Impact Investing Conference 2023

Rina Arline is a Managing Director and Program Director for Bank of America’s Breakthrough Lab, a Global Transaction Services impact accelerator program.  In this role, Rina collaborates across GTS , the Bank, and external partners to deliver a program that provides access and mentoring to diverse owned start-ups with ideas in FinTech or Tech enabled ideas promoting equity. 

Prior to her current role, Rina led a Treasury sales team with responsibility for driving over $200 million in annual revenue and managing $10 Billion in liquidity.  With 23 years in the Treasury field, Rina’s expertise spans commercial banking - focusing on industry verticals with Restaurants, Sports Finance, Technology, and Power & Utilities -international business, and now FinTech.

Rina holds a BA from Guilford College in History and Political Science and a MBA from University of North Carolina-Greensboro.  She is also a Certified Treasury Professional (CTP).    

Rina is active in the local and global community through the World Affairs Council of Charlotte,  Mentoring in Women Business Program with the Cherie Blair Foundation, & Charlotte International Rotary.     

Rina resides with her husband, Chris, in Charlotte, NC.   Rina was born in Nairobi, Kenya and speaks several foreign languages.  

Elizabeth Banes is a second-year MBA candidate at Yale SOM. She will be joining the investment team at the Yale University endowment upon graduation. Prior to SOM, Elizabeth was an investment analyst at the Princeton University endowment and a policy research analyst at Ithaka S+R, a not-for-profit focused on access and affordability in higher education. At SOM, she is a member of the Meng Impact Investment Fund’s leadership team. Elizabeth graduated from Princeton University with an A.B. in History.

Amy Bevilacqua is the Managing Partner of Green Street Impact Partners, a growth equity fund making impact investments in the future of education.  Amy’s career straddles both investing and operating experience, with over 30 years leading education companies.

Starting out her career in college admissions, she went on to co-found a division of a Higher Ed publishing house, run content-related businesses for the national headquarters of PBS, serve as Chief Marketing Officer for Hooked on Phonics, and helm an educational film production and distribution house--a portfolio company for the private equity firm KKR--shepherding its sale to a strategic buyer.  She is actively involved in education entrepreneurship and investment, having worked with global private equity firms and networks of angel investors to evaluate investments in both early stage and growth stage education companies.

Most recently, Amy was the Chief Innovation Officer for American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:  APEI) running strategy and investments.  

She is the immediate past President of the Alumni Council at Carleton College, a top ten rated national liberal arts college, and represented the alumni body on the Board of Trustees.  As an alumnus of the Yale School of Management, she worked with a group of women across the University to co-found YaleWomen, an independent 501c3 and global network of over 35,000 female alums of Yale.

Margaret Berger Bradley is Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the venture development organization nationally ranked among the most active seed and early-stage investors. Driven by Ben Franklin’s mission to grow a more vibrant and equitable entrepreneurial economy, she joined Ben Franklin in 2016 to expand access to capital with a particular focus on emerging impact investment strategies, launching ImpactPHL Ventures, a $16MM impact-driven capital consortium and building out other ways to engage private capital in Ben Franklin’s regional impact agenda.  During her 25 years in community investment and regional economic development, she directed the regional Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative and was, for many years, with the Reinvestment Fund, a national leader in community investment.  Margaret holds an MBA from Yale University and a BA from the University of Virginia.  She is currently on the Board of PACT (Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies), Treasurer of the Board of ImpactPHL, an alliance focused on growing the regional Philadelphia impact economy, and Secretary of the Board of Benefits Data Trust which harnesses the power of data, technology, and policy to provide efficient and dignified access to essential benefits and services.

Kalin Bracken heads the World Economic Forum’s Real Estate Industry which is comprised of Forum partners from leading global real estate and investment management firms. She manages a community of global CEOs along with communities of senior executives advancing high-impact initiatives to support the delivery of buildings that are more liveable, sustainable, resilient, and affordable. Her work with the community has included publishing multiple reports along with The Green Building Principles, which provide a roadmap to deliver net-zero carbon real estate portfolios. She writes frequently for the Forum’s Agenda and her work has been published in Forbes.
Prior to joining the Forum, Kalin was an Assistant Vice President at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), a quasi-public entity responsible for real estate development and asset management, industry growth and neighborhood planning. She was part of the Strategic Investments Group which provides financial support for policy-aligned private real estate projects. Prior to her work with the City of New York, Kalin worked in institutional sales for several investment management firms covering listed real assets and a variety of other equity strategies. Kalin graduated with a BA from Loyola University Maryland.

