In this episode of Be & Think in the House of Trust, I am speaking with Pauline Koelbl.

Pauline is an Innovation Catalyst & Impact investor with a gender lens, with over 20 years of experience in international affairs, philanthropy innovation and entrepreneurship. She leads ShEquity, providing smart and sustainable investments for African female entrepreneurs and innovators. Together we explore what it takes to be a catalyst impact investor in Africa, the beliefs that are not useful and the efforts we need to put in, in order to grasp the reality on the ground and the huge potential ahead.

Highlights from this episode

(2:43) How to achieve a triple-bottom-line return

(8:37) Why you should understand the people around you

(10:15) Distinguish perceived risks vs actual risks

(15:42) How your biases are a limitation to achieving your objectives

(17:15) The definition of a catalyst investor

(19:12) Not just a leader, but a seeker too.

Useful links

ShEquity: https://shequity.com/

Connect with Pauline Koelbl on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauline-koelbl-36112327

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In this episode of “Be and Think in the House of Trust, I am listening to Joy Anderson, Founder and President of Criterion Institute, the leading think-tank, using finance as a tool for social change.

Joy is a prominent leader at the intersection of business and social change. Named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business, Anderson played a significant role in building new fields, developing gender lens investing, partnering with faith-based ecosystems to transform their relationship with finance, and demonstrating new ways to shape markets to create good.

Joy and I talk about what it takes to develop a gender lens investing ecosystem, the power of invitation and hospitality, the dark side of power dynamics, our duty to address this, and how Joy’s values are a strong foundation and guidance for the work to be done.

Highlights of this episode

(2:10) What’s more important than hope?

(5:39) We weren’t addressing issues of power

(10:30) People who use imagination to create social change

(11:34) You don’t want to be stupid

(16:46) Relationships begin, not when we encounter but when we first invite.

(20:17) We don’t build investment funds that meet what the world needs!

(21:15) Let's fix the capital, not the companies…

Useful links

Criterion Institute Website: https://criterioninstitute.org/

Follow Joy Anderson on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-anderson/

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In this episode of Be & Think in the House of Trust, I am listening to Esme Verity, the founder of Considered Capital, a platform for startups and organisations seeking alternative funding. Considered Capital simplifies and speeds up the journey to finding and accessing the right funding fit through courses, community and content.

She is an active angel investor and was named one of the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise by Pioneers Post.   

Esme and I discuss how to be authentic and practical when supporting founders raising mission-aligned funding. We talk about the importance of building genuine relationships, finding collaborators, and creating a platform that provides information and support for founders looking to make a meaningful impact.

Verity also shares her journey of discovering the concept of "zebras" (as opposed to unicorns) and how it has influenced her approach to funding.

Highlights from this episode: 

(01:45) What brings you joy?  

(06:45) How to show up and dazzle  

(11:35) Connecting with like-minded problem-solvers  

(15:22) Tackling the impossible 

(19:53) No place for fear 

Useful Links: 

Find Esme on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/esme-verity-33213183/

Considered Capital https://www.consideredcapital.io/

Zebras Unite  https://zebrasunite.coop/

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In this episode of Be & Think in the House of Trust, I am listening to Bonnie Chiu, a serial entrepreneur, advisor and impact investment specialist focused on challenging systems of inequalities. 

She is also the founder and managing director of The Social Investment Consultancy - a global network of consultants specialising in social impact measurement, social investment and diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. 

In this episode, Bonnie shares her story, why she is driven to challenge systemic inequalities in capital markets, and how she built her dream of investing in, and growing, social enterprises.  

From this conversation, we learn how dancing with systems, giving attention, and demanding equity, are avenues to show up when igniting social change.

Highlights from this episode: 

(02:08) Growing up in Hong Kong 

(08:52) Nothing is permanent 

(11:21) A guardian of dreams for others 

(16:41) The concept of scarcity in economics 

(18:58) Changing the world through protest 

Useful Links: 

Connect with Bonnie on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bonniesychiu/

The Social Investment Consultancy https://www.tsiconsultancy.com/

Lensational https://www.lensational.org

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In this episode of Be & Think in the House of Trust, I loved listening to Erika Brodnock, an angel investor, a UK-based award-winning entrepreneur, CEO and founder of Kinhub, a philanthropist and behavioural scientist, on a mission to create fairer, more equitable workplaces for everyone. 

Erika works at the intersection of technology, well-being and product development, and she made it a purpose to find and clear paths out of outdated systems. She is the author of Extend Ventures’ Diversity Beyond Gender, the co-author of the TRANSPARENT Framework, and recently Better Venture. 

In the House of Trust, we discuss obstacles around diversity in the investment world, the barriers to entry for minoritised entrepreneurs seeking funding, and practical ways forward.

Plus, Erika shares her vision of a fairer, more equal future. 

