Episodes

  • Investing in Inclusive Capitalism: Roy Swan's Vision for the Ford Foundation (Part Two)

    Investing in Inclusive Capitalism: Roy Swan's Vision for the Ford Foundation (Part Two)
    Jun 25 2024
    In the second half of the compelling discussion, Roy Swan dives deeper into the pioneering impact investments being made by the Ford Foundation's Mission Investments Program. He provides illuminating examples from their portfolio, ranging from affordable multi-family housing funds to innovative fintech companies quantifying corporate externalities. Roy shares the investment criteria they use, with a typical minimum of $1 million and flexibility to back proven fund managers at various scales. He is candid about the need for more consolidation among small CDFIs to drive greater impact at scale. The conversation turns to the vital importance of serving long-overlooked rural communities through creative, solutions-oriented capital. Looking ahead, Roy offers his perspective on the future of impact investing. While facing backlash in the U.S., he sees the global impact investing movement rapidly gaining momentum. Roy envisions the Ford Foundation playing an influential role as a trusted voice promoting "patriotic capitalism" that generates returns while benefiting society. The episode concludes with Roy's inspiring vision of steering more capital towards investments that create inclusive prosperity. His insights leave listeners with an appreciation for impact investing as a powerful means to build a more just, equitable economy that unlocks human potential.
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    24 mins
  • Investing in Inclusive Capitalism: Roy Swan's Vision for the Ford Foundation (Part One)

    Investing in Inclusive Capitalism: Roy Swan's Vision for the Ford Foundation (Part One)
    Jun 18 2024
    In this inspiring episode, Frank has a candid conversation with Roy Swan, the inaugural head of the Ford Foundation's Mission Investments Program. With a career spanning finance, banking, investments, and law, Roy provides incredible insights into using capital for positive social and environmental impact. Roy shares his surprising path from Morgan Stanley to joining the Ford Foundation and overseeing the innovative program that utilizes the foundation's full $16 billion endowment for mission-aligned investing. He dives into the critical distinction between program-related investments using grants and mission investments from the endowment aimed at market-rate returns with impact. The episode explores the Ford Foundation's priorities and strategies for creating inclusive capitalism. Roy passionately discusses investing in quality jobs that engage workers as valued assets rather than expenses. He advocates for increasing diversity among fund managers as a financial imperative, given the massive economic cost of a lack of access to capital for women and people of color. Through thoughtful examples and data, Roy makes a compelling case that patriotic capitalism benefiting society is not at odds with financial returns. His vision sees investing in capital to address major social challenges like inequality and climate change as an arbitrage opportunity. The episode is an inspiring call for investors to seek both profit and progress in building a more just, inclusive economy.
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    24 mins
  • Scaling Impact Investing to Address Society's Greatest Challenges with Amit Bouri, CEO of GIIN (Part Two)

    Scaling Impact Investing to Address Society's Greatest Challenges with Amit Bouri, CEO of GIIN (Part Two)
    May 28 2024
    In the second part of this insightful discussion, Frank and Amit Bouri, CEO of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), explore key challenges and opportunities facing the impact investing field as it continues to gain mainstream momentum. They discuss the vital roles of governments and foundations in de-risking new business models and investment opportunities in underserved communities. Amit provides powerful examples of innovative companies bringing affordable clean energy, food security, and economic empowerment to families through novel financing approaches. The conversation dives into the importance of rigorous impact measurement to track real-world outcomes beyond just outputs. Amit shares the GIIN's IRIS+ system and works to promote systemic investing strategies. He emphasizes the need for a long-term, dynamic perspective to enhance resilience in complex systems like food and agriculture. Addressing doubts around fiduciary duty, Amit makes a compelling case that impact investing aligns with investors' obligations by supporting a stable, sustainable economy and planet—essential for delivering solid long-term returns. As impact investing evolves from niche to mainstream, this candid dialogue outlines steps to overcome roadblocks and fulfill its transformative potential to fundamentally reshape capitalism into a more inclusive, just, and regenerative economic system.
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    26 mins
  • Scaling Impact Investing to Address Society's Greatest Challenges with Amit Bouri, CEO of GIIN (Part One)

    Scaling Impact Investing to Address Society's Greatest Challenges with Amit Bouri, CEO of GIIN (Part One)
    May 21 2024
    In this episode, Frank is joined by Amit Bouri, the CEO and co-founder of the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN). They discuss how impact investing—investments made to generate positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns—can be a powerful force to tackle major issues like climate change, inequality, affordable housing, and more. Amit shares his inspiration for co-founding the GIIN and this nonprofit's critical role in increasing the scale and effectiveness of impact investing globally. He explains the GIIN's nine principles for investors to integrate impact into their full investment lifecycle with integrity. The conversation dives into strategies for mainstream impact investing, engaging mainstream financial institutions, and opening pathways for individual investors. Amit emphasizes the importance of advocating for public policies that steer more capital toward impactful solutions while protecting everyday individuals. As impact investing continues to evolve, this engaging discussion explores its potential as a transformative approach to reshaping capitalism into a system that creates value for all stakeholders and regenerates communities and the planet.
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    28 mins
  • Investing for Good: Pioneering Impact Investments with Kimberlee Cornett (Part Two)

