Tag: Horizons Sustainable Financial Services
Learn How To Take Advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act — Part I with Pooja Khosla (Ep. 92)

Learn How To Take Advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act — Part I with Pooja Khosla (Ep. 92)

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If you’re a small business owner looking to contribute towards combating climate change while also strengthening your business, make sure to stream this week’s episode of Deep Impact Investing with Pooja Khosla, the Chief Innovation Officer at Entelligent.

This week, Pooja shares five ways small businesses can utilize government incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act to go green. Through her discussion on ‘greenflation’ and why it matters for our economy, Pooja emphasizes the value of proactively protecting our planet (as individuals and as businesses).

By providing practical suggestions, such as switching to renewable energy and investing in green technology, learn the strategies you need to take advantage of tax breaks while making positive environmental changes.

Pooja discusses:

  • Ways her article covers the Inflation Reduction Act and its benefits for small businesses
  • The government incentives for going green
  • What’s ‘greenflation’ and how it’s impacting our economy
  •  Five changes small businesses can make to benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Pooja Khosla:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel and Johann Klaassen:

About Our Guest:

Dr. Pooja Khosla is the Chief Innovation Officer at Entelligent. Dr. Khosla is an econometrician and data scientist with extensive experience in data analysis, predictive modeling, econometrics, statistics, microfinance, and mutual fund analysis. 

Dr. Khosla is one of the inventors of the patented Smart Climate® technology. She brings her international background in finance, academia, predictive modeling, and statistical software platforms to the company, leading product and client development. 

She has published articles and papers in trade journals, including Pensions & Investments, CFA NYC, and Morning Consult.

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Driving Economic Transformation In Africa & Latin America — Part Il with Ladé Araba and Hayley Mundeva (Ep. 91)

Driving Economic Transformation In Africa & Latin America — Part Il with Ladé Araba and Hayley Mundeva (Ep. 91)

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In part one of this conversation, you heard Ladé Araba and Hayley Mundeva talk about the AlphaMundi Foundation’s mission to strengthen the long-term commercial viability of small and middle-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and Latin America.

This time, Ladé and Hayley are back to uncover fascinating stories while detailing the impact of supporting SMEs in these regions.

From increasing business performance to incorporating more women in the workforce, find out how the AMF is investing in SMEs to increase their commercial viability, which ultimately leads to strengthening African and Latin American communities.

Ladé and Hayley discuss:

  • The structured blended finance that the AlphaMundi Foundation (AMF) provides to small and middle-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • AMF’s approach to gender and climate-smart technical assistance
  • Success stories of the recipients of their support and the positive impact the foundation is making in emerging African and Latin American markets
  • Ways the AlphaMundi Foundation is supporting the incorporation of more women into the workforce
  • The foundation’s long-term vision and how it’s closely related to the growth of SMEs
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Ladé Araba:

Connect with Hayley Mundeva:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel and Johann Klaassen:

About Ladé Araba:

Ladé Araba is a highly-skilled, multilingual Development Finance Executive and Board Member experienced in blended finance, infrastructure/energy project finance, and public-private partnerships (PPP) with over 20 years of professional experience. 

Well-versed in deal origination, investment appraisal, and advising private investors and government stakeholders, Ladé is a strategic leader who is adept at building strong partnerships with private and public clients. 

About Hayley Mundeva:

Hayley Mundeva is a driven professional with a diverse background in Global Health and Development. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for storytelling, Hayley is dedicated to helping people and organizations achieve their goals and maximize their impact.

With extensive experience in communication strategy development, project management, and stakeholder engagement, Hayley has worked on a variety of projects and initiatives, ranging from community-based health programs to international development initiatives.

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Driving Economic Transformation In Africa & Latin America — Part I with Ladé Araba and Hayley Mundeva (Ep. 90)

Driving Economic Transformation In Africa & Latin America — Part I with Ladé Araba and Hayley Mundeva (Ep. 90)

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Have you heard of the AlphaMundi Foundation?

Also known as AMF, the AlphaMundi Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the long-term commercial viability of small and middle-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa and Latin America to drive economic transformation. 

In this week’s episode, Kim Griego-Kiel is joined by Hayley Mundeva, the communications lead, and Ladé Araba, the executive director at the AlphaMundi Foundation, to talk about SMEs and their critical role in female job creation, economic development, and innovation.

Tune in and learn how the AMF supports these enterprises through technical assistance and gender-inclusive policies leading to a positive social and environmental impact. 

Ladé and Hayley discuss:

  • The AlphaMundi Foundation’s vision and mission and how it supports SMEs in Africa and Latin America
  • Ways the foundation is investing in gender diversity, equity, and inclusion in African and Latin American small and middle-sized enterprises (SMEs)
  • How investors can contribute to the AMF
  • What you should know about the AMF’s Theory of Change 
  • Their approach to scaling gender and climate-smart practices
  • Why companies are not always ‘investable’
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Ladé Araba:

Connect with Hayley Mundeva:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel and Johann Klaassen:

About Ladé Araba:

Ladé Araba is a highly-skilled, multilingual Development Finance Executive and Board Member experienced in blended finance, infrastructure/energy project finance, and public-private partnerships (PPP) with over 20 years of professional experience. 

Well-versed in deal origination, investment appraisal, and advising private investors and government stakeholders, Ladé is a strategic leader who is adept at building strong partnerships with private and public clients. 

About Hayley Mundeva:

Hayley Mundeva is a driven professional with a diverse background in Global Health and Development. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for storytelling, Hayley is dedicated to helping people and organizations achieve their goals and maximize their impact.

With extensive experience in communication strategy development, project management, and stakeholder engagement, Hayley has worked on a variety of projects and initiatives, ranging from community-based health programs to international development initiatives.

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Ending Poverty and Achieving Economic Growth: Some Must-Know Sustainable Development Goals (Ep. 89)

Ending Poverty and Achieving Economic Growth: Some Must-Know Sustainable Development Goals (Ep. 89)

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Are you interested in learning how to reduce poverty and create sustainable economic growth for everyone? 

You are in luck because that’s exactly what Kim Griego-Kiel talks about in this week’s episode of Deep Impact Investing.

Kim explains how poverty, decent work, and economic growth are part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGD) while detailing the progress made towards achieving these goals and the challenges and setbacks faced.

Kim discusses:

  • The increase in poverty rates and unemployment due to the pandemic and the prevalence of global child labor
  • The progress made towards ending poverty and sustainable economic growth 
  • The role of inflation, the pandemic, and child labor when it comes to achieving these goals 
  • Digital technology and financial services as tools to improve the lives of people living in poverty
  • What you should know about microfinance 
  • The truth about consumer protection and credit card reward programs
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

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Tidbits with Kim: Sustainable Investing & Working Towards A Sustainable Economy (Ep. 88)

Tidbits with Kim: Sustainable Investing & Working Towards A Sustainable Economy (Ep. 88)

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Welcome to Kim Griego-Kiel’s new segment, ‘Tidbits with Kim!’

Every quarter, Kim will bring you the ins and outs of sustainable investing and handy action items to work towards a more sustainable economy.

In this week’s episode, Kim delves into the world of sustainable impact investing while exploring some exciting new developments in California’s fight against climate change. 

Listen in as Kim navigates the latest news on stricter vehicle requirements, proposed emission disclosure bills, and the benefits of hybrid and electric cars.

Kim discusses:

  • California’s implementation of stricter vehicle requirements to improve fuel efficiency and promote zero emissions
  • The two new bills being proposed in California aimed at holding corporations accountable for their impact on climate change
  • What you should know about carbon emissions and their role within different income brackets 
  • The United Nations’ predictions about the likelihood of animal pandemic being the leading cause of the next pandemic
  • The improvement of plant-based meat options in terms of quality, taste, and texture
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

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Here’s What You Should Know About ESG Mistakes and Real Estate Sustainability with Sam Adams (Ep. 87)

Here’s What You Should Know About ESG Mistakes and Real Estate Sustainability with Sam Adams (Ep. 87)

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What do real estate and sustainability have in common?

This week, Sam Adams, the CEO and co-founder of Vert Asset Management, unpacks the ins and outs of sustainable investing and the need for more sustainability in the real estate arena.

Sam shares Vert’s approach to educating and encouraging companies to take the next step in their sustainability journey while highlighting how the firm advocates for more sustainability in the financial services industry.

Sam discusses:

  • Sustainable investing and the need for more sustainability in the real estate industry 
  • Some eye-opening ESG mistakes advisors might be making
  • The difference between ESG and SRI
  • Ways the real estate strategy fits into the sustainable investing model
  • An overview of the book he’s co-writing, “Your Essential Guide to Sustainable Investing” 
  • What you should know about the Vert Asset Management fund
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Sam Adams:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

About Our Guest: 

Samuel Adams is the CEO of Vert Asset Management. Sam is an environmentalist and a capitalist passionate about preserving and defending nature and has worked as an investment professional. He has 20 years of experience at Dimensional Fund Advisors, where he learned the power of the markets as an Investment Professional. Sam is passionate about making sustainable investing easier for financial advisors and their clients. He also holds a BA from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an MBA from UC Davis Graduate School of Management.