Highlights from this episode: 

(04:15) This is the biggest issue with venture funding 

(08:03) The importance of getting to know people 

(10:57) The wealthiest place on Earth are the graveyards 

(15:44) Rising tides raise all boats 

(18:28) The white ally 

(20:21) What will the world be like in 2033? 

Useful Links 

Connect with Erika Brodnock on LinkedIn 

Kinhub https://www.kinhub.com/employers

Extend Ventures https://www.extend.vc/diversity-beyond-gender

(Report) TRANSPARENT Framework

(Book) Better Venture

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In this episode of Be & Think in the House of Trust, I am speaking with Vicki Saunders.

Vicki is an entrepreneur, award-winning mentor, advisor to the next generation of change-makers and leading advocate for entrepreneurship as a way of creating positive transformation in the world. Vicki is the Founder of #radical generosity and Coralus (formerly SheEO), a global community of radically generous women supporting women-led ventures working on the world’s To-Do List.

Highlights from this episode:

• (02:01) Vicki’s practice of being more graceful

• (7:21) We are looking for businesses that are healing

• (08:36) The hardest part of being an entrepreneur

• (14:13) The collective vs. the individual

• (25:39) Control is wildly expensive.

Useful Links

Become an activator or a Coralus Venture https://coralus.world/

Connect with Vicki Saunders on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/vsaunders/

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In today’s episode of Be and Think in the House of Trust, I am reflecting on the themes, patterns and ideas Social Investors shared in this first series

We learned about the complexity and the necessity of pausing, building meaningful relationships, and challenging our blindspots. 

My guests thought about how they intuitively and technically create the financial conditions that serve communities to do better and more for others, and in an unharmful way.

I am curious to discover the freshest thoughts and perspectives you have on these various topics!

Highlights

(4:26) Blind spots have an impact on ideas, innovation, and design

(6:48) Give a gracious space

(11:05) Power with, not power over

(17:57) A Brazilian swing

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In this episode of Be & Think in the House of Trust, I am listening to Daniela Soares, the CEO of Snowball Impact Management, a diversified investment fund that creates positive outcomes for people and planet whilst generating competitive financial returns.

Daniela is also, among other things, a non-executive director at Inter-Continental Hotels Group PLC, a trustee of the Institute for the Future of Work, and she is executive chair of Gov Digital, a private technology business working with the public sector to improve social services in Brazil.

Daniela and I explore why transparency is important when we lead on investments. There is no time to rearrange the chairs on the deck of the Titanic, no time for impact washing. Having the discipline to embrace transparency is a force for good.

Highlights from this episode:

• (03:25) Passion alone is not enough. You need to add discipline
• (05:16) What are the real risks?
• (00:13) I resist this idea that we're powerless in the system
• (15:05) Holding the investment industry to account
• (21:29) Be naked when investing?

Useful Links

Follow Daniela Barone Soares on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-barone-soares

Discover Snowball Impact Management https://www.snowball.im/

Follow Servane on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

and at Conscious Innovation https://www.servanemouazan.co.uk/

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In this episode of Be & Think in the House of Trust, I am listening to Chris West, an entrepreneur and partner at Sumerian Partners and Sumerian Foundation who pioneered an enterprise-based approach to investment.

In the past, Chris worked with a variety of donors, governments, NGOs and businesses in over a hundred developing countries. Chris's approach to investing is like dating: there is something beautiful and inspiring in engaging in healthy relationships and empathising with one another. :-)

Highlights from this episode:

• (01:40) Creating disruption
• (06:35) Bringing value to investing partnerships
• (10:14) Is social investment turning into commercial investment?
• (16:03) Everyone should be obsessed with impact
• (16:45) Being in the shoes of the people you support

Useful Links

Chris West on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-west-8a927215

Sumerian Foundation: https://www.sumerianfoundation.org/

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan

In this episode of Be & Think in the House of Trust, I am speaking with Zoe Peden.

Zoe has a background in publishing, social entrepreneurship and health tech.

I love that back in 2010, she co-founded an assistive technology company that’s helped over 100,000 people lead more independent lives. 

Social mobility is also a topic she holds dear.

Zoe comes from a working-class family and with 20 years of experience in operating technology companies and making board decisions, she is now a Partner at Ananda Impact Ventures.

Zoe shares her hopeful insights on what needs to change within Venture Capitalism, and the sprouting seeds of change.

Highlights from this episode:

• (06:22) Where are the blindspots in VC?
• (10:30) Be proud of your roots
• (12:55) Engaging the quiet revolution
• (14:27) The one question to a VC
• (16:49) A natural optimist
• (19:46) Finance is relying on short-term bets. Things need to change.

Useful Link

Connect with Zoe on Linkedin

Ananda Impact Ventures

Connect with Servane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/servanemouazan/

Website: https://servanemouazan.co.uk

Subscribe to Conscious Innovation updates:

http://eepurl.com/hp0h55

Podcast Music Production from Series 04 Ep 45: Milig Mouazan-Strachan