Invest for Better Partners with Wealth Catalyst to Advance Values-Aligned Investing

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Invest for Better Partners with Wealth Catalyst to Advance Values-Aligned Investing

“Our vision has always been to make investing accessible, social, & actionable. Partnering with Wealth Catalyst allows us to take what’s already thriving in the Bay Area and bring it to the next level.” — Janine Firpo, Co-Founder of Invest for Better

The partnership expands an already-thriving hub of investors, founders, and changemakers leading with purpose.
Invest for Better (IFB), the national nonprofit movement empowering women to invest with purpose, announced a partnership with Wealth Catalyst to accelerate the growth and impact of the Bay Area Invest for Better Hub.

The Bay Area Hub, active since early 2025, has quickly become a vibrant gathering place for women investors, founders, and changemakers across the region. This new partnership between IFB and Wealth Catalyst will deepen programming, broaden community access, and create a model for how regional hubs can integrate education, connection, and action.

Syama Bunten, Co-Founder of Wealth Catalyst and a founding member of the Bay Area Hub’s volunteer leadership team, currently serves on IFB’s national Steering Committee — a governance body guiding IFB’s mission and strategy. Through this collaboration, Wealth Catalyst will lead efforts to expand the Hub’s reach and catalyze new opportunities for women to align capital with their values.

“Our vision has always been to make investing accessible, social, and actionable,” said Janine Firpo, Co-Founder of Invest for Better. “Partnering with Wealth Catalyst allows us to take what’s already thriving in the Bay Area and bring it to the next level, creating a model for how local leadership drives national impact.”

“This partnership represents what’s possible when women lead together,” said Syama Bunten, Co-Founder of Wealth Catalyst and member of the IFB Steering Committee. “The Bay Area Hub has always been about more than events, it’s about building confidence, community, and collective power. With IFB’s national framework and Wealth Catalyst’s focus on activation, we’re accelerating a movement.”

Together, IFB and Wealth Catalyst will continue to host gatherings and collaborations that connect women around shared purpose. Helping them move from awareness to action, from wealth-building to wealth-shaping.

About Invest for Better

Invest for Better is a national nonprofit, founded by Janine Firpo and Ellen Remmer, dedicated to helping women demystify investing, grow their confidence, and move money in alignment with their values. With active hubs and circles across the U.S., IFB connects women through education, peer learning, and collective action.

Learn more at www.investforbetter.org

About Wealth Catalyst

Wealth Catalyst is a movement and community founded by Syama & Jonathan Bunten and empowering women to build wealth on their own terms. Through summits, salons, courses, and curated experiences, Wealth Catalyst helps women align their capital with their values — transforming financial confidence into collective power.

Learn more at www.wealthcatalyst.com

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Company Name: Invest for Better
Contact Person: Whitney Sattel
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Country: United States
Website:https://investforbetter.org/

Now What? Moving Forward Together After the Election

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No matter how you’re feeling about the election results, one thing remains clear: Invest for Better’s mission has never been more important. Based on what we have seen over the past year, we can be fairly certain that the new administration will be working hard to undermine our ability to invest our money in climate change, community development, gender equity, or other causes we value.

The Landscape May Shift, But Our Mission Stays True

There is little doubt that there are rough and rocky roads ahead for those of us who care deeply about equity and sustainability. However, while the landscape may shift, our values remain steadfast and we remain as committed to our goals as ever.

Elections come and go, and while the outcomes can be surprising or even unsettling, we believe in something that transcends political cycles. At Invest for Better, we are guided by the conviction that the power to shape our future isn’t confined to the ballot box. It’s also in the decisions we make every day with our money.

As women, we have the power to influence the world by where we choose to invest, the companies we support, and the causes we champion. When we align our finances with our values, we are not only growing our wealth—we are driving positive change.

Taking Back Control: The Power of Women’s Wealth

Let’s be honest: the issues we care about—economic justice, gender equity, climate action—aren’t going to solve themselves. But here’s the good news: we don’t have to wait for political leaders to fix things for us. We can make a difference right now, with the resources we control. The more we expand our financial influence as women, the more power we have to create the change we want to see.

