Impact Investing Excellence: A Compilation of Four Leading Minds Working On Social Change (#052)

SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing

In celebration of the SRI360 podcast's second anniversary, I’ve prepared a special four-in-one episode featuring curated segments from four extraordinary leaders in impact investing and social change. These stories highlight their unwavering commitment to using finance as a tool for positive change, showcasing how these pioneers are leading the way in sustainable and responsible investing. Here are the featured guests:
1. Jenn Pryce, President and CEO of Calvert Impact Capital.

Under her leadership, Calvert Impact Capital has raised nearly $3.5 billion, investing in communities and businesses overlooked by traditional finance in over 100 countries. Jenn’s story highlights the importance of making impact investing accessible to both institutional and retail investors.
Full episode here.
2. Sharon Vosmek, CEO of Astia and Managing Partner of the Astia Fund.

Sharon is a venture capitalist who directly invests in and syndicates investors into high-growth start-ups founded and led by women. She talks about the under-investment by venture capital firms in women-led companies, citing interesting statistics on how much money seems to be left on the table by doing so.
Full episode here.
3. Ben Rick, is the Co-Founder of Social and Sustainable Capital.

Ben transitioned from a successful career in investment banking to co-founding a firm that provides flexible capital to social sector organizations in the UK. His passion for making a difference has driven him to support initiatives tackling society's most pressing challenges and improving the lives of disadvantaged people.
Full episode here.
4. Stewart Langdon, Partner and Co-Head of South Asian Investments at LeapFrog Investments.

Stewart's expertise in financial and healthcare services investments across emerging markets has made a significant impact on low-income populations. With a focus on both financial returns and social impact, Stewart discusses LeapFrog’s rigorous investment decision-making process and the transformative power of technology in providing essential services.
Full episode here.
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About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, I interview a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes.
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Key Takeaways:
Introduction (00:00)
Sharon Vosmek explains Astia’s mission & theory of change (03:53)
Key statistics about women’s inclusion in venture capital investing (10:59)
Ben Rick tells us about Social and Sustainable Capital’s Social Housing Fund (18:44)
How Ben Rick makes investing decisions (25:39)
Jenn Pryce talks about community investing with Calvert Impact Capital (37:47)
An example of an investment with positive financial and impact results (46:25)
How the community investment note works, strategies & due diligence (52:25)
Stewart Langdon shares an overview of LeapFrog (01:01:29)
How LeapFrog was founded, how they deploy capital & investment examples (01:09:28)