The Geneva Connection

Impact investing plays a crucial role in closing the $4 trillion SDG financing gap, yet represents only 1.2% of global assets. How can we scale it to meet the world's needs? In this episode, Guillaume Bonnel, CEO of the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI), examines the barriers constraining impact investing — from liquidity challenges and misaligned risk perceptions to regulatory obstacles — and explores how blended finance can unlock private capital at scale. He discusses how concessional capital, platform approaches, and enhanced data standardization can align public and private interests, ensure genuine additionality, and channel investment flows toward emerging markets where both impact potential and growth opportunities are greatest.

Season 2 is produced in collaboration with the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI).

Hosted by Luka Biernacki.

Also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGenevaConnection

Let’s Talk Finance! Let’s Talk Impact!

Development is often framed as aid, but for Jeffrey Sachs, one of the world’s leading development economists, it’s first and foremost an investment challenge. In this opening episode, Professor Sachs explores why capital isn’t flowing to the countries that need it most, how risk perceptions keep private money out of poor economies, and what a new investment-led development model could look like by 2030.

The episode is part of Season 2 of The Geneva Connection — “Bridging the Gap: Financing the Future of Sustainable Development.” This four-episode season takes listeners inside the world of development finance: why capital isn’t flowing where it’s needed most, and how blended finance, catalytic capital, and impact investing can help close the $4.2 trillion SDG funding gap. From big-picture insights to practical solutions, we explore what it will take to turn ambition into investible impact.

Season 2 is produced in collaboration with the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (SIFI).

Hosted by Luka Biernacki.

Also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGenevaConnection

Let’s Talk Finance! Let’s Talk Impact!

Guests: Dimple Sahni, Yuko Takano, Kostis Tselenis. This episode explores the evolution of impact investing once seen as a niche, now emerging as a powerful strategy to reshape how capital is allocated, measured, and scaled across financial systems. Through three grounded conversations, we examine how investors across asset classes from institutional portfolios to early-stage startups are embedding impact into core decision-making.

PART 1 From Values to Value — Embedding Impact into Investing

Dimple Sahni, Managing Director, Multi Asset Impact Investing, Anthos Fund & Asset Management

PART 2 Transparency, Data, and Strategy in Impact Investing

Yuko Takano, Co-Lead Investment Manager, Pictet Group

PART 3 Fuel for the Future — Scaling Impact Through Venture Capital

Kostis Tselenis, Managing Partner, Swiss Impact Office

Timestamps:

Dimple Sahni (1:32)

Yuko Takano (13:28)

Kostis Tselenis (25:29)

Season 1 was recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva.

Guests: Adrian Schatzmann, Anja Hannerz, Helena Viñes Fiestas. In this episode, we explore the fundamentals of transition finance and how financial institutions, businesses, and policymakers are working together to bridge today’s economy with a low-carbon future. With trillions needed annually to stay on track, we ask: Where is capital most needed? Which approaches are delivering results? And how can we make transition finance both effective and equitable?

PART 1: The Role of Financial Institutions in Transition Finance

Adrian Schatzmann, CEO, Asset Management Association Switzerland

PART 2: Real Economy Impact and Scaling Transition Finance

Anja Hannerz, Group Head of Sustainability, Nordea

PART 3: Policy Frameworks and the EU Perspective

Helena Viñes Fiestas, Chair, EU Platform on Sustainable Finance & Co-Chair, UN Taskforce on Net-Zero Policy

Timestamps:

Adrian Schatzmann (00:56)

Hosted by Luka Biernacki.

Season 1 was recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva. 

Guests: Delilah Rothenberg, James Mwangi, Jean Pesme. In this episode we examine how finance can become a tool for closing wealth gaps, empowering marginalised communities, and ensuring that sustainable development is truly inclusive. From rethinking investment frameworks to designing financial systems that work for all, our guests provide insights into how finance can shape a better future

PART 1: The Role of Finance in Addressing Systemic Inequalities

Delilah Rothenberg, Co-Founder & Executive Director, The Predistribution Initiative

PART 2: Financial Inclusion and Equity

James Mwangi, CEO, Equity Group Holdings

PART 3: Global Financial Systems and Development Goals

Jean Pesme, Global Director, Finance, World Bank

Timestamps:

Hosted by Luka Biernacki.

Season 1 was recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva. 

Guests: André Hoffmann, Mark Halle, Xiye Bastida. This episode explores nature finance and its expanding role in business and investment. From rethinking accounting frameworks to embedding biodiversity in corporate strategies and scaling nature-positive solutions, our guests explore the systemic shifts needed to integrate nature into financial systems for long-term resilience. We also examine the crucial role of Indigenous knowledge and youth activism in shaping a more inclusive and effective nature finance system.

PART 1 Building the Business Case for Nature

PART 2 The Private Sector’s Role in Valuing Nature

PART 3 Funding for Nature: An Indigenous Perspective

Timestamps:

Hosted by Luka Biernacki.

Season 1 was recorded in December 2024 at the Building Bridges Summit in Geneva. 

Guests: Patrick Odier, Karen Hitschke, August Benz. In this first episode, we explore the latest Building Bridges Summit in Geneva, featuring insights from key leaders driving the initiative and shaping the future of Sustainable Finance: 

Timestamps:

(02:31) Patrick Odier 

Welcome to The Geneva Connection! Season 1—"Building Bridges 5th Edition: Pushing Boundaries, Inspiring Change"—dives into the future of finance in collaboration with the Building Bridges Foundation. Across five thought-provoking episodes, we explore key themes like nature finance, impact investing, transition finance, and the social and equity dimensions of finance.

Get exclusive insights from the latest Building Bridges Summit (December 2024) as leading experts share bold ideas, innovative strategies, and actionable solutions to drive meaningful change. Tune in and be part of the conversation shaping the finance of tomorrow!