The recent election reminded us of a critical truth: many Americans are struggling financially, and that sense of economic insecurity drives a lot of fear and division. But instead of deepening those divisions, we can choose a different path. We can invest in solutions that uplift our communities, support equitable businesses, and foster a more inclusive economy.

Climate Action: Our Commitment Isn’t Going Anywhere

We also know that the fight for climate action is far from over. While the election may feel like a setback, the shift to clean energy is unstoppable. The world isn’t slowing down, and neither should we.

Clean energy solutions are already outpacing traditional energy sources in terms of cost and adoption. Even with changes in political leadership, our coalition for climate solutions is bigger, more bipartisan, and more determined than ever. As Gina McCarthy, former climate advisor to Biden, said: “Our country is not turning back.” As investors, we can play an important role in maintaining and accelerating that momentum.

The Future of Impact Investing: Resilient and Growing

We’re closely watching how the regulatory environment around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing is evolving. Recently, Congress has started scrutinizing ESG practices and the new administration is expected to support those efforts, which could have major implications for the future of sustainable investing. On the other hand, the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) states the current size of the impact investing market is estimated to be over $1 trillion and growing. Investing with purpose is not just a trend—it’s a movement that’s already reshaped the financial landscape and become mainstream. And remember, this movement did not start with corporations, asset managers or the government. It started with individuals who cared about how their money was invested – and many of those pioneers were women. We know there will be challenges ahead, but we also know that if we stay vigilant and come together, we have the power to shape the future of investing. We did it once and we can do it again. By using our voices, our choices, and our investments, we can drive change, support the causes we believe in, and build a better future for all of us.

Moving Forward, Together

So, let’s move forward together. Let’s build wealth, invest in each other, and prioritize our planet. The journey to financial independence and impact starts now. Take the first step today: Sign up to join our community. We’re currently offering our Finding a Values Aligned Advisor course for free with membership, launching November 19th.

Together, we will leave our mark—and we’ll do it on our terms.

Why This Election Matters for Women

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Fifty years ago, we couldn’t open a credit card or take out a loan without a man’s signature. Just fifty years! It wasn’t until the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) in 1974 that women gained the financial independence to build credit, buy homes, and grow businesses in our own names. Let that sink in—because it’s a powerful reminder of both how far we’ve come and how much we stand to lose if we don’t keep pushing forward. 

Today, our autonomy is under threat again, especially in healthcare and reproductive rights. The rollback of Roe v. Wade affects far more than just healthcare access; it impacts our ability to participate fully in the workforce, build wealth, and support our families. When women have control over our bodies, we can build stronger futures—for ourselves, our families, and our communities. Taking away that freedom doesn’t just harm individual women—it holds us all back. 

How Healthcare Impacts Wealth and Freedom 

When women lose access to reproductive healthcare, it affects much more than our personal health. Studies show that women who have control over their reproductive decisions are better able to complete their education, pursue careers, and contribute to the economy. In a country that already faces a significant gender wealth gap, these restrictions make achieving financial independence even harder. 

The gender wealth gap isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reality that affects every aspect of our lives. Women, on average, earn less than men, hold fewer assets, and face a greater risk of poverty as we age. This wealth gap reflects not only income disparities but also the compounded effect of a lifetime of economic inequality—from caregiving roles to reduced access to financial opportunities. Add limited healthcare autonomy, and the wealth gap only grows. And when women fall behind, families, communities, and our economy suffer. 

We’re Already Showing Up—and Now’s the Time to Keep Going 

We’re seeing inspiring momentum. In this election cycle, 11.1 million women have already voted early in seven key swing states—outpacing men by more than a million votes (55.2% women to 44.8% men). Women are proving that when we come together, we’re unstoppable. Let’s keep that momentum strong through Election Day. 

