John Roe is the head of BlackRock Investment Stewardship (BIS) in the Americas. The team engages companies and others in the investment stewardship ecosystem to promote the governance and business practices aligned with long-term value creation by the companies in which BlackRock invests on behalf of clients. The BIS Americas team is responsible for engaging with and voting proxies at more than 4,500 companies across North America, Central America, and South America.

Previously, John was a Partner and co-leader of the ESG practice at the corporate communications firm Joele Frank. In this role he advised boards of directors and senior executives on ESG matters including board composition, diversity & inclusion, executive compensation, ESG disclosure and reporting, and shareholder engagement. He has additionally led the Analytics and Corporate Advisory teams at Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), a proxy advisory firm, and served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of an investment advisor. John served on the White House staff supporting the development of the Office of Homeland Security in 2001-2002, was a consultant with McKinsey & Company, and served as an officer in the United States Coast Guard.

John is also a licensed pilot, a shade tree mechanic, and a recovering electrical engineer.