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Get inspired by the latest thoughts on racial equity & place-based impact investing from our nationally esteemed guests & networking time.

Build Forward Better: The 2021 Twin Cities Impact Investing Ecosystem Conference

JUNE 10, 2021

CLOSED

ONLINE with ZOOM

Cogent presents over a dozen guests with proven social impact strategies, nearly all of who are offering their valuable experiences as BIPOC. Featured Guest, Dana K. Bezerra, President of F.B. Heron Foundation, closes the day with her insights from over a decade in the field. Stick around for opportunities to network and hear from other key guests. If you are a professional looking for ways to invest in social good - or are already doing so - don't miss this day of powerful knowledge and new connections.

Agenda

Socializing

Zoom room opens for attendee socializing, introductions, and interactive features.

9:15 AM CST

Pre-Session: Impact Investing Refresher

For those new to the field or who need a quick brush up before the conference gets into specifics, Cogent Consulting Founder Susan Hammel, CFA discusses the Twin Cities Impact Investing Ecosystem model: map, gaps, and shared framework.

Susan Hammel, CFA, President and Founder of Cogent Consulting PBC, helps do-gooders do better by being smart about money. Her Harvard MPP and cum laude philosophy degree from Carleton College inspired her to leave Wall Street and use her financial acumen to help mission-driven organizations.

9:30 AM CST

Panel: Impact Investing Nationally

A conversation with national impact investing figures Cory Donovan, Monique Aiken, and Devon Walls.

Cory Donovan is the Executive Director of ImpactPHL, a non-profit advocacy organization that helps individuals and organizations align their financial assets with their values.
Monique Aiken is the Managing Director at The Investment Integration Project, which helps investors understand how healthy environmental, social, and financial systems support long-term investment.
Devon Walls is executive director of MJ Freed, president of New Day Chester, proprietor of The Artist Warehouse, and provides artistic and educational direction to Chester Made, which revitalizes neighborhoods through the arts.

10:30 AM CST

Breakout Guests: Twin Cities Sparks

Converse with up-and-coming Twin Cities impact finance leaders in these sessions. We call these speakers “Sparks” because they are lighting fires for action by addressing the gaps in our ecosystem and inviting others to join their initiatives.

Nikki Pieratos is a leader in community development finance and is Managing Director of NDN Fund, which provides financing for large-scale development projects that align with Indigenous economic regenerative principles. She is a citizen of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa with a Master's in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Nikki Pieratos is a leader in community development finance and is Managing Director of NDN Fund, which provides financing for large-scale development projects that align with Indigenous economic regenerative principles. She is a citizen of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa with a Master's in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Kayla Yang-Best is the leader of co-retailing, a grocery model that allows small food businesses to maintain competitive pricing while minimizing costs. She has more than 20 years of leading strategic operations and philanthropic investments for organizations like Bush Foundation, Cargill, United Way, and international NGOs.
Kayla Yang-Best is the leader of co-retailing, a grocery model that allows small food businesses to maintain competitive pricing while minimizing costs. She has more than 20 years of leading strategic operations and philanthropic investments for organizations like Bush Foundation, Cargill, United Way, and international NGOs.
Tonnetta Carter is the Associate Director of Investments for gener8tor, a venture capital fund and startup accelerator that invests in early-stage companies and helps them grow via their global network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors.
Tonnetta Carter is the Associate Director of Investments for gener8tor, a venture capital fund and startup accelerator that invests in early-stage companies and helps them grow via their global network of mentors, customers, corporate partners and investors.
Danielle Steer is the founding Executive Director of Lunar Startups, the Twin Cities’ first early-stage accelerator for founders who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, and LGBTQ.
Danielle Steer is the founding Executive Director of Lunar Startups, the Twin Cities’ first early-stage accelerator for founders who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, and LGBTQ.
Kate Mortenson is a strategist with a degree in journalism and extensive media expertise, which led to her founding PBC media service iPondr to portray authentic America and spark genuine conversations to Build a Kinder America, as well as iPondr@Work, a workplace solution centering team development through empathy.
Kate Mortenson is a strategist with a degree in journalism and extensive media expertise, which led to her founding PBC media service iPondr to portray authentic America and spark genuine conversations to Build a Kinder America, as well as iPondr@Work, a workplace solution centering team development through empathy.
Before launching Venn Foundation, Jeff Ochs served as the Executive Director of an angel investor network, managed the University of Minnesota’s Discovery Capital program, and consulted for foundations making social investments. He is recognized with multiple local business awards and was key in drafting MN's PBC statute.
Before launching Venn Foundation, Jeff Ochs served as the Executive Director of an angel investor network, managed the University of Minnesota’s Discovery Capital program, and consulted for foundations making social investments. He is recognized with multiple local business awards and was key in drafting MN's PBC statute.
Warren McLean works with minority entrepreneurs and economically challenged neighborhoods. He led MEDA for nearly 10 years, and worked at the Minneapolis-based Community Reinvestment Fund for 15 years. McLean joined NEON as President in 2018 and is one of Twin Cities Business Magazine's Top 100 to Know.
Warren McLean works with minority entrepreneurs and economically challenged neighborhoods. He led MEDA for nearly 10 years, and worked at the Minneapolis-based Community Reinvestment Fund for 15 years. McLean joined NEON as President in 2018 and is one of Twin Cities Business Magazine's Top 100 to Know.
Elaine Rasmussen is CEO of Social Impact Strategies Group (SISG), a Black/Native-led certified B-corp social enterprise that consults on social impact in the finance and philanthropy sector for clients like Allianz Life, Frontier Incubators, Beta.MN, Swift Family Foundation and Greater Twin Cities United Way.
Elaine Rasmussen is CEO of Social Impact Strategies Group (SISG), a Black/Native-led certified B-corp social enterprise that consults on social impact in the finance and philanthropy sector for clients like Allianz Life, Frontier Incubators, Beta.MN, Swift Family Foundation and Greater Twin Cities United Way.
Timothy Roman is co-founder and CEO of Ecotone Analytics, focusing on integrative leadership and stakeholder collaboration for social and environmental impact. He consults in social enterprise strategy and IT departmental management.
Timothy Roman is co-founder and CEO of Ecotone Analytics, focusing on integrative leadership and stakeholder collaboration for social and environmental impact. He consults in social enterprise strategy and IT departmental management.
David McGee is the founder and Executive Director of Build Wealth Minnesota, a 501c3 non-profit CDFI which helps thousands of families become self sufficient and build assets while attaining sustainable social and economic wealth.
David McGee is the founder and Executive Director of Build Wealth Minnesota, a 501c3 non-profit CDFI which helps thousands of families become self sufficient and build assets while attaining sustainable social and economic wealth.
Funlola Otukoya expands venture capital funding for people of color. As a Bush Fellow and an investment analyst for the McKnight Foundation, he employs an equity lens to invest in opportunities that align with his institution’s values.
Funlola Otukoya expands venture capital funding for people of color. As a Bush Fellow and an investment analyst for the McKnight Foundation, he employs an equity lens to invest in opportunities that align with his institution’s values.
Dr. Paul Campbell Co-Founded Brown Venture Group (BVG), venture capital firm exclusively focused on Black, Latino, and Native American tech entrepreneurs that provides founders with investment capital, training, and professional networks.
Dr. Paul Campbell Co-Founded Brown Venture Group (BVG), venture capital firm exclusively focused on Black, Latino, and Native American tech entrepreneurs that provides founders with investment capital, training, and professional networks.

11:15 AM CST

Call to Action: We Will Build Forward, Better

Cogent Founder Susan Hammel, CFA joins the Twin Cities Sparks in a dialogue covering what has progressed in the past five years - and what hasn't. Take note of the resources and initiatives they spotlight.

12:25 PM CST

Break

12:30 PM CST

Exclusive Post-Session: Cultivating Your Local Ecosystem

Nationally recognized guest Dana K. Bezerra, President of the F.B. Heron Foundation, closes the conference with a special session for organizations and national leaders seeking insight on the impact investing ecosystem model planning and implementation.

Dana K. Bezerra is the president of Heron. With over two decades of nonprofit management experience, she leads Heron’s responsibility to feed the agency of local leaders by supporting them and their enterprises.
Dana K. Bezerra is the president of Heron. With over two decades of nonprofit management experience, she leads Heron’s responsibility to feed the agency of local leaders by supporting them and their enterprises.

12:45 PM CST

Exclusive access to Ecosystem Sustainer ticketholders

Networking, Postings, and Socializing

The Zoom room and chat will remain open once the featured guests have wrapped up for job postings, networking opportunities, and sharing resources.

UNTIL
2:00 PM CST

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