Investing in Impact | Impact Investing Causeartist

In Episode 71 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Kirsten Dueck, CEO of NESsT, on breaking the cycle of poverty by investing front-line entrepreneurs.
About Kirsten
As the CEO of NESsT, Kirsten Dueck fosters trust-based relationships to accelerate impact for corporate, philanthropic, nonprofit, and community stakeholders. In her role, she drives strategy and operations for a leading global impact investor and venture philanthropist.
As CEO of NESsT, she drives strategy and operations for a leading global impact investor and venture philanthropist that has invested more than $30M and trained and supported over 30,000 entrepreneurs across 50 countries, accelerated and financed 243 enterprises sustaining more than 100,000 formal jobs and improving the lives of 1.6million people from the most marginalized communities around the world.
Addressing the Urgency of Poverty
Since its inception in 1997, NESsT has been investing in front-line entrepreneurs, catalyzing impact-driven enterprises, and shaping sustainable and equitable futures, especially in emerging market countries.
A significant portion of the global population still grapples with extreme or moderate poverty, while nearly half face low incomes and challenging working conditions.
NESsT recognizes the inherent dignity in providing access to good jobs and reliable income, not just as a means of sustenance but as pathways to empowerment and community upliftment.
Invest, Accelerate, Transform: NESsT’s Approach
NESsT's strategy revolves around three core pillars:
Invest, Accelerate, and Transform.
By leveraging donations and patient capital, NESsT channels resources into social enterprises that prioritize creating dignified jobs for those most in need.
These investments are not merely financial; NESsT commits to these enterprises for several years, offering tailored financing and hands-on business development support to navigate the challenges of scaling.
Through this dedicated support, NESsT empowers social entrepreneurs to not only build successful businesses but also to transform communities.
By providing essential skills, technology, and ongoing support, these enterprises become catalysts for sustainable change, fostering economic resilience and fostering dignity.
The Power of Social Enterprises
At the heart of NESsT's philosophy lies the recognition of the unique role that social enterprises play in driving positive change.
Unlike traditional businesses, social enterprises are deeply embedded within their communities, earning trust and understanding local needs intimately.
They align their business interests with the well-being of their communities, ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and sustainable

In episode, I speak with Brett Hagler, CEO and Co-founder, of New Story Homes, on using philanthropy and market-based solutions to solve the global housing crisis.
The global housing crisis is a staggering issue, affecting 1.6 billion people who live without adequate housing. This crisis stifles the potential of millions of families, particularly women and children, across the globe.New Story Homes, a nonprofit organization, has set out to tackle this problem through a unique blend of philanthropy and market-based solutions.
By integrating innovative technology with community-focused strategies, New Story Homes is revolutionizing the path to homeownership for vulnerable families.
Takeaways
New Story's journey began with a mission to help vulnerable families access life-changing housing, leading to a decade-long evolution of its strategy and model.The transition to a market-based solution involved challenges, resistance, and a two-year metamorphosis, resulting in a hybrid model that combines philanthropy with profitable financing and lending.The future of New Story involves executing its model to attract large pools of capital, focusing on creating a product that customers love, and building a track record for accessing significant funding.The conversation highlights the potential of market-based solutions in the nonprofit sector and the importance of addressing important social problems through innovative approaches.Sound Bites
"I think you learn by doing.""I would love to try to help as many people as possible have life-changing housing."
Empowering Through Land Ownership
At the heart of New Story Homes' mission is the concept of land ownership. In many parts of Latin America, securing land is the first critical step towards economic stability and homeownership. New Story Homes helps families purchase land, build creditworthiness, and unlock home financing. This approach shifts families from being mere beneficiaries of charity to active participants in their journey out of poverty.
By developing and selling land equipped with essential municipal utilities—water, sewage, electricity, and roads—at affordable monthly rates, New Story Homes ensures that these properties are not only accessible but also sustainable and integrated into the local urban context.
Innovative Housing Solutions
One of the standout innovations of New Story Homes is the use of 3D printing technology to build homes quickly and cost-effectively.
This method significantly reduces construction time and expenses compared to traditional building techniques, making it possible to provide immediate relief to families in need.
Beyond construction, New Story Homes focuses on the entire community-building process, developing housing products that meet the unique demands of local regions.
Families can use their land as collateral to secure first-time home financing, allowing them to either purchase one of New Story's housing prototypes or self-build the home that best suits their needs.
The Role of Philanthropy and Impact Investments
New Story Homes recognizes that addressing the housing crisis requires a multifaceted approach. Philanthropy plays a crucial role in funding the initial stages of projects, allowing the organization to acquire land and develop infrastructure.
However, to achieve scalable impact, New Story Homes pairs philanthropic funds with impact investments.
This blend enables the organization to extend its reach further down the market, serving families who are often excluded from traditional housing solutions.
By focusing on sustainable, market-based solutions, New Story Homes ensures that its initiatives not only provide immediate relief but also foster long-term economic growth and stability in the communities it serves.
Success and Future Innovations
The success of New Story Homes can be seen in the thousands of families who now live in safe, affordable homes in countries like Haiti, El Salvador, Mexico, and Bolivia. Each project is a testa

In Episode 70 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Zoila Jennings, Impact Investment Lead at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, on poverty alleviation and systems change through targeted community financing.
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Sound Bites
"The limit does not exist in philanthropy. I think with banks, they're highly regulated, and it does limit what they can do in terms of flexible financing.""We're a systems level investor. So I don't say, oh, I'm focused on housing or small business. On the community development side, I say, where is the capital now going and where are places that we should really pilot, test, bring in other investors to join."About ZoilaZoila Jennings joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2021, bringing her career focus on social justice and poverty alleviation—through targeted community financing—to her role as an impact investments officer. Prior to this, Zoila served as a senior relationship manager with U.S. Bank, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States, as part of its Community Development Corporation.
In this position, she sourced, structured, and underwrote loans and equity investments for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). She also developed and executed investment initiatives aimed at addressing racial inequities, including a $25 million fund to support women of color microbusiness owners and the first CDFI-issued racial equity bond for targeted investments in underserved communities of color.
Before joining U.S. Bank, Zoila spent a decade at JPMorgan Chase in New York, taking on various roles, including vice president for Community Development-New Markets Tax Credits.
Here, she utilized tax equity to structure community development transactions. As a credit underwriter, she managed a credit portfolio that encompassed lending, from small working capital lines to large syndicated tax-exempt debt obligations, to nonprofit hospitals, higher education institutions, and social services agencies.
In other roles, she founded a consulting firm specializing in credit underwriting, loan structuring, and financial due diligence for loans and investments benefiting low-income communities.
Zoila holds an MBA from Kellogg School of Management and a BS in Business Economics with a concentration in Catholic Studies from Fordham University.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is a force in the realm of philanthropy, employing a multifaceted approach that includes grantmaking, policy change, and impact investing to dismantle barriers to health and wellbeing.
At the heart of RWJF's mission is the belief that everyone in the U.S. should have the opportunity to live their healthiest life possible. Achieving this goal requires equitable capital flow to communities historically deprived of investment due to generations of racist policies and structural racism.
About RWJF Impact Investments
RWJF stands as a national leader in philanthropy, committed to transforming health across the nation within our lifetime. Through impact investments—which encompass deposits, loans, equity investments, and guarantees—RWJF collaborates with both public and private sector investors to channel more capital into underinvested communities.
The foundation's vision encompasses flourishing communities where clean, safe drinking water and stable housing are accessible to all, jobs pay a living wage, and everyone has a fair chance to thrive.
Since 2010, RWJF has allocated $625 million to impact investments, addressing structural barriers that perpetuate health inequities.
These barriers include historical and ongoing disinvestment in housing, jobs, water infrastructure, and other critical community conditions. RWJF's investments target improving health

In Episode 69 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Alasdair Maclay, Chief Strategy Officer at GSG Impact, on impact data and strategic leadership in Impact Investing.
About Alasdair
Alasdair Maclay is the Chief Strategy Officer at GSG Impact, where he serves on the Executive Committee and oversees the organization’s strategy, communications, development, and funding.
From 2014 to 2019, Alasdair was the Director of Strategy at the Rhodes Trust, where he led philanthropic fundraising efforts totaling over £300 million, facilitated international expansion across Africa and Asia, and established strategic operating partnerships.
With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Alasdair has specialized in emerging markets investment. His career includes a significant tenure at Actis, an emerging markets private equity fund manager, after joining CDC. He also worked for Sovereign Capital, a UK private equity firm, and Bain and Company, a global consulting firm.
Alasdair holds an MBA from INSEAD and a joint honours degree in Russian and Czech language and literature from the University of Oxford.
An active impact investor and entrepreneur, Alasdair is committed to achieving environmental and social outcomes.
Our Discussion
The conversation covers Alasdair Maclay's journey into impact investing, the work of GSG Impact, and the concept of impact valuation.
It delves into the challenges and opportunities of impact investing, the role of blended finance, and the vision for a new economic system where impact is at the heart of every decision.
The discussion also explores the use of impact valuation in making investment decisions and the potential for transparency in impact data through barcodes and consumer apps.
The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to impact accounting, government policies, financial incentives, and the future of impact investing.
It explores the challenges and opportunities in driving better outcomes for people and the planet, with a focus on the role of governments, financial markets, and local interventions.
The discussion also highlights the importance of mandatory impact accounting, capital mobilization in emerging markets, and the need for collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable impact.
Takeaways
Alasdair Maclay's journey from private equity to impact investing highlights the shift towards investment with purpose and the focus on driving positive impact alongside financial returns.The concept of impact valuation and the use of blended finance as tools to attract private capital for positive impact are key aspects of the conversation.The vision for a new economic system where impact is at the heart of every decision and the potential for impact transparency through barcodes and consumer apps reflect the evolving landscape of impact investing and sustainability.The discussion emphasizes the importance of consistent impact data, the role of asset owners and asset managers in driving impact valuation, and the potential for impact accounting to become mandatory for businesses. The importance of data to inform impact-led decisionsChallenges and opportunities in transitioning to a greener economyThe role of financial incentives in driving positive behaviors and impactThe significance of local interventions and sustainable solutionsThe need for mandatory impact accounting and harmonized reporting standardsThe potential for increased capital flow into emerging markets and its impact on economic growthSound Bites
"I think blended finance is one of the tools that can be used to attract private capital.""Our vision is an economic system where impact is at the heart of every investment, government, consumer spending decision.""Data to help inform impact-led decisions""The value of local intervention by people on the ground"

In this episode, I speak with Hardika Shah, Founder and CEO of Kinara Capital, on transforming lives and local economies, by providing access to capital for small business entrepreneurs.
Armed with a mission to empower the 70 million small business entrepreneurs in the country, Kinara has embarked on a journey to provide fast and flexible collateral-free business loans. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and a dedication to customer service, Kinara Capital revolutionized the lending landscape with its digital processes and doorstep assistance.
Over the years, the company has disbursed more than $300 million to over 40,000 small business entrepreneurs, ushering thousands into the realm of financial inclusion. This transformative journey has not only created jobs and spurred economic growth but has also generated over $100 million in incremental income for MSMEs across India.
Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, Hardika honed her skills as a management consultant, working on projects for global companies across the USA, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Her passion for social impact led her to devote nearly a decade to mentoring emerging social entrepreneurs.
At Kinara Capital, the mission is clear: to transform lives, livelihoods, and local economies by providing access to capital for every entrepreneur. With a vision of a financially inclusive world, Hardika and her team continue to pave the way for a brighter future for small business entrepreneurs across India.
I hope you enjoy the conversation, until next time, stay humble and stay creative.
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In Episode 68 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Robert Keith, the Founder and Managing Principal of Beartooth, on how environmental stewardship can be synonymous with financial gains.
Robert holds a strong belief that the diverse financial tools and innovative growth/exit strategies available to small business owners should also be accessible to ranch owners. With this vision, he co-founded Beartooth in 2005 to empower ranchers with these resources.
In his role at Beartooth, Robert oversees all operations, with a particular emphasis on cultivating meaningful relationships in capital sourcing, investment structuring, and management.
Before establishing Beartooth, Robert gained valuable experience at various financial institutions, including an agricultural investment company, a private equity investment firm, and Morgan Stanley, an investment bank. He holds a degree in Economics from Yale University and a business degree from Stanford University.
Despite his academic and professional pursuits, Robert consistently found himself drawn back to his family's ranch near Cody, Wyoming. Eventually, he made the decision to cease commuting to coastal regions for work and instead founded Beartooth to pursue his passion for supporting ranchers and their communities.
About Beartooth
Beartooth Group is a Bozeman-based conservation investment firm. Founded in 2004, Beartooth partners with ranch sellers, owners, investors, and buyers to restore and steward the lands, waters, and wildlife of the American West. Beartooth does this by crafting creative solutions to conservation and economic challenges.