July 2023: New Staff, Registration for Health Investors and Family Foundations

Seats are filling up for our Mission Investing Institute, which will convene for virtual sessions Sept. 14-19 and in-person sessions Nov. 6-7 at The California Endowment in Los Angeles. As our signature introductory learning program, the institute helps like-minded philanthropy professionals get started in impact investing and advance their practice. Reserve space today to participate in one of our most popular offerings.

Institute attendees will have the opportunity to learn from leading impact investing professionals, network with industry peers, and engage in dynamic, solution-oriented dialogues with fellow philanthropy and finance professionals. Attendees will also gain online access to the Institute’s curated reference resources.

Don’t miss this opportunity for learning about various investment approaches, designing and implementing an impact portfolio, sourcing investments, monitoring social impact and financial returns, and more. Learn about our program and speakers by visiting our Mission Investing Institute page. 

MIE is proud to present this program in partnership with the National Center for Family Philanthropy, Northern California Grantmakers, and SoCal Grantmakers. ​​​​​​If you have any questions, please contact Dan Goldberg.

We are thrilled to welcome new staff to leadership positions at MIE, including Obi Asiama, Director of Member Experience, and Jennifer Trivelli, Senior Director, Communications and Marketing. 

Obi will be a key partner in shaping the strategic direction of our member services and engagement, leading the day-to-day management of membership processes and providing outstanding member service. Most recently, Obi served as the Director of Member Services at Philanthropy Southwest, where he led strategic organizational direction and membership development for a network of more than 210 community, corporate, private, independent, and family foundations.

Jennifer will be responsible for elevating our organization's visibility, advancing MIE outreach, supporting member engagement and programming, and shaping overall organizational strategy. Most recently, Jennifer served as the Senior Director of Integrated Marketing with the Cleveland Foundation, an MIE member, where she supported ongoing marketing and communications strategies for the foundation’s $385 million impact investing program and played a leading role in the development and launch of the Impact Cleveland platform.

Obi is based in Dallas, Texas, and Jennifer is based in Cleveland, Ohio.

“We are fortunate to have Obi and Jennifer on board, and we are confident that their exceptional skills and experience will contribute significantly to both serving our dynamic community of members and building the field of impact investing,” said Matt Onek, MIE President and Chief Executive Officer. “Please join me in giving them a warm welcome to our organization.”

Contact Obi Asiama or contact Jennifer Trivelli, and read more about their backgrounds as well as that of the entire MIE team on our staff contact page.

Health Investors Summer Gathering: Impact Measurement and Management
Tuesday, Aug. 1
10-11 a.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. ET

Join MIE health investors and invited guests for a one-hour virtual conversation in which participants will share how their investment decisions are tied to recognized social impact measures such as IRIS+, The Happiness Quotient, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Topics may include:

• Choosing and applying a manageable set of measures or framework 
• Investee dynamics and reducing burden
• Sample reports

This gathering provides a space to build community and share strategic and innovative practices. The camera-enabled call will be informal and interactive. All participants are encouraged to come prepared to participate, share, learn, and even have a bit of fun in the process!

MIE members should log in to register. If you are not a member of MIE and would like to attend, please inquire at [email protected].

Family Foundations Gathering: Family Dynamics and Impact Investing
Tuesday, Oct. 3
11 a.m.-Noon PT / 2-3 p.m. ET

Join fellow MIE family foundation members to discuss the unique characteristics and opportunities that family foundations and single-family offices share when it comes to impact investing. Topics may include family and board dynamics, next generation leadership, and access to the deal pipelines and third-party service providers that support your work. If there are additional topics that you would like to cover, please email Zineb Touzani or Melanie Audette. 

MIE members should log in to register. If you are not a member of MIE and would like to attend, please inquire at [email protected].

MIE National Conference
May 7-9, 2024

Mark your calendar! Our next National Conference will take place at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. Building on the success of last year’s sold-out event, the conference will explore the latest deals, insights, and trends in the field of impact investing. Stay tuned for more details on registration, themes, topics, speakers, and sponsorship opportunities. 

MIE is looking for motivated candidates for three key roles: 

• Associate, Communications & Marketing
• Coordinator, Programs
• Coordinator, Member Experience

Climate Resilience in Central Appalachia: Impacts and Opportunities

Invest Appalachia recently published a report on climate change impacts and the implications for community development and philanthropic investment. The comprehensive, evidence-based report, shaped by input from regional climate and community experts, offers fresh insights into the potential role of impact investing to support proactive, whole-of-community solutions for climate resilience. Notable among the findings, Central Appalachian states are set to become prime destinations for Americans relocating due to the climate crisis, which will offer an economic opportunity for the region if there is thoughtful preparation regarding community infrastructure, essential services, and agriculture.

Emerging Impact Investing Professionals of Color Meetup

“What do you do when you know you are under the microscope as a person of color? You are both highly visible, and invisible. You have to take up space.” - Monique Aiken, Managing Director, The Investment Integration Project, Contributing Editor at ImpactAlpha, Co-founder at Make Justice Normal, Co-founder at ReStarter Fund

We’re grateful to everyone who attended our Emerging Impact Investing Professionals of Color Meetup on Tuesday and want to extend a special thanks to panelists including: Monique Aiken; Tina Castro, CFA, Managing Partner and Co-founder, Avivar Capital; Sophia Brown, MIE Senior Associate, Programs; and moderator Karla Moreno, Senior Analyst, Avivar Capital. This warm and inclusive virtual event offered a space for thoughtful and honest reflection on entering the world of impact investing as a professional of color.

Monique and Tina shared the winding paths that led them to impact investing, how they lean on diverse relationships to guide them as they navigate the field, and how they prioritize self- and familial-care while being leaders in social change. Tina concluded with her hopes for the future of impact investing:

“The fact that there are 40 people that are here for this conversation gives me hope,” she said. “There are so many more talented, experienced, and passionate people of color that are coming into this space and realizing they can have an impact using finance and investment as a tool. It’s for us.”

Be sure to check out future offerings, including gatherings of the Emerging Impact Investing Professionals of Color group, on our website below.