I survived the worst ESG backlash since the term was invented. Today’s ESG critics are running out of ammunition

In 2007, I co-founded the investment firm Auður Capital in my native Iceland. We set out to incorporate more “feminine” values into finance, with the overriding philosophy that we would pursue profit with principles and place environmental, social, and governance issues at the heart of our investments.

The following year, a global financial crisis brought down Iceland’s financial sector–a black swan event that swept reality out from under our feet. Our firm was the only asset manager that survived intact. We went from being laughed at by some in the sector to being . . .