Blackstone Group LP hired Tanya Barnes, a former managing director at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., to lead a new impact investing strategy, as pension plans and other institutions seek to put money into more businesses with social and environmental benefits. Blackstone’s impact initiative will fall under its Strategic Partners group, run by Verdun Perry, and focus on investments advancing health and well-being, financial access, sustainable communities and green technologies, according to the New York-based firm. Along with direct investments, the strategy will include co-investing with other managers making socially conscious bets, Barnes said.