Patrick loves to see an asset owner come alive. His work centers on helping individuals, foundations and corporations use a range of assets to achieve their social impact goals. As lead for RPA’s Impact Investing Practice, Patrick supports mission-driven asset-owners to build investment strategies aligned to their individual values or organizational mission – including education/training, Investment Policy Statement (IPS) development, operating plan implementation, and full-service outsourcing of Program Related Investments (PRIs). Patrick also manages five customized portfolios across direct debt, direct equity, and funds. Patrick is co-author of the 180-page Impact Investing Handbook and companion Workbook.
Prior to RPA, Patrick was head trader and investment analyst of Lee Financial’s $900M portfolio. As a professional tennis player, he earned a world doubles ranking of 125 and played in Wimbledon 2008. He serves on the board of Briaud Financial Advisors and Fifth Third Bank’s National Community Advisory Forum.

Vinnie Caruso is an Associate at DBL Partners, an impact venture capital fund based in the San Francisco Bay Area with over $1B in AUM. DBL helped pioneer investments into companies that generate both market rate venture capital returns and meaningful social and environmental impacts. At DBL, Vinnie sources and performs diligence on investment opportunities, supports portfolio company management and strategy, and directs portfolio companies in implementing double bottom line practices. He serves on the board of directors of UrbanSitter (care platform), and is a board observer at Bellwether Coffee (low-carbon coffee), DroneSeed (reforestation), and Pallet (rapid temporary shelter). Prior to DBL, Vinnie worked as a strategic consultant to global climate change philanthropies and as an economic consultant at Cornerstone Research

Vinnie received a B.A. in Economics and International Studies from the University of Michigan, where he graduated with distinction, and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. While at Yale, he worked with a small group of classmates to co-found and launch Fishbowl Ventures, the student-led organization that helped to establish the Meng Impact Investment Fund. He also served as co-leader of the SOM Impact Investing Club and led the Yale MIINT team that won the global MIINT MBA impact investing competition at Wharton in 2019.

Kate Cooney, PhD, MSW, received her graduate degrees from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs.  She grew up in Washington DC in the 1970s and 1980s.  The stark economic differences between neighborhoods in the D.C. of that era inspired a deep interest and curiosity about cities, inequality, racial injustice and American history as it pertains to current urban landscapes.   Professor Cooney teaches classes at Yale on social enterprise and nonprofit management, and on urban poverty and inclusive economic development in the United States.  Dr. Cooney is the founding director of the Inclusive Economic Development Co-Lab at the Yale School of Management and the CitySCOPE podcast. Scholarly interests include: equitable development, urban governance networks, inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems, and business models for social impact.

Barr Even is a Managing Partner at Rebalance Capital, an alternative asset manager dedicated to addressing the upward mobility crisis. The firm invests in early-stage FinTech and WorkforceTech companies that serve low- and middle-income families, with the aim of producing outsized returns for investors. 

Previously, Barr managed the private investment portfolio at the Dalio Family Office and worked in the growth equity team of Generation IM, Al Gore’s mission-driven investment manager. He began his career as an investment banker in the Financial Institutions Group at Morgan Stanley. 

Barr holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University, a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard University. He lives in New Canaan, Connecticut with his husband

Joy Facos serves as Raymond James Investment Management’s Head of Sustainable Investing and Corporate Responsibility. She is responsible for leading the firm’s continued progress on the Principles for Responsible Investment and working with boutique investment managers, consultants, and clients on matters involving environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing.
Before joining the firm in 2020, she spent 10 years in the field of sustainable and responsible investing, most recently as principal at ESG Research Associates. She has focused on integrating ESG factors into investment processes, overseen proxy voting and guideline development, and designed and implemented corporate engagement initiatives.

Facos has been a financial services professional for more than 20 years and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Yale University

David Gilford leads policy and strategic partnerships for Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP). Backed by Alphabet, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, and StepStone, SIP applies innovative technology to urban infrastructure systems.

Over two decades at the intersection of the public and private sectors, David has built cross-sector programs to support innovation. As a Principal at HR&A Advisors and co-founder of the Broadband Equity Partnership, David designed digital and social infrastructure to close the digital divide. Previously, he co-founded the Connected Communities practice at Intersection, developing technology strategies for neighborhood-scale real estate developments.

