In this episode, hosts Chris Ito and Georges Dyer engage with Kathleen Simpson, CEO of The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF), and Brad Harrison of AlTi Tiedemann Global, TRFF's investment advisor, to explore the intersection of mission-driven investing, shareholder engagement, and the critical role of impact strategies in addressing global climate challenge. Recorded just days after the U.S. election, the episode offers timely insights into navigating uncertainty in the energy transition and scaling impactful investments.

Kathleen Simpson - Chief Executive Officer, The Russell Family Foundation

Brad Harrison - Co-Head of Impact Strategy, AlTi Tiedemann Global

Kathleen Simpson serves as CEO of The Russell Family Foundation, where she guides strategic planning, programs, and community affairs while overseeing the Foundation's impact investing. Under her leadership, first as CFO and now as CEO, the foundation has transformed its portfolio from 7% to nearly 95% impact-aligned investments. She champions TRFF’s Net Zero commitment and regional food systems initiatives while serving on numerous nonprofit boards. With extensive experience in finance and leadership, Kathleen has helped reimagine philanthropy through a decarbonization lens.

Brad Harrison co-leads AlTi's impact investing strategy globally and oversees the firm's Climate Sustainability strategy focused on accelerating the net zero transition. Working with clients to align capital with purpose, Brad’s holistic approach integrates financial innovation with environmental stewardship. He brings decades of experience in climate investing and collaboration with organizations like the Global Impact Investing Network.

• Decarbonization and Impact Journey: Learn how TRFF evolved from initial experiments with community bank investments to becoming a leader in mission-aligned investing with 94% of assets aligned with impact goals.
• Net Zero Framework: Discussion of TRFF's approach to achieving net zero, combining investments in decarbonization technologies with nature-based solutions for a holistic environmental impact.
• Transparency and Field-Building: Insights into TRFF's commitment to transparency and field-building through sharing their investment policies and strategies openly.
• Navigating Policy and Political Uncertainty: Reflecting on the 2024 election, the conversation addresses challenges to the Inflation Reduction Act and its implications for impact investors.
• Impact Measurement: Details about TRFF's participation in the IEN's Endowment Impact Benchmark initiative and achieving a platinum rating, demonstrating the value of third-party verification.
• Future Challenges: The duo share insights on addressing the “last mile” of decarbonization and maintaining a balance between net zero goals and meaningful impact.

Listen as Chris and Georges explore how foundations can lead the way in impact investing while maintaining strong returns and building a more sustainable future.

In this episode, hosts Georges Dyer and Chris Ito are joined by British actors Will Attenborough and Leila Mimmack to share their journey from the world of acting to leading impactful climate campaigns, leveraging their public platforms to drive change in sustainability and finance. Despite coming from acclaimed acting families, Will and Leila bring an unassuming yet passionate approach to raising awareness on environmental issues through their creative work.

Will Attenborough – Actor and Climate Activist

Leila Mimmack – Actor and Climate Activist

Will Attenborough is a British actor renowned for stage and film roles. Inspired by Desmond Tutu's climate justice work, he played a pivotal role in Divest London’s push for fossil fuel divestment. Will spearheaded campaigns within the acting union Equity, achieving the UK's first fossil-free pension fund options for artists. He champions sustainable storytelling, leveraging celebrity influence to model climate solutions. With an acclaimed family legacy, Will uses his platform authentically to shift narratives and inspire urgent environmental action.

Leila Mimmack is a British stage and screen actor driving environmental causes. Alongside Will Attenborough, she catalyzed a grassroots campaign within the Equity trade union, pioneering fossil fuel divestment and greener pension investments for artists. Leila's climate activism stems from her youth, attending rallies inspired by her teacher's rainforest lessons. Now using her creative talents, she collaborates on projects like Equity for a Green New Deal and sustainable theatre practices. Leila harnesses storytelling to reshape society's perspectives on pursuing an ecologically-conscious future.

• Diving into Divestment: Will and Leila recount their journeys into climate activism, starting with the Divest London campaign and efforts to push the London Pension Fund Authority away from fossil fuel investments.
• Union Power for Change: Hear about their strategies working within the Equity trade union to pass motions, lobby leaders, and create more sustainable investment policies for artists.
• The Struggle for Real Impact: The guests discuss the challenges of achieving meaningful change within complex pension funds and institutional inertia around sustainable investing.
• Sustainable Storytelling: Will and Leila explore how their backgrounds as actors allow them to shift narratives and model positive climate solutions through creative projects like the "Green Rider" initiative.
• Actors as Activists: The role of celebrity activism and harnessing the cultural influence of entertainers to inspire climate action in an authentic, relatable way.

Join Chris and George for an engaging discussion on the intersections of art, activism, and finance in driving a better environmental future.

Join hosts Chris Ito and Georges Dyer as they sit down with Heather Beatty, the CEO of ScopeFour Capital, for an insightful discussion on climate solutions in public equity markets. Heather Beatty shares her journey in sustainable investing, her vision for ScopeFour Capital and the importance of focusing on scalable climate solutions beyond just renewables.

Heather Beatty – CEO, ScopeFour Capital

Heather Beatty is the founder and CEO of ScopeFour Capital, an asset management firm dedicated to investing in companies that produce and scale climate solutions. With over 20 years in the institutional world, Heather is passionate about creating impactful change through strategic capital allocation. She draws inspiration from Project Drawdown and the Crane Tool to guide ScopeFour Capital's investment approach. Previously at First Eagle, she created and co-chaired the firm's first climate council. In addition to her climate-related contributions, Heather co-founded Women in Institutional Investments Network (WIIIN), a Los Angeles-based 501c3 as part of her commitment to the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Scaling Climate Solutions: Heather explains how ScopeFour Capital focuses on investing in listed equities that are producing and scaling climate solutions.
• Beyond Renewables: Discussion on the broader market for climate solutions, including waste management, green infrastructure, and building energy efficiency.
• Emission Reduction Potential: Understanding how ScopeFour Capital evaluates avoided emissions and the impact of climate solutions by associating them with company revenue, R&D, and capital expenditures.
• Global Trends and Policy Impacts: Insight into how global policy trends and the upcoming US election cycle could impact climate investments.
• Navigating High Interest Rates: Addressing investor concerns about a persistent high interest rate environment and its effect on capital-intensive climate solutions.
• Diversity in Asset Management: Heather discusses the significance of diversity in asset management and the progress the industry has made.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into investing in climate solutions, understanding the broader market dynamics, and navigating the complexities of sustainable investing.