    Investing for Good: Pioneering Impact Investments with Kimberlee Cornett (Part Two)
    Apr 30 2024
    In the second part of this episode of "A New Capitalism with Frank Altman," Frank dives deeper into the role of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing, drawing from insights in his book. He unpacks the concept of ESG investing, exploring how it integrates environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance into investment decisions, driving positive societal and environmental impact alongside financial returns. Frank and Kimberlee Cornett also delve into the critical issue of social determinants of health, illuminating how factors like income, education, housing, and access to nutritious food profoundly influence individual and community well-being. They discuss the innovative investments organizations are making outside of traditional healthcare sectors to address these determinants, from affordable housing initiatives to education and community development programs. Furthermore, Kimberlee shares her perspectives on the importance of innovation in impact investing, emphasizing the need for creative approaches to address complex social and environmental challenges. Join Frank Altman and Kimberlee Cornett as they explore the intersections of finance, social impact, and innovation, inspiring listeners to rethink traditional investment paradigms and harness the power of capital for positive change.
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    24 mins
  • Investing for Good: Pioneering Impact Investments with Kimberlee Cornett (Part One)

    Investing for Good: Pioneering Impact Investments with Kimberlee Cornett (Part One)
    Apr 23 2024
    In this episode of "A New Capitalism," Frank delves into the transformative potential of capitalism with his guest, Kimberlee Cornett, Senior Director of Impact Investments at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Kimberlee shares her insights and experiences in pioneering innovative financing models, such as pay-for-performance, to fund critical services and affordable housing. As a passionate community leader, Kimberlee brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion, drawing from her extensive background serving on the boards of Habitat for Humanity International and The Conservation Fund. Throughout the episode, Frank and Kimberlee explore practical steps individuals can take to make a positive impact with their money, highlighting real-world examples of how investments can drive positive change in under-resourced communities Join Frank Altman and Kimberlee Cornett on "A New Capitalism" as they inspire listeners to reimagine capitalism and take action towards building a more just and equitable economy for all.
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    19 mins
  • Revitalizing Roots: Nourishing Communities through Indigenous Foodways with Chef Sean Sherman (Part Two)

    Revitalizing Roots: Nourishing Communities through Indigenous Foodways with Chef Sean Sherman (Part Two)
    Dec 19 2023
    In part two, Sean dives deeper into the impact of creating jobs and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities. He explains how hiring Native workers and sourcing ingredients from local tribes and producers directly benefits those communities. Sean emphasizes the importance of keeping dollars circulating within Indigenous economies and how his business models a reciprocal relationship between restaurants and providers. He shares insights from opening his restaurant during COVID and how pandemic difficulties highlighted the need for more Indigenous food security networks. Throughout the conversation, Sean and Frank unpack the potential for Indigenous-led businesses to catalyze systemic changes and create a new, more cooperative capitalism. Tune in to hear Sean's wisdom on nurturing community resilience through food entrepreneurship grounded in Indigenous values.

    About Chef Sean Sherman: A member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, Chef Sean Sherman focuses on the revitalization and evolution of Indigenous foods systems throughout North America. Through his activism and advocacy, Sean is helping to reclaim and celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Indigenous communities around the world. Sean has dedicated his career to supporting and promoting Indigenous food systems and Native food sovereignty. His goal is to make Indigenous foods more accessible to as many communities as possible through the non-profit North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS) and its Indigenous Food Lab professional Indigenous kitchen and training center. Working to address the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways, NĀTIFS imagines a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises. Sean’s first book, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, received the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook in 2018, and he was given the 2019 Leadership Award from the James Beard Foundation. In 2021, Sean opened Minnesota’s first full service Indigenous restaurant, Owamni, which received the 2022 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in America on top of numerous awards nationwide. Sean has just been named one of the Time 100 Most Influential People of 2023. For more visit his website seansherman.com.
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    16 mins
  • Revitalizing Roots: Nourishing Communities through Indigenous Foodways with Chef Sean Sherman (Part One)

    Revitalizing Roots: Nourishing Communities through Indigenous Foodways with Chef Sean Sherman (Part One)
    Dec 12 2023
    This week Frank is joined by Chef Sean Sherman to discuss Indigenous foodways, cultural revitalization, and building a new capitalism rooted in reciprocity. Sean shares his powerful vision for reconnecting people and communities to Native foods and food sovereignty. Sean and Frank explore innovative models for sustainable local economies that support Indigenous producers and challenge extractive capitalist practices. Tune in for an energizing conversation about the intersections of food, culture, and business and how we can come together to nourish and empower all people.

    About Chef Sean Sherman: A member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, Chef Sean Sherman focuses on the revitalization and evolution of Indigenous foods systems throughout North America. Through his activism and advocacy, Sean is helping to reclaim and celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Indigenous communities around the world. Sean has dedicated his career to supporting and promoting Indigenous food systems and Native food sovereignty. His goal is to make Indigenous foods more accessible to as many communities as possible through the non-profit North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS) and its Indigenous Food Lab professional Indigenous kitchen and training center. Working to address the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways, NĀTIFS imagines a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises. Sean’s first book, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, received the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook in 2018, and he was given the 2019 Leadership Award from the James Beard Foundation. In 2021, Sean opened Minnesota’s first full service Indigenous restaurant, Owamni, which received the 2022 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant in America on top of numerous awards nationwide. Sean has just been named one of the Time 100 Most Influential People of 2023. For more visit his website seansherman.com.

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    17 mins