, Tatiane measured the impact of major infrastructure projects like BGTF I, Scala Data Centers, and NextWind by their contribution to sustainability and job creation. For these transformational investments, she highlighted the importance of using broader metrics to capture their true impact. "Key performance indicators might include avoided emissions, clean energy capacity added, and the number of jobs created," she noted. These indicators allow fund managers to quantify their contributions not only in economic terms but also through tangible environmental and social benefits, supporting a holistic approach to long-term value creation.
Powering Latin America's Digital Future
In investing in Scala Data Centers through IMCO, Tatiane and her team recognized a pivotal opportunity to advance Latin America's digital infrastructure with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and economic growth. "Our approach to this project was guided by a clear vision of sustainability, technological innovation, and economic development," she explained. Scala's commitment to environmental standards, including its operation on 100% renewable energy supported by long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), underscored its dedication to sustainability, making it the first data center company in Latin America to achieve carbon neutrality. Scala's environmental and social commitments cover a broad scope, addressing issues from environmental impact to community welfare.
Tatiane emphasized that Scala's state-of-the-art facilities, equipped with some of the region's lowest Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) indices, will play a transformative role in the growth of emerging technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence across Latin America. "By investing in state-of-the-art, sustainable data centers, we are laying the groundwork for a more robust digital infrastructure," she noted. In addition to strengthening the tech ecosystem, the project is expected to generate thousands of jobs in fields such as energy, construction, and telecommunications, contributing to economic development while enhancing Latin America's appeal as a destination for technology investments.
Reviving Europe's Wind Energy
IMCO's investment in NextWind aligns closely with Europe's ambitious renewable energy targets and provides a vital contribution to the continent's net-zero transition. "NextWind is at the forefront of repowering wind projects, which involves upgrading and enhancing existing wind farms to increase their efficiency and energy output," Tatiane explained. This method maximizes existing resources, increases renewable energy production, and reduces the carbon footprint, playing a critical role in the European Union's goal to achieve a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.
However, the NextWind initiative also came with unique challenges, particularly in navigating Germany's strict regulatory landscape for repowering wind projects. "This required comprehensive due diligence and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations," she noted. Despite these complexities, the project presents significant advantages by enhancing energy efficiency and capacity without the need for new land, thus reducing environmental impact and easing community concerns often associated with new developments. Tatiane highlighted that supporting NextWind is not only about meeting energy targets but also about "driving innovation and technological advancement in the renewable energy sector," underscoring how such investments foster both environmental and economic progress.
Advice for Future Investment Leaders
Tatiane's experience in high-impact, sustainable investments has equipped her with a wealth of insights for professionals aspiring to create meaningful change. She emphasizes, "Impactful investing requires a blend of strategic vision, robust due diligence, and a deep commitment to sustainability principles." Key to this approach is the ability to look beyond immediate returns and view investments through the lens of global sustainability objectives, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. This broader perspective allows professionals to identify opportunities with long-term environmental and social benefits.
Tatiane also underscores the importance of patience and commitment to the long game, as transformative investments often take time to realize their impact fully. "Be patient and understand that the most impactful investments may take time to realize their full potential," she advises, encouraging a focus on creating value that endures and is sustainable. She further highlights the importance of clear metrics and reporting beyond standard financial metrics, noting that professionals should "establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs)" to measure their investment's environmental contributions, such as reduced carbon emissions and added renewable energy capacity. Ultimately, she advocates for using one's platform to drive change, fostering a culture that prioritizes sustainable practices and contributes to systemic shifts that benefit society and the environment.
Tatiane's career exemplifies forward-thinking leadership in sustainable finance. Through her work with both Brookfield and IMCO, she has demonstrated how carefully aligned investments can meet ambitious environmental goals while delivering strong financial outcomes. Her projects underscore what's achievable in the realms of digital and energy transition when capital is allocated with both precision and purpose. Tatiane's impact lies in her ability to marry financial expertise with a commitment to environmental stewardship, showcasing a powerful model for balancing idealism with practical execution in sustainable investment. Her achievements stand as an inspiration for the next generation of leaders in the industry, illustrating the enduring value of a conscientious approach to finance.
