During this conversation, we will explore the challenges foundations face when maximizing impact across asset classes. How do you effectively manage risk vis-a-vis return and impact? How do you make investments that promote racial equity? How do you engage and effectively listen to your stakeholders about impact investing? What are the most unexpected challenges you faced before you made your first impact investment?
At this convening, you will also learn about the emerging Philanthropy California Impact Investing Collaborative, a movement among Philanthropy California members to share best practices and collectively capitalize on impact investments for maximum impact in the Golden State.
Join us to:
Hear from leading California foundations, the County of Fresno, and advisors, on the tools they are employing to activate their portfolios for impact in California’s underserved communities.
Speakers
Catherine Banat, Managing Director, US Responsible Investing, RBC Global Asset Management
Catherine Banat oversees the Responsible Investing Platform for RBC GAM-US. As an ambassador for the value proposition associated with Responsible Investing and the strategic approach of RBC, Catherine is a keen advocate of responsible investing within the broader investment community. She serves as a thought leader and relevant voice advocating for combining a competitive financial return with a sustainable investing lens. Catherine has dedicated her entire career to the financial services industry and has held senior-level positions at Paloma Partners, Goldman, Sachs & Co., C3 Capital, and Lehman Brothers. Catherine has more than 20 years’ experience in the investment industry. She earned a BA in history and a BSE in management from the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School, as well as an MBA in finance from Columbia University. Catherine holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses.
Ted G. Benedict, CFA, CAIA, Managing Principal, Meketa Investment Group
Mr. Benedict joined Meketa Investment Group in 2007 and has been in the financial services industry for 23 years. Mr. Benedict's consulting work includes investment policy design, asset allocation modeling, defined contribution plans, and manager research. Prior to joining Meketa Investment Group, Mr. Benedict was employed at Pacific Life, performing investment management research, fund coordination, and implementation of the firm’s asset allocation program. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics from St. Lawrence University. Mr. Benedict has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute and is a member of the CFA Institute, as well as the CFA Society of San Diego. Mr. Benedict also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation and is a member of the CAIA Association
Rosa Benitez, Director of Program Investments, Weingart Foundation
As Director of Program Investments, Rosa Benitez is responsible for overseeing Weingart Foundation’s Program-Related Investment (PRI) Fund which provides low-interest loans to nonprofit organizations. Rosa joined the Foundation in 2008 as a Program Officer, and previously managed the Foundation’s grantmaking in the special issue area of housing and homelessness. She possesses two decades of experience working in the public, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, Rosa served as a Program Officer at the California Community Foundation, where she managed its grantmaking portfolio in the area of housing. She holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Los Angeles.
Mark Doherty, Director of Investments, San Francisco Foundation
Mark is the San Francisco Foundation’s Director of Investments and leads a team which stewards $1.5 billion of charitable capital. Mark’s team is responsible for the analysis, operations, and communications related to the foundation’s core investment portfolios, externally managed funds, and impact investing portfolios. He helps evaluate and implement investment and liquidity management strategies to best support SFF’s mission. Prior to joining the foundation, Mark lived in London and was Operations Director at UK Community Foundations, an organization supporting the 46 community foundations in the UK. Before London, Mark served as Director of Investments at Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
Ronald A. