The MaRS Centre for Impact Investing is pleased to partner with Assiniboine Credit Union as the Impact Investing partners for the Canadian Responsible Investing Conference, SRI+20 The Future of Investing.

On the morning of June 19, you are invited to join the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing and TBC Capital for an impact investing intensive session on Mission Related Investing (MRI). Mission Related Investing in Canada is an emerging opportunity for foundations and their investment advisors. To date there is $150m in MRI by early foundation adopters. Channeling just 10% of foundations' total investment capital into MRI could mobilize $3.4B to advance the collective missions of foundations, as recommended by the Canadian Task Force on Social Finance.

In this emerging field, key challenges to scaling MRI remain in sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities in a cost effective way, as there are high-transaction costs relative to small deal sizes.

This year, we are proud to have an expert group of panelists to address such challenges. Join a conversation with leading industry experts in the field of Mission Related Investing (MRI). The June 19th, intensive session kicks off with a panel of presenters whose experience can provide attendees with an analysis of the field and examples that have worked to meet MRI opportunities.

Join Betsy Martin, co-founder of Jackson/Martin who will moderate a discussion with:

• Patrick Gleeson, CEO, Meyer Family Enterprises. MFE is a family office, including a family foundation based in Napa Valley, California, that is shaking up traditional investment and philanthropic models. Patrick oversees the management of the numerous partner interests for MFE, manages MFE’s investment portfolios, facilitates the philanthropic vision of the Meyer Family Fund, supports the family’s trusts, works with the Meyer children on various projects, and serves as the business advisor to the family’s winery – Meyer Family Cellars.
• R. Paul Herman, CEO & Founder, HIP (Human Impact +Profit) Investor Inc. Paul Herman (interviewed on SocialFinance.ca) is an international expert in impact investing and sustainability. Paul and his team created the HIP (Human Impact + Profit) scorecard for companies and investors worldwide to quantify impact and financially value how sustainability can drive financial performance. As a wealth manager and investment adviser, HIP guides families, family offices and foundations towards higher impact investments that can generate financial returns. HIP's best-selling book, The HIP Investor; Make Bigger Profits by Building a Better World (John Wiley & Sons, 2010) in a "how to" for investors, and is integrated into 10 graduate business school curricula (learn more at www.HIPinvestor.com). Herman’s financial acumen was honed at the Wharton School and McKinsey & Co., and he accelerated social entrepreneurs at Ashoka.org and Omidyar Network.
• Christian Novak, Chief Investment Officer, TBC Capital Asset Management Inc. Christian has over 20 years of experience in emerging markets, having worked for JPMorgan, ING, Morgan Stanley and National Bank Financial Group, in their Credit Risk Management, Fixed Income, and Investment Management divisions. He also possesses over 10 years experience in microfinance, sustainable development projects, and impact investing
• Brent Walker, CA, co-founder and principal of WFT Innovations Inc. Brent brings 30 years of financial leadership, including 21 years as a partner in 2 international CA firms. He has specialized in business, finance, technology and risk consulting. Over his career Brent has worked with a wide variety of companies assisting them with their business needs, including: information technology; processes and controls; strategic planning; investor presentations, accounting and financial reporting; budgeting and cash flow planning; marketing; and general business needs.

The Impact Investing stream at SRI+20 continues with a keynote panel on June 20th. Titled, “A new stage of growth: the difference impact investment makes”, to address the continuum of impact investing in Canada; from capital formation for investment to the differences being made in communities.

In 2011, the Canadian impact investment marketplace received $248M in newly raised and $27M in newly committed capital through newly launched funds such as; TBC Capital, the Community Forward Fund, Vancity Resilient Capital, Hamilton Community Investment Fund and the RBC Impact Investing Fund. These new entrants join with existing private equity funds and community investment programs within credit unions, labour solidarity funds and social economy investment funds, including patient capital and hybrid investment funds that have emerged with enabling public policy measures across the country.

The panelist will address what impact investing means to them, how it is growing and what impact can it have within a local community in the areas of affordable housing, micro-lending for local economic development, global health, and renewable power. Impact investing is an emerging market solution with opportunities to shape how finance can develop sustainable solutions for social and environmental challenges today.

Join moderator Karim Harji of Venture Deli with the following panelists:

• Christine Bergeron, Investment Manager, Community Capital, Vancity, Resilient Capital
• Tom Rand, Advisor, Cleantech, MaRS Discovery District
• Dr. Marguerite Mendell, Professor and Vice-Principal of the School of Community and Public Affairs, Concordia University
• Priscilla Boucher, Vice-President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Assiniboine Credit Union

MaRS Centre for Impact Investing is also pleased to co-host with the Social Investment Organization a pre-conference investors luncheon. By invitation only, this event will profile five of Canada’s leading fund managers who will speak about their funds and distinct investment strategies in the evolving area of impact investing.

For more information on The Canadian Responsible Investment Conference, please visit: http://sioconference.com.

Note: There will be coverage of the conference on SocialFinance.ca. Meanwhile, use and monitor this hashtag for SRI+20 conference tweets: #riconf2012.

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