Better Money Better World

In the latest from the BMBW podcast, Daniel joins Sabari Raja and Yigal Kerszenbaum, co-managing partners of JFFVentures. The conversation delves deep into the future of work, the growing need for upskilling, and how innovative solutions are shaping emerging job markets. 

JFFVentures is operationally independent but strategically aligned to Jobs for the Future (JFF), a forty-year-old national nonprofit working across the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. Together, they’re working to get 75 million people facing systemic barriers to advancement into quality jobs by 2033.

Sabari and Yigal share how JFFVentures supports founders by leveraging JFF's unique strengths and mobilizing JFF’s extensive networks to help founders scale impact across the learn-to-work ecosystem. Their focused strategy includes investing in solutions that benefit middle- to low-income earners and leveraging tech-enabled scalable solutions to ensure a broad impact.

Tune in to the full episode for a thought-provoking conversation on building a better workforce and driving meaningful economic impact.

Blue Earth Capital, a specialist global impact investor, is making waves in the world of impact investing by pioneering impact secondaries among other strategies. As Managing Director and Head of Private Equity Partnerships at BlueEarth, Nicolas Muller is focused on delivering social and environmental impact combined with market-rate returns.

In this episode, Nicolas shares how BlueEarth isn’t just talking about change—they’re making it happen. Under his leadership, his team has built a powerful portfolio, with notable investments including  African FinTechs, an EdTech in the US, in innovative bioagriculture companies, and a Ukrainian gender-smart strategy to support quality jobs. With over $1.2 billion in assets under management, BlueEarth is globally impacting both developed and emerging markets.

To discover how BlueEarth is not just investing in the future but actively building it, one investment at a time, tune in as Daniel dives into how BlueEarth is making a real difference in impact investing by combining profit with purpose.

Shundrawn Thomas, Founder and Managing Partner of The Copia Group, built Copia to provide bespoke capital solutions to privately held, U.S.-based companies that are committed to economic Inclusion. Copia is one of the only impact-driven private debt funds.

Shundrawn shifted his focus to private investing after serving as President of Northern Trust Asset Management -- where he was responsible for an over $1 Trillion business. A unique combination of career experiences shaped his entrepreneurial path and inspired him to start The Copia Group.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in the intersection of social impact and finance. Whether you're an investor, entrepreneur, or just curious about making a difference, this episode is one you can’t miss. Tune in now to gather inspiration and actionable strategies for inclusive investing!

In this episode, Daniel is joined by Dan Prawda, Founding Partner of GEF Capital Partners and co-head of the U.S. investment practice. GEF makes lower middle-market buyout investments in environmentally focused companies addressing climate change and/or pollution remediation.

Join us for this insightful conversation delving deep into the world of climate-focused lower mid-market buyout investments in the United States and exploring how GEF Capital aims to address climate change and pollution remediation profitably. Daniel and Dan also discuss the rich history behind GEF Capital Partners, the extensive experience in private equity, and the importance of a global team.

In today's episode, Daniel is joined by Todd Leverette, an indisputable authority on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Todd’s insights into the intricate dynamics of ESOPs leave no doubt about their transformative potential.

Todd is a founding partner of APIS & Heritage Capital Partners. APIS & Heritage invest in companies going through ownership transitions to implement Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), which aim to empower employees by giving them a stake in the company's success.

Join us as Daniel engages in a captivating discussion with Todd Leverette, uncovering the complexities of employee ownership and its significant implications for wealth creation and corporate resilience.

In this episode, Daniel delves into the thesis and track record of Blackhorn Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund investing in founders transforming how we build, power, and move our world. Melissa Cheong, Managing Director at Blackhorn, sheds light on the company's transformative role in reshaping legacy industries.

Melissa has a long career in impact investing and in addition to her role as General Partner at Blackhorn, she’s an investment committee member of Blue Earth Capital, a leading alternative investor in impact, and Bonfils Stanton Foundation, a Denver-based organization focusing on arts and culture.

Join us for a conversation with one of the few female GPs in venture capital; a leading investor with a track record of identifying technological innovation for societal impact, and learn how Blackhorn Ventures approach is transforming transportation, energy, construction, supply chain and logistics for a brighter and more sustainable future.

H/L Ventures integrates venture studio and investment fund strategies for purpose-driven businesses and was founded 16 years ago. Now, H/L Ventures stands out as a trailblazer in holistic company building, home to entities like H/L Studios and City Rock Ventures. Diverging from conventional venture firms, H/L Ventures is most differentiated for pioneering a deeply hands-on approach, actively participating in the daily operations of portfolio companies showcasing a profound commitment to their success.

In this episode, Daniel is joined by Oliver B. Libby (co-founding Managing Partner) as they explore the nuances of investing with a focus on impact.

Nuveen, the wholly-owned asset manager of TIAA, a renowned financial services company specializing in retirement savings, manages over a trillion dollars of AUM, with TIAA's capital exceeding $350 billion. Rekha Unnithan leads Nuveen Private Equity Impact in the alternative asset class, managing over $1 billion. Focusing on climate and inclusion within the growth equity space, Nuveen Private Equity Impact has thrived, resulting in the creation of Nuveen Climate Inclusion strategy, following the success of Fund 1 in 2020.

Join Daniel and Rekha (Managing Director and Global Head of Private Equity Impact Investing) as they unravel Nuveen's journey, showcasing a harmonious blend of financial success and impactful change in the world of climate and inclusion.

GCM Grosvenor is a global alternative asset manager with over 50 years of experience investing across private equity, real estate, infrastructure, credit, and absolute return strategies. They are a pioneer in customized solutions and a leader in providing innovative turn-key multi-client products. They provide clients with flexible access to alternative investments through a range of implementation strategies, including funds, co-investments, secondary transactions, and direct investments.  

Listen as Daniel takes a deep dive into the world of sustainable investing with Jonathan Hirschtritt, Head of Sustainability at GCM Grosvenor, providing nuanced insights into the intersection of investment and diversity.

In 2017, Ford Foundation President Darren Walker embarked on an ambitious proposal to invest 8% of its then $12.5bn endowment – or roughly $1 billion – into impact investing and hired Roy Swan to run the effort.  What could one of the most well-known foundations in the world do with the “other 95%” of their assets?  The Foundation recently released a report on their efforts – highlighting a 28% compound annual return.  Listen as head of Mission Investments Roy Swan describes the journey.