Look Forward
Look beyond the near term and explore the trends that will shape our future with critical work focused on sustainability and climate, trade and supply chains, global realignment, the future of capital markets, technology and digital disruption and the multidimensional energy transition.
Latest Research
Fresh insights, deeper analysis, and innovative approaches are essential in a rapidly changing world. The effects of geopolitical shifts, supply chain disruptions, health crises, and climate change are rarely confined to a single sector or market.
Our clients need expertise that considers the broader context—insights you'll find from the Look Forward Council.
Look Forward Journal
In a rapidly changing world in which markets transform and evolve at a pace never seen before, new risks and opportunities are constantly emerging and established wisdom is continually challenged.
As the Executive Sponsor of the S&P Global Look Forward Council, I am proud of the ongoing commitment of the Council to defining, exploring and demystifying the turbulent conditions faced by our customers. The Council brings together leading experts from across our organization to provide forward-looking perspectives on the key themes shaping markets. We leverage our unique in-house data and expertise to develop actionable insights on the future of capital markets, digital disruption, the balance between energy security and energy transition, sustainability and climate, trade and supply chain, and geopolitical shocks
Our series of Look Forward reports provide a deep dive into the most important topics that are transforming the global economy through the lens of these themes. From examining of a world in disruption to illuminating the shadowy private markets; exploring the rise of India to mapping the contours of rapidly evolving supply chains to tracking the progress of the energy transition, our existing reports and those still to come provide the insights we all need to made decisions with conviction.
The work of the Council exemplifies the role of S&P Global in powering global markets and provides the perspectives our customers need to focus on the future.
S&P Global Ratings
Look Forward Council, Sponsor
Yann Le Pallec
President, S&P Global Ratings
Yann Le Pallec is President of S&P Global Ratings and a member of the Company’s Executive Leadership Team. He has ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the business, including commercial, analytical, control and operations functions. He is based in Paris and heads the S&P Global Ratings Operating Committee.
Mr. Le Pallec chairs the Board of CRISIL Ltd, a global provider of benchmarks and analytics for the financial community that also owns CRISIL Ratings, a leading credit rating agency in India. CRISIL Ltd is listed on BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange).
Previously, Mr. Le Pallec was the Executive Managing Director and Head of Global Ratings Services which oversees Analytics, Research, and Operations, encompassing more than 2,200 analysts and support staff across 28 countries who cover more than one million outstanding ratings on entities and securities across a range of sectors, including governments, corporations, financial institutions and structured finance.
Since joining S&P Global Ratings in 1999, Mr. Le Pallec has held a diverse array of roles, including Head of Global Corporate Ratings, leading a group of 500 analysts responsible for coverage of more than 4,000 non-financial corporations worldwide. Before that he led S&P Global’s credit ratings business in EMEA, managing a team of more than 900 ratings analysts and support staff across a dozen offices. Previously, he was Head of EMEA Corporate and Government Ratings, after serving in various managerial and analytical positions in the Insurance and Sovereign & Public Sector groups.
Mr. Le Pallec is the S&P Global Executive Sponsor for the Company's PRIDE People Resource Group, which is dedicated to maintaining a supportive work environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Prior to joining S&P Global, Mr. Le Pallec worked for nine years at Paris-based auditing and financial services firm Salustro Reydel.
Mr. Le Pallec holds a master's degree in Business from the Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Economique et Commerciales (ESSEC) in France.
Look Forward Podcast
In today's rapidly shifting markets, success depends on anticipating what's next. The professionals who excel are those who can spot emerging trends before they fully materialize. The Look Forward Podcast delivers exactly that—insights to help you prepare for tomorrow's opportunities and challenges. We bring you expert perspectives on macroeconomic trends, capital markets, energy transition, and global trade, with a sharp focus on what these developments mean for the decisions that will shape your tomorrow.
Subscribe On: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
About the Look Forward Council
In today’s rapidly evolving world, challenges like geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, global health crises, and climate change are deeply interconnected—impacting markets in complex and far-reaching ways. Meeting these challenges requires broad, cross-sector analysis and fresh thinking that moves beyond traditional silos to see the bigger picture.
The S&P Global Look Forward Council brings together leading experts from across our organization to deliver research that illuminates long-term trends and transformative market shifts. Covering areas from capital and commodity markets to energy and sustainability, the Council provides the forward-looking intelligence our clients need to navigate uncertainty and make confident, informed decisions.
S&P Global 2025 Key Themes
A Fragmented World
Look Forward Council Members
S&P Global Commodity Insights
Look Forward Council, Co-Chair
Atul Arya, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and Chief Energy Strategist
His areas of expertise include business strategy, commercial analysis, oil markets, energy technologies, climate change and renewables. He has previously led Energy Insight, Research and Analysis and Energy Research teams at S&P Global (Now a part of S&P Global). Dr. Atul previously worked for BP for over 20 years in a number of operational, business, technical and strategic positions around the world. His career includes international leadership experience in a diverse array of energy fields spanning strategy development, business planning, field operations and technology commercialization. His experience includes leadership in solar energy development as well as oil and gas. Dr. Atul has previously served on boards of several companies and institutions and is member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Advanced Energy Technologies and is 25+ year member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. He is a sought-after speaker and moderator at public conferences, company boards and industry events and a member of the CERAWeek leadership team.
He holds B.S., M.S. and Ph. D. degrees in engineering.
S&P Global Ratings
Look Forward Council, Co-Chair
Alexandra Dimitrijevic
Global Head of Research and Development
S&P Global Ratings
Look Forward Council, Sponsor
Yann Le Pallec
President, S&P Global Ratings
Yann Le Pallec is President of S&P Global Ratings and a member of the Company’s Executive Leadership Team. He has ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the business, including commercial, analytical, control and operations functions. He is based in Paris and heads the S&P Global Ratings Operating Committee.
Mr. Le Pallec chairs the Board of CRISIL Ltd, a global provider of benchmarks and analytics for the financial community that also owns CRISIL Ratings, a leading credit rating agency in India. CRISIL Ltd is listed on BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange).
Previously, Mr. Le Pallec was the Executive Managing Director and Head of Global Ratings Services which oversees Analytics, Research, and Operations, encompassing more than 2,200 analysts and support staff across 28 countries who cover more than one million outstanding ratings on entities and securities across a range of sectors, including governments, corporations, financial institutions and structured finance.
Since joining S&P Global Ratings in 1999, Mr. Le Pallec has held a diverse array of roles, including Head of Global Corporate Ratings, leading a group of 500 analysts responsible for coverage of more than 4,000 non-financial corporations worldwide. Before that he led S&P Global’s credit ratings business in EMEA, managing a team of more than 900 ratings analysts and support staff across a dozen offices. Previously, he was Head of EMEA Corporate and Government Ratings, after serving in various managerial and analytical positions in the Insurance and Sovereign & Public Sector groups.
Mr. Le Pallec is the S&P Global Executive Sponsor for the Company's PRIDE People Resource Group, which is dedicated to maintaining a supportive work environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Prior to joining S&P Global, Mr. Le Pallec worked for nine years at Paris-based auditing and financial services firm Salustro Reydel.
Mr. Le Pallec holds a master's degree in Business from the Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Economique et Commerciales (ESSEC) in France.
S&P Global
Dan Bennett
Head of Data Technology, Enterprise Data Organization
As Head of Technology for the Enterprise Data Organization of S&P Global, Dan is responsible for the platforms, innovations, and data science used to ingest, create, curate, model and deliver data to customers and internal users.
Previously, Dan was with the Commodity Insights division, first Chief Data Officer, then CTO, responsible for the definition, delivery and operations of all product and data systems.
Prior to S&P Global, Dan was CTO/CIO at Castlelake, L.P., a global private investment firm. There he led a global team and managed service providers covering all aspects of information security, technology and facilities.
Before that, Dan held senior technology roles with Thomson Reuters, latterly between 2014-2018 as Vice President, Enterprise Data Services, where he led a global team and established a multi-tenant big data platform for content and usage data.
Dan counts 30+ years’ experience in technology leadership, system architecture and design on a variety of platforms and projects with extensive experience in systems and data modeling in multiple technologies. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence from The University of Leeds, UK.
S&P Global Mobility
Anoop Desai
Executive Director, Sustainable Mobility
Anoop Desai serves as the Executive Director and Head of Sustainable Mobility at S&P Global Mobility Consulting Services. In this leadership role, he specializes in spearheading sustainability initiatives within the mobility sector. Boasting a robust background in carbon accounting, net-zero pathways, and strategic planning, Anoop stands at the forefront of the drive towards sustainable practices. His pivotal role involves guiding clients through the intricate process of reducing their carbon footprint and crafting effective strategies to attain net-zero emissions.
