Our Story
DeFi ESG LLC was founded by Tom Montagino, an avid crypto investor and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) professional. In 2021, while researching crypto coins/tokens, Tom became frustrated with the absence of ESG information available. Not only could he not review ESG benchmarking information on each project, but most crypto projects had no sustainability facts listed on their homepage. This frustration motivated Tom to create the DeFi ESG Assessment and other sustainability improvement solutions for digital businesses. Today, DeFi ESG provides sustainability solutions for all industries and not just Blockchain.
Founder
Tom Montagino is the founder of DeFi ESG LLC and the creator of the DeFi ESG Assessment. Tom has over 15 years’ experience improving sustainability and developing ESG programs for investment firms and industrial corporations. As an ESG Professional, Tom has facilitated ESG Assessment submissions where the asset has scored the highest rating for the residing continent, country, industry sector and even the overall assessment. In 2020, Tom led an international logistics company to achieve world-class sustainability accreditation with a perfect ESG score of 100% for the 2020 GRESB Infrastructure Assessment.
In addition to maximizing ESG Assessment scores, Tom has developed/implemented comprehensive sustainability programs that reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved energy efficiency, reduced waste, and protected habitat. Tom has helped companies document ESG success on their websites, annual ESG reports other engagement communications to stakeholders such as investors, customers, and employees.
Tom holds the following professional ESG certifications and degrees:
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ESG CERTIFICATIONS
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Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP) Green Business Certification Inc.
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Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) Academy of Board-Certified Environmental Professionals.
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Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.
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Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Board of Certified Safety Professionals.
EDUCATION
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Master of Business Administration, Thomas Jefferson University.
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Master of Science in Safety Management, West Virginia University.
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Bachelor of Science, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Our Mission
To deliver Sustainability Improvement Solutions and facilitate world class ESG Assessments so clients can reach their highest level of performance with sustainability.
Vision
A more sustainable world through ESG leadership.
Core Values
Excellence
We will deliver impactful sustainability solutions and facilitate world class ESG assessments.
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Integrity
We will be accountable, transparent, honest, and respectful.
Responsive
We will empathize with our clients’ needs and develop the best solution in the shortest possible timeframe.
Triple Bottom Line
People, Planet then Profit
At DeFi ESG LLC we embrace The Triple bottom Line ideology, positioning people and the planet above our own profit. Our vision of a more sustainable world is upheld through the delivery of impactful sustainability services and the following ESG commitments for the company:
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Benefit Company:
DeFi ESG LLC is a Pennsylvania Benefit Company as we create a public benefit with the deliverables of Environmental and Social consulting services. Besides our impactful ESG services, DeFi ESG creates numerous positive impacts on people, the planet and our local community. Annually we provide a report to the Pennsylvania Department of State on these public benefit contributions and an evaluation of our performance against a corporate benefit standard.
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1% For the Planet:
Every time a client purchases services from DeFi ESG, we invest 1% of the sale into organizations working hard to make the world a more resilient and sustainable place. Through our 1% for the Planet membership our clients have allowed us to donate to organizations doing significant work in our key areas of plastic pollution, conservation, and outdoor stewardship.
Community Involvement:
At DeFi ESG full time employees volunteer an average of four hours a week with nonprofit organizations in their local community. These activities include advising religious institutions on safety matters, coaching youth sports and volunteering with local public safety agencies.
Donation of Services:
DeFi ESG provides free sustainability consulting services to eligible nonprofit organizations.
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Pledge 1%:
Besides donating 1% of total revenue, DeFi ESG has committed to donate at least 1% of our full-time staff’s time to volunteering in their local community. DeFi ESG is proud to join the Pledge 1% community and encourages other companies to take the pledge and leverage their business as a force for good.
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Carbon Neutral Purchases:
Through an agreement with a financial partner, a tree is planted for every business purchase. This process helps offset GHG related emissions for each purchase.
Neutralized GHG Emissions:
All GHG Emissions from automobile and air travel are neutralized with purchased offsets through a financial partner.
Energy:
Energy efficient appliances and LED lighting are utilized at our offices. Where available and economically feasible green renewable power is purchased to provide power to our offices.
Waste & Recycling:
All possible byproducts of our office operations are recycled to avoid municipal waste disposal. We also recycle all paper, plastic, cans, and glass bottles where these services are available.
Water Use:
DeFi ESG makes every feasible effort to reduce water usage and make additional efforts to minimize wastewater.
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Can the DeFi ESG assist non digital businesses with ESG / Sustainability development?Yes, in fact we have a lot of success with assisting logistics and other infrastructure companies improve their ESG programs.
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Can the DeFi ESG help my company prepare for another agency’s Sustainability and ESG Assessment?Yes, we have helped many companies improve their ESG scores with sustainability assessments such as GRESB, CDP and Ecovadis. In 2020, we assisted an international logistics company to achieve world-class sustainability accreditation with a perfect ESG score of 100% for the 2020 GRESB Infrastructure Assessment.
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Can DeFi ESG complete Verification or check of an annual sustainability report?Yes, we have advisors with credentials to complete this review.
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Can the DeFi ESG Assessment be completed on non-digital assets?Yes, but this assessment is most applicable for digital assets such as coin/tokens, exchanges, and other digital businesses.
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Can DeFi ESG assist us in developing and implementing an ESG program from scratch?Yes, we can assist companies building out their ESG process from the ground floor or higher.
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Can I contract DeFi ESG to assist in developing my vendors, asset companies or client ESG programs?Yes, we have done a lot of consulting work for both vendors, assets in a fund and clients of professional service firms.
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Does DeFi ESG provide remote or onsite assistance?DeFi ESG offers remote or onsite assistance.
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Are all DeFi ESG Consultants credentialed or certified?Yes, all consultants are credentialed or certified for the services they deliver. This includes the credentials of Sustainability Excellence Professional, Certified Environmental Professional or Certified Safety Professional.
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Can payment be made with a crypto currency?Yes, DeFi ESG accepts payment in most forms of crypto as well as the US dollar.
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Is there a standard fee for the DeFi ESG Assessment?The specific amount of the DeFi ESG Assessment depends on size of the asset being assessed and assistance the asset requests for submission.
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Does DeFi ESG charge hourly or by the project for consulting services?Both, but this depends on the client’s needs and scope of the project.
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Where is DeFi ESG LLC located?In the Philadelphia region of Pennsylvania.