Abigail Dean is the Global Head of Strategic Insights for Nuveen Real Estate. In this role she is responsible for the organisation’s global research, sustainability and proptech and innovation functions. She oversees Nuveen Real Estate’s Tomorrow’s World Strategy which future proofs the investment strategy in light of global megatrends and integrates ESG across fund and asset management. This strategy ensures that the business delivers on its mission to invest in the urban fabric of Tomorrow’s World for the enduring benefit of our clients and society. Working alongside our Product Development team, Abigail is also responsible for ensuring that new product and the growth of the business are under pinned by solid research and sustainability considerations overseeing the global research team.

Since joining the firm in 2016, Abigail has overseen the organization setting a target to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2040. This commitment responds to and supports the ambitious goals for sustainable real estate established at the 21st annual Conference of Parties (COP21) held in Paris in September 2015. Abigail is a member of Nuveen Real Estate’s Investment Committee and has spearheaded the integration of sustainability considerations into the acquisition process. She is also leading the organisation to develop investment guidelines related to physical and transition climate change risk, as set out in the Taskforce on Climate Related Financial Disclosure Framework. She previously worked at JLL, where she led on sustainability for the Property and Asset Management's U.K. team.

Abigail is passionate about driving sustainable change in the property sector and sits on several industry committees including the GRESB Benchmarking Committee and the INREV ESG committee.