Your Vote Matters More Than Ever 

This election, we have the power to shape a future where women don’t just survive—we thrive. Every vote counts in building that future. Reach out to friends, family, and neighbors. Bring them to the polls. Volunteer if you’re able—there are still ways to help others get out to vote. Together, we’re moving forward, not backward. 

When women stand together, we’re a force that can’t be ignored. By voting, we honor the legacy of ECOA and the hard-won progress of those who came before us. Let’s use our voices and our votes to create a future where women have true freedom, equality, and opportunity. We owe it to ourselves and to every woman who fought before us—and we owe it to future generations. 

Using Your Investments to Fight Climate Change

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Image says "There is No Planet B", and used to inspire investing to fight climate change

There are moments in life when a crisis forces us to pause and reflect. For many, that moment is now. With Hurricane Milton leaving its mark on Florida and devastating floods in other regions from Hurricane Helene, we’re reminded of the undeniable reality of climate change. These disasters prompt us to confront the bigger picture—our deep connection to the environment—and ask: What more can we do? While the impact of climate change has long been clear, these moments drive home the urgency. Now, more than ever, is the time to act.

I remember my own turning point. It wasn’t triggered by a storm, but it struck just as hard. While working with microfinance institutions in developing countries, I saw firsthand how small investments could empower women, lift families out of poverty, and spark meaningful change. Yet when I returned home, I realized I wasn’t sure if my personal investments aligned with the causes I cared about.

While I was working to uplift others globally, my investments might have been supporting companies contributing to the very problems I wanted to solve. That realization hit me like a lightning bolt. I knew I had to do better—not just in my work, but with my finances.

That’s when I decided to align my investments with my values. I wanted my money to work for the causes that mattered to me—fighting climate change, advancing gender equity, and promoting social justice. Taking control of my financial choices was empowering, and it felt like I was contributing to the world I wanted to see.

I know I’m not alone. More and more women are waking up to the fact that our money is a powerful tool for change. We’re realizing that how we invest matters, and every dollar is a vote for the future we want to create.

If these recent storms—or other moments in your life—have made you pause and ask, What role can I play?, now is the perfect time to take action. Reflect on your own financial decisions: Are your investments aligned with the future you want to see? If not, it’s okay—many of us have started from that same place of uncertainty. It’s never too late to make a change. By aligning your money with your values, you can be part of the solution. Small actions can lead to transformative change, and our collective impact through conscious investing can shape a better world.

Ready to make a difference? Start by evaluating your portfolio with tools like As You Sow to see how aligned your investments are with your values. Consider joining a community of like-minded individuals through organizations like Invest for Better, where women come together to learn and take action in values-driven investing. Together, we can make the change we seek.

What You Should Know About ESG Investing in the Upcoming Election

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As the November election approaches, many of us are focused on what the outcome could mean for our careers, communities, and the future of the country. But have you thought about how the results might affect your investments? Specifically, if you’re passionate about sustainable, responsible, and impact investing—this election could shape the future of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. 

While the financial markets react to broader policy shifts, ESG investing is about more than just financial returns. It’s about aligning your money with values like sustainability, social justice, and good corporate governance. And the next administration’s policies will likely play a big role in how you can continue to incorporate these principles into your investments. 

Why ESG Investing Matters 

At its core, ESG investing reflects a growing desire to ensure that the companies we invest in are considering factors that affect both people and the planet. It’s not just about profit—it’s about responsible profit. This growing movement allows investors to support companies that prioritize diversity, ethics, environmental responsibility, and good governance. 

But the regulatory environment around ESG is evolving. Recently, Congress has started scrutinizing ESG practices, and this could have big implications for the future of sustainable investing. For example: 

  • H.R. 5339: Protecting Americans’ Investments from Woke Policies Act: This bill could cause confusion about when and how investors can take factors like climate change and social responsibility into account in their investment decisions. 
  • H.R. 4790: Prioritizing Economic Growth Over Woke Policies Act: This would limit the rights of shareholders to push companies on ESG issues and give more control to companies about what they disclose. 

If you’re someone who believes in using your investments to create positive change, these are critical points to pay attention to. 

What to Consider When Voting 

Whether you’re a seasoned ESG investor or just starting to explore it, it’s worth considering a few key things when researching candidates in this election: 

  1. Where do candidates stand on ESG investing? 

Some politicians support the freedom to invest in companies based on ESG principles, while others see ESG as a potential distraction from financial returns. Understanding where your preferred candidates stand is crucial if ESG investing is important to you. 

  1. How do they approach corporate responsibility? 

Are the candidates advocating for stronger regulations on issues like climate change, corporate ethics, and diversity? Some favor tighter regulations, while others take a hands-off approach, leaving companies to make their own choices. 

  1. What will this mean for shareholder rights? 

ESG investing often relies on shareholder advocacy—investors pushing companies to be more transparent or improve their practices. Proposed bills could limit shareholders’ ability to engage with companies on key issues like human rights or environmental impact. 

Why Your Vote Matters for ESG 

The decisions made by Congress and the next administration will likely have a direct impact on the types of investments you can make and your power as an investor. Policies that restrict ESG considerations in financial markets could limit your ability to align your money with your values. That’s why voting for candidates who support the freedom to invest responsibly is so important. 

Final Thoughts 

While ESG investing is just one of many issues at stake in this election, it’s an important one if you care about using your money to make a positive impact. Now is the time to research each candidate’s stance, understand what’s at risk, and make sure your vote reflects the future you want to see—not just for yourself but for the world at large. 

No matter which way you lean politically, it’s clear that this election will shape the future of ESG investing. So do your research, stay informed, and most importantly, don’t forget to vote! 

Invest for Better Day 2024: A Call to Action for Women

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This year’s Invest for Better Day on Sunday, September 15th, is about taking bold steps toward aligning your money with your values. With the presidential debate just behind us and the election coming in November, there’s never been a more important time for women to take control of their finances and invest in the future they care about. 

We’re mobilizing women around the country for a Day of Action, encouraging you to take steps—big or small—that move you toward financial empowerment and impact. Here are four powerful ways to act: 

Empower Yourself Through Education

Understanding how your money can create change starts with knowledge. Dive into resources like Activate Your Money, listen to podcasts, or take a course that teaches values-aligned investing. Educating yourself is the first step to using your money for good. 

Make Money Moves with Purpose

Taking even small steps with your finances can feel empowering. Explore new ways to ensure your investments reflect your values, from finding an impact-focused bank to reassessing your stock funds. 

Share Your Money Stories

Talking about money with other women is a powerful way to break the taboo and learn from each other. Share your experiences and ask others how they manage their finances—you might be surprised how much you gain. 

  • Action step: Have a conversation with a friend about their investment choices or discuss values-aligned options with your financial advisor. Don’t have a financial advisor yet? Join Invest for Better’s upcoming course on finding the right one.  

Support the Movement

We can create lasting change by supporting each other. Share what you’ve learned with your network, connect with other women passionate about impact investing, and help grow the movement. 

  • Action step: Sign up for Invest for Better’s monthly newsletter to stay informed on what’s happening with impact investing and go follow and amplify the message of organizations like Pivotal Ventures who are focused on accelerating social progress.  

Let’s make this Invest for Better Day one to remember by taking actions that move us closer to a more just, sustainable future—both for ourselves and our communities. 

Take action and make your money count! 

The Rise of Female Power: Seizing the Moment for a Lasting Impact

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Can you feel it? There’s a buzz in the air—a shift that’s as powerful as it is exciting. Everywhere we look, women are stepping up and taking the lead, and the world is paying attention. From sports to politics, from boardrooms to our communities, this is our time. And the best part? We’re just getting started.

Look at what’s been happening this year. Caitlin Clark captured the world’s attention, not just for her incredible talent on the court, but for how she’s shining a spotlight on women’s sports in a way that demands investment and respect. Simone Biles returned to the Paris Olympics, showing us all what it means to come back stronger, to rise above, and to inspire others to do the same. And in the political arena, Kamala Harris is on the verge of making history as she runs for President—a moment that could shatter one of the highest glass ceilings there is.

These are the moments that give us goosebumps, that make us feel proud to be women. But they also remind us that we have a role to play in keeping this momentum alive. The truth is, the power to shape the future is in our hands. And one of the most powerful tools we have? Our money.

You might have heard about the $30 trillion wealth transfer that’s coming our way—yes, you read that right, $30 trillion! As women, we’re set to inherit and control a significant portion of this wealth in the coming years. What we choose to do with it could change the world. Just think about it: by investing in companies that reflect our values, by supporting female-led businesses, and by funding initiatives that fight for equality, we’re not just securing our own financial futures—we’re creating a world where women thrive.

It’s also no secret that politics in the U.S. is deeply influenced by money. Billions of dollars are being poured into campaigns, and at times, it can feel overwhelming—like our individual voices and contributions don’t matter. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Collectively, we are incredibly powerful. When women come together, when we invest together, when we vote together—we are a force to be reckoned with.

So, how do we make sure this isn’t just a moment but a movement?

Here’s how you can help keep the momentum going:

Engage in Conversations: Don’t shy away from conversations, whether they’re financial, political, or social. We need to be talking and coming together to drive change. Discuss investment strategies with your friends, share articles about impactful initiatives, and openly talk about political candidates and issues that matter to you. These discussions not only empower you with knowledge but also help build a community of informed, active women ready to make a difference. By creating spaces where women feel confident discussing these important topics, we strengthen our collective voice and influence.

Embrace Impact Investing: Make conscious choices about where your money goes. Invest in companies that align with your values—those that prioritize gender equity, sustainability, and social impact. Your investments can be a force for good and help build a world where women thrive. Don’t know where to start? We’re here to help!

Influence Politics: This is a critical time for women to use our voices and our dollars. Consider volunteering for campaigns that align with your values, donating to candidates who support women’s rights, and staying informed about the issues that matter. Even though billions are spent on politics, your involvement in this election year can make a huge difference. Remember, local elections are just as important, if not more, than the Presidential one!

Let’s use this moment to inspire each other, to invest in each other, and to build the world we know is possible.

Ready to meet more women wanting to make a difference and start taking action? Check out our Circle experience, launching in September or join one of our free events. We’re here to support you every step of the way. 

 

Empowering Change: Navigating the World of Impact Investing

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Impact investing is reshaping the financial landscape, and guess who’s leading the charge? You guessed it—women! More than half of us prefer putting our money where it makes a positive difference. Say goodbye to the days of solely focusing on the bottom line; we’re ushering in a new era of conscious capitalism, where our investments not only yield financial returns but also contribute to a better world. 

But what exactly is impact investing? It’s putting your money into companies or projects that promise financial returns while also making significant social or environmental impacts.  

Now, how do you dive into impact investing? Every asset class offers opportunities, even cash, so creating your investment portfolio is personal to you, your values, and your goals. Here’s a quick look at how each asset class can make an impact:  

  • Cash and Cash Equivalents: Even cash reserves have potential for impact. By strategically allocating cash to institutions or projects aligned with your values, you can ensure that even idle funds contribute to positive change. 
  • Public Equities: When considering public equities, envision curating a portfolio of companies that not only yield profits but also prioritize environmental sustainability, diversity, and fair labor practices. Investing in these companies means supporting those committed to making a positive difference in the world. 
  • Fixed Income: Have you explored the realm of green bonds or social bonds? These investments provide an opportunity to align your financial portfolio with your values. Green bonds finance projects combatting climate change, while social bonds support initiatives like affordable housing and healthcare. It’s investing with a purpose, one bond at a time. 
  • Private Equity and Venture Capital: Imagine backing innovative businesses dedicated to addressing pressing global challenges, from renewable energy to healthcare accessibility. Through private equity and venture capital investments, you’re not just allocating capital; you’re catalyzing meaningful change. 
  • Real Estate: Real estate presents distinctive opportunities to invest in projects that promote sustainability, provide affordable housing, and foster resilient communities. Your investment in real estate transcends financial returns, contributing to the creation of a better world, one property at a time. 
  • Real Assets & Infrastructure: From sustainable agriculture to microfinance, alternative investments offer avenues to support innovative solutions to global issues while diversifying your portfolio and generating impactful returns. 

Feeling overwhelmed? Start with one asset class and take it step by step. And remember, having a financial plan can significantly boost your wealth. In fact, those with a plan have been shown to accumulate 2.7 times more wealth than those without. 

So, is impact investing just a passing trend? Absolutely not! With more women embracing it, impact investing is here to stay. By 2030, we’ll be managing over $30 trillion—more than the entire GDP of the country. Talk about making an impact! 

Need guidance? Check out our Getting Started Guide or join one of our free events. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Together, let’s change the world—one investment at a time. Let’s get started! 

Impact investing options across asset classes

Amplifying Your Philanthropy Through Impact Investing

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At Invest for Better we seek to curate and share with our community the best, most accessible resources about impact investing that have been created by our colleagues in the field. But sometimes there is a gap and we step in to fill it.

Many of the women in the Invest for Better community are highly experienced philanthropic leaders, but new to using their investments as a force for social change. They have often deployed smart, focused philanthropic giving to support innovation and experimentation in their focus areas, to fill a gap in services that should be covered by public money, or to bring together stakeholders to learn and collaborate. But they may be frustrated by the limited ability of philanthropy to scale proven solutions. Or perhaps discouraged by the absence of sustainable funding for an essential program. They are intrigued by the idea of turning to the capital markets and their own investment capital to address these challenges, but don’t quite know how.

It is for these women that we created our workbook, Amplifying your Philanthropy through Impact Investing, with generous support from Fidelity Charitable. Aimed at helping the philanthropist who is a newbie impact investor develop plans for both learning and action, the workbook guides users through 6 questions to help identify possible ways to use investing (personal, retirement, foundation, or donor-advised fund capital) to increase their impact on the people, places, and issues they care about:

  1. What are your philanthropic goals?
  2. What source(s) of capital do you want to use for impact investing? How much capital do you want to start with?
  3. What are your financial goals for each capital source?
  4. What impact investment solutions or tools might help you achieve your philanthropic and financial goals?
  5. How will you decide which impact investments to pursue? What criteria and due diligence processes will you use?
  6. How will you measure the success of your investments?

The workbook includes a concise primer on impact investing along with numerous examples of impact investments. It is intended to serve as a starting point for developing an impact investing strategy to augment one’s philanthropy, and could be used in consultation with financial, philanthropic, and other advisors. (Stay tuned for an annotated version of the workbook that advisors can use with their clients.)

The fundamental purpose of Invest for Better is to help women bridge the activation gap between their avowed interest in purpose-driven investing and the reality that only half of the “persuaded” are activating their assets in alignment with their values. We believe that women philanthropists are poised to narrow that gap and only need to develop the knowledge, confidence and support for implementation. We invite interested women to join our growing movement of Invest for Better Circles and/or to use this new workbook as a jumping off point for discussions with their advisors

Research conducted by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute found that women are more likely to use impact investing to complement their charitable giving, while men are more likely to use impact investing in place of charitable giving. This is important information and points once again to the need to focus on growing the number of women impact investors. Philanthropy plays vital roles in our civil society that cannot or should not be replaced by the capital markets. And capital markets play an essential role in scaling and sustaining solutions. We need all types of capital – philanthropic, impact-first, frontier, and market rate – to tackle critical issues facing our planet, and an ecosystem of smart investors who know how to use all the tools in their toolbox. We hope this new workbook contributes to that vision.

Great books to support your gender lens investing journey

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The following article was written by Suzanne Biegel, former IFB Steering Committee member, and first published in May 2021. 

 

There is a suite of books and resources from leading thinkers in the investment community that either touch upon or more deeply examine gender-smart investing. This explosion of gender-smart literature speaks to both a growing interest in women’s financial empowerment, and a hunger amongst investors – men and women – more generally for information about moving their money is smart and in a way that aligns with their values.

These books all tackle gender-smart investing from different perspectives, and are great resources to share with your friends, colleagues, clients, to deepen your own thinking, or to start you on your gender-smart investment journey. Read on to learn more about these fantastic resources and their authors, and choose one – or more – to grace your bookshelf.

Financial Feminism by Jessica Robinson (released in February 2021)

Jessica is an active investor, based in Dubai, and so committed to getting women engaged around impact investing. Her book, Financial Feminism, is a response to the “investment gap” between men and women – aiming not just to get more women to start investing, but to inspire them to invest their money with intention. As Jessica put it in a recent interview with UAE’s National News, “Financial feminism represents the opportunity for women to use their financial power to build the kind of world that they want to live in.”

The Good Your Money Can Do by Eva Yahzari (released in March 2021)

Eva started her career in mainstream finance, before diving into impact investing many years ago with Beyond Capital Fund, a nonprofit gender lens fund investing in emerging markets. She now runs Beyond Capital Ventures, a for-profit fund with a similar remit, and co-hosts The Beyond Capital Podcast. The Good Your Money Can Do is targeted at the experienced traditional investor who is curious about investing their money in line with their values. A relentless field-builder and fellow Toniic investor for many years, Eva argues that “money is currency and currency is energy.”

Moving Money for Impact: A Guide to Gender Lens Investing by Tuti Scott with Lex Schroeder (released in March 2021)

Tuti has been a long-distance runner in philanthropy and the crossover to impact investing and gender lens investing. She was most recently chair of the board of Tides Foundation and then its acting Executive Director. Moving Money for Impact is a free guide that takes a practical look at the gender lens investing field, spotlighting innovative gender lens investors such as the Texas Women’s Foundation, Tara Health Foundation, and Adasina Social Capital, as well as deeper philosophical lessons about naming and shifting power.

Activate Your Money by Janine Firpo (released in April 2021)

Janine is another very active impact investor, a fellow member of Next Wave Impact, and a passionate field builder. She wrote this book in partnership with more than 150 people, with the goal of helping women “who have been left out of the financial conversation to take control of their money, to learn how to invest with confidence, and to give them the options they need to make investments in the things they care about.” The result is a real “how to” of impact and gender lens investing, with practical information on everything from choosing a bank, to bonds, public equities, private investments, pensions, financial advisors, and more. I was lucky enough to read a sneak preview and I love this guide.

Adventure Finance by Aunnie Patton Power (released June 2021)

Aunnie has been teaching impact investing for many, many years in Africa and the UK. She wrote Adventure Finance on the premise that although venture capital is the highest profile type of investment, it doesn’t work for 99% of startups and small businesses – which means we need alternatives, both for founders and for funders. The book helps to explain what some of these alternatives are, and walks the reader through real life examples of how founders and funders have put them to use. This is a deep dive on alternative, innovative, and blended finance models. I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview and I am counting on this as a real handbook for me and everyone I know on alternative investment models. While these tools and models can be useful for all investment, I find them particularly relevant for gender-smart investing.

Impact Investing Handbook by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (released in 2020)

I carried around the original version of this for many years to share with impact investors and those who were moving from philanthropy to impact investing, and I was delighted to have the chance to write the section on gender lens investing for the updated version, released last year. Rockefeller’s guide is a practical publication featuring case studies and detailed guidance for individuals, families, foundations, and corporates. I love this book, and think it’s a key resource for any impact investor or someone who wants to learn about impact investing.

Global Handbook of Impact Investing co-edited by R. Paul Herman & Elsa de Morais Sarmenton (released in 2020)

The Global Handbook of Impact Investing offers an extensive recap of the best practices and thought leadership over a wide range of sustainability themes. I’ve been investing with Paul for many years via HIP Investor and I really respect his ability to address mainstream investing with an ESG lens, viewing gender as a core factor for so long. The book is unique for its global perspective, bringing together knowledge and case studies spanning five continents.