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The Gold Standard: Diversity Matters

March 23, 2023

Read Time 1 MIN

Ima Casanova recently joined Asset TV’s Women in Investing Masterclass to discuss her career and how diversity has evolved in the gold industry over the past two decades.

In addition to serving on VanEck’s DEI Committee, Ima Casanova has been a member of the investment team for the International Investors Gold Fund and Global Resources Fund since she joined VanEck in 2011. Recently, it was announced that Ima will be taking over as Portfolio Manager for the VanEck International Investors Gold Fund, effective May 1, 2023.

Ima’s diverse background includes both BS and MS degrees, as well as industry experience in engineering, which helps to shape her analysis and interactions with prominent and upcoming gold mining companies. Ima’s recent discussion with Asset TV includes details of her professional career path, in addition to an overview of how diversity, equity and inclusion factors have evolved in the gold mining space and broader financial services industry.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Gold Industry

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) factors are important to consider when evaluating a company’s long-term prospects. From this perspective, we have witnessed significant change in the gold mining industry over the past two decades, as companies have increasingly diversified the composition of their boards. More women are represented on boards and, as large shareholders in several gold mining companies, we can express our support (or lack thereof) for aspects that involve diversity at the board level (36:01).

Other highlights include:

  • 02:06 – Ima’s decision to pursue a career in finance
  • 10:41 – Ima’s career progression at VanEck
  • 28:31 – Work/life balance
  • 45:48 – Overview of VanEck’s DEI Committee
  • 48:59 – Advice for women starting their career: embrace being a woman

The full webinar can be accessed here: Asset TV – Women in Investing Masterclass.

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Any projections, market outlooks or estimates in this material are forward-looking statements and are based upon certain assumptions that are solely the opinion of the speaker(s), and are not necessarily those of VanEck or its employees. Any projections, outlooks or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. Further, any information regarding portfolio composition, portfolio composition methodology, investment process or limits, or valuation methods of evaluating companies and markets are intended as guidelines which may be modified or changed by VanEck at any time in its sole discretion without notice.

You can lose money by investing in the VanEck International Investors Gold Fund (the Fund). Any investment in the Fund should be part of an overall investment program, not a complete program. The Fund is subject to the risks associated with concentrating its assets in the gold industry, which can be significantly affected by international economic, monetary and political developments. The Fund’s overall portfolio may decline in value due to developments specific to the gold industry. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities involve risks related to adverse political and economic developments unique to a country or a region, currency fluctuations or controls, and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, or political, economic or social instability. The Fund is subject to risks associated with investments in Australian and Canadian issuers, commodities and commodity-linked derivatives, commodities and commodity-linked derivatives tax, gold-mining industry, derivatives, direct investments, emerging market securities, ESG investing, foreign currency transactions, foreign securities, other investment companies, management, market, non-diversification, operational, regulatory, small- and medium-capitalization companies and subsidiary risks.

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Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

© Van Eck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation.

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

VanEck assumes no liability for the content of any linked third-party site, and/or content hosted on external sites.

This material does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation to buy any security, including shares of any Fund. An offer or solicitation will be made only through a Fund’s prospectus or summary prospectus and will be subject to the terms and conditions contained. This material and the information provided herein are not directed at or intended for distribution to any person (or entity) who is a citizen or resident of (or located or established in) any jurisdiction where the distribution of these materials and/or the purchase or sale of interests of a Fund would be contrary to applicable law or regulation or would subject a Fund to any registration or licensing requirement in such jurisdiction. Persons who wish to review this material are required to inform themselves about and to observe any legal or regulatory restrictions which may affect their eligibility to make an investment in a Fund. Professional advice should be sought in cases of doubt.

Any projections, market outlooks or estimates in this material are forward-looking statements and are based upon certain assumptions that are solely the opinion of the speaker(s), and are not necessarily those of VanEck or its employees. Any projections, outlooks or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. Further, any information regarding portfolio composition, portfolio composition methodology, investment process or limits, or valuation methods of evaluating companies and markets are intended as guidelines which may be modified or changed by VanEck at any time in its sole discretion without notice.

You can lose money by investing in the VanEck International Investors Gold Fund (the Fund). Any investment in the Fund should be part of an overall investment program, not a complete program. The Fund is subject to the risks associated with concentrating its assets in the gold industry, which can be significantly affected by international economic, monetary and political developments. The Fund’s overall portfolio may decline in value due to developments specific to the gold industry. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities involve risks related to adverse political and economic developments unique to a country or a region, currency fluctuations or controls, and the possibility of arbitrary action by foreign governments, or political, economic or social instability. The Fund is subject to risks associated with investments in Australian and Canadian issuers, commodities and commodity-linked derivatives, commodities and commodity-linked derivatives tax, gold-mining industry, derivatives, direct investments, emerging market securities, ESG investing, foreign currency transactions, foreign securities, other investment companies, management, market, non-diversification, operational, regulatory, small- and medium-capitalization companies and subsidiary risks.

ESG integration is the practice of incorporating material environmental, social and governance (ESG) information or insights alongside traditional measures into the investment decision process to improve long term financial outcomes of portfolios. ESG investing is qualitative and subjective by nature, and there is no guarantee that the factors utilized by VanEck or any judgment exercised by VanEck will reflect the opinions of any particular investor. Information regarding responsible practices is obtained through voluntary or third-party reporting, which may not be accurate or complete, and VanEck is dependent on such information to evaluate a company’s commitment to, or implementation of, responsible practices. Socially responsible norms differ by region. There is no assurance that the socially responsible investing strategy and techniques employed will be successful. An investment strategy may hold securities of issuers that are not aligned with ESG principles.

Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of a Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

© Van Eck Securities Corporation, Distributor, a wholly owned subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation.