Experts predict that the impact investing market will be worth more than $300 billion by 2020. Impact investing – which seeks a specific environmental, social or governance return above and beyond a strictly financial return – can be a particularly valuable tool for foundations and donor advised funds that seek to align their investments with their grantmaking mission.
An increasing number of giving families are exploring impact investing, dedicating either a small portion or, in some cases, all of their assets to this approach. This webinar will discuss this investing approach, and share perspectives and examples from families who have made this choice.
Featured speakers
Ami Aronson, MPH, an entrepreneurial thought-leader in responsive philanthropy, is the Executive Director of the Bernstein Family Foundation. Aronson oversees the foundation’s governance, grant making and communications.
Because of her forward-thinking approach and management skills, she has taken the historic foundation into the 21st century through strategic planning and dynamic community engagement. Aronson’s passion for exploring different points of view and her understanding of strategic alliances makes her an ally for her organization with the greater community.
Engaging in ongoing critical dialogue with community leaders in the Foundation’s three focus areas – Jewish Causes, American Democracy, and Arts & Culture – Aronson helps solve problems for collective benefit and impact. She combines a private sector mindset with a non-profit understanding that allows her to creatively bring innovative ideas to every organization.
Prior to joining the Foundation in 2008, Aronson was involved with global public health issues including women’s health, adolescent health, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, violence prevention and nutrition education. With over 18 years of experience in designing, implementing and evaluating social marketing programs, Aronson leads with compassion and extensive knowledge. Her international experience in Africa, Asia and the Middle East influences her work.
Aronson received her graduate degree in International Public Health from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and undergraduate degree in Medical Anthropology from University of California, Santa Cruz. She resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband and young children.
Jenny Abramson is the Founder & Managing Partner of Rethink Impact. She has been covered in Forbes, on CNN, in The New York Times, and in The Washington Post, interviewed on Squawk Box, featured at the Code Conference, at the United Nations, and on Capitol Hill, and was named Top 40 Under 40, a DC Power Women in Tech and a DC Tech Titan.
Previously Jenny served as CEO of LiveSafe, a mobile security company focused on preventing school shootings and sexual assaults. She also held leadership roles at The Washington Post, Personal (a data tech company), The Boston Consulting Group, D.C. Public Schools, and Teach for America.
Jenny received bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honors from Stanford University, an MBA with honors and the Dean’s Award from Harvard Business School and was a Fulbright Scholar at The London School of Economics. Jenny sits on four private sector boards and four nonprofit boards.
Fuller E. Callaway serves as a trustee on the Morning Star Foundation. He is a financial advisor for the Indigo Group at Morgan Stanley, focused on impact investing. Previously, he worked in the Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP) program and was a portfolio manager at the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA). In this role, he managed the $55 million revolving loan fund to provide financing to local governments, conservation organizations, and landowners for permanent land conservation projects. He was also involved in the program and portfolio management of the $2 billion clean water and drinking water revolving loan funds for Georgia. Before coming to GEFA, Fuller served as the land conservation specialist for the Georgia Conservancy for four years, where he educated and advised private landowners across the state on the financial and environmental benefits of conservation. He led the program to preserve in perpetuity over 30,000 acres of high biodiversity habitat along major rivers, streams, and mountain ranges across the state. He also assisted land owners in the restoration of degraded and altered landscapes across thousands of acres throughout the state. Fuller earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Georgia State University and was Chief Investment Officer for the Student Endowment Fund at the University.
Lauren Embrey is the Philanthropic Vision of The Embrey Family Foundation and CEO of Embrey Interests, Ltd. She also serves as a Board Member of The AT&T Performing Arts Center, The Dallas Film Society, The Dallas Theater Center, The Letot Center Foundation Board, and TACA in Dallas, The MS Foundation for Women, The Women’s Media Center, and Women Moving Millions in New York City.
Lauren received her Bachelor’s in Business Administrations and her Masters in Liberal Studies from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.
Note: National Center for Family Philanthropy Webinars are a resource for GWP members who work with a Family Foundation only. Not sure if you're eligible to attend? Ask Jenny.