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Koffee with Kim: Exploring Interesting & Fun Financial Aspects (Ep. 86)

Koffee with Kim: Exploring Interesting & Fun Financial Aspects (Ep. 86)

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In this episode of Deep Impact Investing, Kimberly Griego-Kiel is all about unveiling the American financial reality.

This week, Kim takes listeners on a journey through the world of finance, from the history of the stock exchange to the current state of personal finances in the US. 

Kim covers a range of interesting and surprising areas of finance, providing insights into the world of the markets and even the daily financial reality of ordinary Americans.

Kim discusses:

  • When was the first stock exchange established
  • The cost of producing money
  • The truth about US debt
  • Ways financial security varies depending on race, culture, and households
  • What you should know about being financially healthy: Some must-know stats
  • And more!

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

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Critical Climate and Diversity Stakeholder Resolutions for 2023 with Andy Behar (Ep. 85)

Critical Climate and Diversity Stakeholder Resolutions for 2023 with Andy Behar (Ep. 85)

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How much do you know about corporate responsibility and sustainability?

This week, Andy Behar, the CEO of As You Sow, joins Kim Griego-Kiel to talk about the nonprofit organization’s role in shaking up the business world with its innovative environmental and social justice approach. 

Listen in as Andy details the ins and outs of creating a more sustainable and equitable future for this and the years to come.

Andy discusses:

  • As You Sow’s vision and mission  
  • The importance of climate action in the corporate resolution filings for 2023 
  • The value of more companies incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • As You Sow’s role in helping companies minimize the dangers of pesticides in our food system
  • What you should know about company transparency and accountability 
  • Ways As You Sow is working to reduce plastic demand 
  • What you should know about stranded assets
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Andy Behar:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

About Our Guest:

Andy Behar is CEO of As You Sow, the nation’s leading non-profit practitioner of shareholder advocacy and engagement. With a 30-year track record of success, the organization advances values-aligned investing and uses shareholder power to compel companies to reduce material risk on issues including climate change; toxins in the food system; ocean plastics; diversity, equity, and inclusion; racial justice; and wage equity.

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2022 Market Overview: Winners and Losers with Johann Klaassen (Ep. 84)

2022 Market Overview: Winners and Losers with Johann Klaassen (Ep. 84)

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2022 was a year of market turmoil: The S&P 500 and the Russell 3000 were down by almost 19%, and the bond market also suffered a hit.

In this episode, Kim Griego-Kiel brings back one of our favorite guests, Johann Klaassen, the President and Chief Investment Officer at Horizons Sustainable Financial Services. Kim and Johann review the 2022 market performance while detailing the four areas that impacted the markets last year. 

Johann discusses:

  • The Federal Reserve’s efforts to control inflation 
  • The US dollar currency speculation
  • His market predictions for 2023
  • What you should know about diversification 
  • The market’s role in sustainable investing 
  • And more!

Connect with Johann Klaassen:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel:

About Our Guest:

Johann A. Klaassen, Ph.D., is Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for Horizons Sustainable Financial Services. His role is developing asset allocation strategies and overseeing investment policy for Horizons’ individual and institutional clients. As a passionate advocate for SRI, a skilled navigator of its intricacies, and an enthusiastic early adopter of just about every new communication tool and technology, Johann is informed, informative, and far more accessible than his many commitments might imply. He directly serves clients across the nation, tending to specialize in serving unusual and special circumstances or needs.

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Saving Honey Bees & Ecological Agriculture (Ep. 83)

Saving Honey Bees & Ecological Agriculture (Ep. 83)

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Honey bees are well-known and loved, but as the pollinator of 70% of the world’s food crops, their practical extinction is a cause for concern.

In this episode, Kim Griego-Kiel unpacks how optimizing plant and soil health with ecological agriculture can help preserve these essential insects. Kim shares the findings from her research into honey bees and explores the connection between environmental farming and the future of our most important pollinator — the honey bee.

Kim discusses:

  • Ways honey bees are contributing to our food systems
  • The truth about pesticides 
  • Tips to protect honey bees and our health
  • How ecological agriculture helps preserve wild habitats and the soil
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Kimberly Griego-Kiel

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