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Emerson holds Masters degrees in both business and social work administration, has written over thirty articles and papers and has co-edited multiple books on topics as diverse as sustainable investing, performance metrics and measurement, impact investing and sustainable hedge fund investing. He works with foundations, investment funds, individuals, social enterprises and businesses to assist those who seek to maximize the total value of their investing and entrepreneurship to attain their personal and professional visions. Originator of the concepts of Blended Value and Total Portfolio Management, Jed Emerson has extensive experience leading, staffing and advising funds, firms, social ventures and foundations pursuing financial performance with social and environmental impact.

In addition to his writing, Jed currently focuses on working with families exploring how to ensure a long term legacy by managing their full net worth for impact. He also advises investment firms on the implications of an impact investing framework for their practice. He is an internationally recognized Thought Leader in impact investing, social entrepreneurship and strategic philanthropy. Emerson has played founder roles with some of the nation’s leading venture philanthropy, community venture capital and social enterprises.

The Purpose of Capital: Elements of Impact, Financial Flows and Natural Being

Mon, Mar 25, 12:00

A truly unique exploration of how investors may act with deeper consideration of the meaning of money, The Purpose of Capital: Elements of Impact, Financial Flows and Personal Being explores the historic roots of our understanding of capital, investing and wealth management, connecting how we think about finance with how we think about our lives, world and ultimate, personal purpose and impact.

In this talk, Jed Emerson will explore how our focus on investing as finance alone has taken us down the wrong path. By not pursuing a deeper exploration of capital, we leave extra-financial value on the table, missing out on the opportunity to more fully integrate purpose with profit. By focusing upon financial returns, we fall short of our potential to invest for the benefit of a broader set of stakeholders, including the environment, our communities, and our personal development. The roots of our current inability to invest for total returns is an historic struggle, one that connects us with centuries of reflection by a variety of cultures and traditions, the lessons from which may benefit investors today.