David previously held multiple leadership positions with the City of New York, including Vice President for Urban Innovation & Sustainability at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. As a Director of the Center for Economic Transformation, David worked to catalyze entrepreneurship and innovation across New York City, including developing UrbanTech NYC to provide real estate, equipment, and pilot opportunities to fast-growing companies addressing urban challenges. David holds a BA in Economics from Williams College and an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Professor Goetzmann is an expert on a diverse range of investments. His past work includes studies of stock market predictability, hedge funds and survival biases in performance measurement. His current research focuses on alternative investing, factor investing, behavioral finance and the art market. Professor Goetzmann has written and co-authored a number of books, including Modern Portfolio Theory and Investment Analysis (Wiley, 2014), The Origins of Value: The Financial Innovations that Created Modern Capital Markets (Oxford, 2005), The Great Mirror of Folly: Finance, Culture and the Crash of 1720 (Yale, 2013) and most recently, Money Changes Everything: How Finance Made Civilization Possible (Princeton, 2016). He teaches portfolio management, alternative investments, real estate and financial history at the Yale School of Management.

Peter is a leader in Bridgespan’s impact investing practice where he focuses on helping asset owners and managers develop impact frameworks and assess transactions as part of their internal diligence process. His impact investing clients include private equity investors such as LimeRock New Energy, and Capricorn along with a number of pension funds and CDFIs. Peter also supports the continued expansion of Bridgespan’s impact investing practice through product development, training, and knowledge creation.

Prior to joining Bridgespan, Peter worked at Citigroup in its Global Markets group in New York and London. He also spent a year in the Pacific Northwest as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Peter earned his MBA from the Yale School of Management and his bachelor's degree from Loyola University Maryland. He also attended the Institute for Design and Public Policy, a joint initiative of the Rhode Island School of Design and the US Department of State.

Dr. Stephen Hammer serves as an Advisor, focused on international climate policy and strategy, with the World Bank's Climate Change Group. He represents the World Bank on numerous global commissions and G7, G20, and UN working groups focused on climate finance and other topics. He previously served as Manager, Climate Policy for the World Bank Group, where he led an interdisciplinary team of 60 scientists, economists, technical experts, and consultants focused on frontier research on climate change and development topics, the mainstreaming of climate change in World Bank operations, and the provision of climate-related advisory services to clients and Bank teams. Before joining the World Bank, Dr. Hammer was a Lecturer in Energy Planning at MIT's Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP), and prior to that, he taught at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where he founded and directed the Urban Energy Program. Dr. Hammer holds a PhD from the London School of Economics, an MPP from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a B.S. from the University of California at Davis.

Mical Jeanlys-White is the CEO and Founder of WealthMore, a Philadelphia based wealth tech. The company offers an investing and financial planning service and community. The mission is to make building wealth accessible to all. Prior to WealthMore, Mical was a Senior Executive at JPMorgan Chase and help leadership roles at American Express and Nestle. Mical holds an undergraduate degree from Villanova University and an MBA from Columbia University.

Roger Liew is a Partner at Impact Engine, a venture capital and private equity investor driving positive impact in the areas of economic opportunity, environmental sustainability and health equity. Previously, Roger was the CTO of ShopRunner and Orbitz where he started as the first software engineer. Outside of work, he is a Trustee of the Catherine Cook School and a Director of the Chicago Public Library Foundation.

Becky is a member of The Centre Harbour Group at Morgan Stanley which services both private clients and institutions such as non profits, foundations, endowments, pensions and defined contribution plans. Becky previously worked in the Private Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley for her first 5+ years at the firm where she focused on ultra high net worth private clients.
For non profits, endowments and foundations, Becky works to provide investment consulting services aligned with the risk / return
objectives and broader operations / mission of these organizations. For individuals and families, Becky works to develop and implement financial and investment management strategies to help meet their short term needs and long term goals in coordination with their values, business concerns, philanthropy and outside estate / tax advisors.

Becky has a background in high net worth client investment management derived from working in the art market at Sotheby’s as well as investment analysis from being a management consultant in the healthcare industry and director of PR & advertising for an international family owned company. She received an MBA from the Yale School of Management and her undergraduate degree from Tufts University with majors in Economics & Art History. During a voluntary career break, Becky founded a non profit, coached competitive youth soccer teams, competed in triathlons and open water swims as well a s volunteered extensively in her community of Rye New York where she currently lives with her husband and where they provide a home base for their 6 college age children and a dog & cat. Becky returned to work through the Goldman Sachs ‘ Returnship ’ program in January 2014.

Becky has experience and knowledge in sustainable investing including ESG / SRI strategies as well as family wealth planning and multigenerational wealth dynamics including financial tutoring which all promote thoughtful financial management.

Alex McRae is a Deputy Director for D.E Shaw Renewable Energy Investments (“DESRI"). DESRI is a leading renewable energy company that develops, owns, and operates 6GW of utility-scale solar, wind, and battery storage projects throughout the United States. Since 2020, Alex and his team have led the capital expenditure of over $3 billion at the corporate and project level to help facilitate a 40% CAGR in gross operating capacity. He is responsible for executing strategic capital investments, managing domestic and international partnerships, and originating new opportunities. Mr. McRae holds a BS in Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an MBA from the Yale School of Management, and a Master’s of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment. Prior to Yale, Alex served in the U.S. military as an Engineer Officer and held various leadership positions across several organizations. He has published peer-reviewed papers in The Engineering Economist, GreenBiz, Clean Energy Finance Forum, and Conference Proceedings of the American Society of Engineering Management. Alex is based out of Denver, Colorado and enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children.

Erik Poldroo is Co-Founder and COO of The Zone, a mental wellness software designed for student-athletes and their athletic programs. As a former college baseball player who dealt with his own mental health struggles, Erik became determined in helping the next generation of student-athletes feel more supported throughout their collegiate careers, where he and The Zone have established partnerships with universities at the NCAA Division 1 and Division 2 levels.

Marieke Spence is Executive Director of Impact Capital Managers, a network that brings together the general partners of market-rate funds deeply committed to impact investing with integrity in the United States, Canada & beyond. ICM's 100+ members are active or former investors in 1500+ companies and collectively manage over $50B toward the greater good. The network is a proud organizer of the Mosaic Fellowship, a competitive program placing traditionally underrepresented graduate students at ICM member funds each summer, and, together with Daniel Pianko at Achieve Partners, a producer of the Better Money, Better World podcast. Marieke came to ICM from Synergos where she was a Director of the Global Philanthropists Circle, a peer learning community of 400+ philanthropists and social investors. Prior to Synergos Marieke was a Senior Consultant at TCC Group, a social impact consulting firm. She has studied impact investing as a Summer Fellow at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and her thought leadership has been published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, The Foundation Review, and GrantCraft. She is co-author with Jacob Harold, Joshua Spitzer, and Jed Emerson of “Environmental Impact Investing: Co-Managing the Ecological and Economic Household,” published in Social Finance (Oxford University Press, 2016).

Marieke was formerly Director of Corporate Communication and Strategy at The Kessler Group; producer of On Point, a nationally-syndicated news program on National Public Radio; and Assistant Director of Communications at the Council on Foreign Relations. Marieke holds a MALD in International Business and Communication from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a BA from Brown University. She has completed coursework at Oxford University’s Said Business School and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Sheena has worked across financial services in asset and wealth management, investment banking, and insurance in North America and Europe. She embarked on a career in finance because she always knew that if utilized responsibly, it can help solve socioeconomic problems. She is the Director of Impact Investment Strategy at the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, and founder of Feel Good Investments, an impact investment advisory firm. She is driven to utilize the knowledge and skills that she has obtained throughout her career to inspire generational wealth and sustainable investments.

Ivan Tchatchouwo a Cameroonian native raised in Bronx, NY is on a mission to improve student-athletes' well-being. As the co-founder and CEO of The Zone, a digital wellness company for student-athletes and its staff. As a recognized thought leader and mental wellness advocate Ivan is driven by his unique experiences as a high-performing student-athlete to ensure wellness resources are accessible and personalized to sports organizations and their athletes. Creating a more efficient wellness culture.

Chris is a co-founder and partner at Assembly Ventures. Detroit, Berlin and Silicon Valley. He is a board observer at ONE (www.one.ai).
Prior to Assembly Ventures Chris co-founded the Detroit Mobility Lab and the Michigan Mobility Institute. Previous to this he co-founded Fontinalis Partners.
Chris also served in the U.S. Army in the U.S. and Iraq. Before joining the military he worked at UBS in its Technology and Energy groups in San Francisco and New York.
Chris has degrees from the Yale School of Management and Michigan State University

Enki invests in leading technology companies aiming to scale quickly while having demonstrable impact on their communities and customers. She invests across EdTechs reducing inequalities in education and lifelong learning, FinTechs furthering financial inclusion, and ClimateTech aimed at mitigating the current and future impacts of climate change. Prior to Salesforce, Enki worked in PwC’s deals practice both as an actuarial associate and on the accounting advisory team helping global companies on their deal structure, workforce restructuring, and financial instruments. Following her time at PwC, Enki spent a brief period in strategic finance at an ed-tech start-up, one of her passions that she continues to work on today.