Anoop's expertise in sustainability frameworks, coupled with his adept analysis and interpretation of data, positions him as an invaluable asset to the team. His unwavering dedication to promoting environmentally responsible practices aligns seamlessly with his commitment to steering clients towards sustainable mobility solutions. Anoop's passion for sustainability and his proactive efforts contribute significantly to the mission of creating a greener and more sustainable future, solidifying his role as a key contributor within the S&P Global Mobility team.
S&P Dow Jones Indices
Tim Edwards
Managing Director and Global Head of Index Investment Strategy
Tim Edwards is Managing Director and Global Head of Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI). The group provides research and commentary on S&P DJI’s entire product set, including U.S. and global equities, commodities, fixed income, and economic indices.
Prior to joining S&P DJI in 2013, Tim worked for Barclays Capital, initially within fund-linked derivatives and subsequently in exchange-traded products and index-linked derivatives. Prior to that, he worked at the Royal Institution of Great Britain.
Tim holds a Ph.D in pure mathematics from University College London.
S&P Global
Francesco Federico
Chief Marketing Officer
S&P Global
Ken Fredman
Head of Editorial, Design and Publishing
S&P Global Ratings
Paul Gruenwald, Ph.D.
Global Chief Economist
Paul Gruenwald is the Global Chief Economist at S&P Global Ratings based in New York. He leads the economic research agenda and serves as the primary spokesperson on macro-economic matters for the company.
Before joining S&P Global Ratings in 2013, Paul spent almost five years at the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) as the Asia Pacific Chief Economist, where he was responsible for helping set and direct ANZ’s Asian and global economic research agenda, as well as building the bank’s economic research efforts and profile in the region. Previously, Paul worked at the International MonetaryFund(IMF) for nearly 16 years, where he led the team producing the IMF’s Asian regional outlook reports. He was also the IMF Resident Representative to Hong Kong and Korea, the Deputy Chief of the China Division, and did considerable work on both public (Paris Club) and private (London Club) debt restructuring issues.
Paul has a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in Economics/Mathematics from the University of Texas.
S&P Global Sustainable1
Lindsey Hall
Global Head of Thought Leadership
Lindsey Hall is Head of ESG Thought Leadership at S&P Global Sustainable1, where she co-hosts the ESG Insider podcast and is a steering member of S&P Global's Diversity Research Lab.
She got her start in financial journalism writing for various Financial Times publications in London before joining SNL Financial in 2010, where she spent a decade covering financial news and regulation as a reporter and editor.
Lindsey holds a Masters from the London School of Economics.
S&P Global Commodity Insights
Shelley Kerr
Head of Emerging Markets Benchmarks
S&P Global Ratings
Alexandra Krief
Global Head of Business Enablement R&D
S&P Global Sustainable1
Divya Mankikar
Global Head of ESG Market Engagement
Divya Mankikar is Global Head of ESG Market Engagement. She brings over 15 years of sustainable investment experience to S&P Global. She is responsible for leading S&P Sustainable1’s efforts to engage with policy makers, regulators, standard setters, multi-lateral agencies, trade bodies and key market participants.
She joined S&P Global from CalPERS as Head of Sustainable Investment and Climate Strategy in the office of the CEO. Divya is a co-founder of Climate Action 100+ - a global initiative supported by investors representing over $54 trillion that seeks a low-carbon transition through collaborative engagement of systemically important carbon emitters.
She holds a BA/MA from Boston University in Energy and Environmental Analysis, an International MBA in finance from IE Business School in Madrid, and an MA in Law and Diplomacy focused on business and human rights law from Tufts University’s Fletcher School.
She joined S&P Global from CalPERS as Head of Sustainable Investment and Climate Strategy in the office of the CEO. Divya is a co-founder of Climate Action 100+ - a global initiative supported by investors representing over $54 trillion that seeks a low-carbon transition through collaborative engagement of systemically important carbon emitters.
She holds a BA/MA from Boston University in Energy and Environmental Analysis, an International MBA in finance from IE Business School in Madrid, and an MA in Law and Diplomacy focused on business and human rights law from Tufts University’s Fletcher School.
S&P Global
Orla O'Brien
Global Head of Public Relations
S&P Global Commodity Insights
Carlos Pascual
Head of Geopolitics & International Affairs
Carlos Pascual es vicepresidente senior de Energía Global y Asuntos Internacionales de S&P Global Commodity Insights, responsable de liderar todas las líneas de negocios en América Latina.
Como enviado de energía y coordinador de asuntos energéticos internacionales de los Estados Unidos, Carlos estableció y dirigió la nueva Oficina de Recursos Energéticos en el Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos y fue asesor principal del Secretario de Estado en temas de energía. Anteriormente había sido Embajador de los Estados Unidos tanto en México como en Ucrania y fue asistente especial del Presidente y sucesivamente como director y luego director senior para Rusia, Ucrania y Eurasia en el Consejo de Seguridad Nacional. En la Institución Brookings, Carlos se desempeñó como vicepresidente y director de estudios de política exterior y lanzó la Iniciativa de Seguridad Energética de Brookings. Enseñó y escribió sobre geopolítica energética en la Universidad de Columbia. Carlos creó el cargo de coordinador de reconstrucción y estabilización, estableciendo la primera capacidad de respuesta civil del Departamento de Estado a los conflictos. También fue coordinador del Departamento de Estado para la asistencia estadounidense a Europa y Eurasia. También ocupó cargos de liderazgo en la Agencia de los Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional, incluso como administrador asistente adjunto para Europa y Eurasia, jefe de política y estrategia para África y en puestos de campo en Mozambique, Sudáfrica y Sudán.
Carlos recibió su Maestría en Políticas Públicas de la Escuela de Gobierno Kennedy de la Universidad de Harvard y su Licenciatura en Artes de la Universidad de Stanford. Su libro, Power and Responsibility, ganó un premio en 2009 al mejor libro de ciencia política publicado por una editorial independiente.
S&P Global Market Intelligence
Chris Rogers
Head of Supply Chain Research
Chris Rogers is Head of Supply Chain Research at S&P Global Market Intelligence. He has over 25 years of research experience, including more than a decade covering global supply chains. He has worked at firms including Panjiva (acquired by S&P Global in 2018), Bloomberg, JP Morgan, and most recently freight forwarder Flexport. His coverage includes corporate decision-making, international trade policy, and logistics network operations.
S&P Global Market Intelligence
Nathan Stovall
Director of FIG Research
Nathan Stovall, with 17 years' experience covering the banking sector, is a principal analyst for the FIG Research offering of S&P Global Market Intelligence. His primary responsibilities include covering and analyzing financial institutions, with a focus on the banking industry.
He is the author of the banking blog, Street Talk, and host of the podcast by the same name. His in-depth analysis of the banking industry, including a focus on community banks, can be found on SPGMI's Research & Analysis feature, which includes historical and forward-looking performance figures.
During his tenure, he has regularly covered and participated on the conference circuit, moderating panels and webinars focused on major issues facing banks. He has spoken as industry events as well, offering updates on bank fundamentals, market conditions and forecasts for what lies ahead. He has been quoted in a number of trade publications and the national press, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Financial Times and has appeared on Fox Business News and NPR's Planet Money.
Nathan holds a Bachelor of Arts degrees from Washington & Lee University, where he majored in business journalism
S&P Global Market Intelligence
Natznet Tesfay
Head of Insights & Analysis
Her areas of specialization include geopolitical risks and influence mapping affecting emerging market debt vulnerabilities, energy transition pathways and global supply chain re-alignment. Before leading the research group, Natznet led the Africa team for over a decade, developing the integrated analytic capabilities as well as regional risk indicator and horizon scanning infrastructure, drawing on a range of methodologies such as geospatial analysis and scenario modeling techniques
S&P Global Ratings
Ruth Yang
Managing Director, Global Head of Ratings Thought Leadership
As Global Head of Private Markets & Thought Leadership, Ruth Yang is responsible for developing and expanding S&P Global Ratings’ coverage of private credit alongside the franchise’s market engagement in both public and private markets through thought leadership outreach. She serves as the Chair of the cross-divisional S&P Global Private Debt Research Lab.
Previously, she led the company’s Credit Research & Insights research team, overseeing the creation and publication of macro-credit and thematic research, risk assessments, rating transition analyses, and credit market forecasts while governing the Credit Conditions Committee (CCC) process. Ruth has more than 25 years of experience in the leveraged finance markets—including with Fitch Solutions as Managing Director for Leveraged Finance Intelligence, where she was responsible for developing their leveraged finance offerings; and with Leveraged Commentary & Data, where she managed leveraged finance content and operations globally for more than 15 years.
Ruth received an A.B. with honors from Harvard University.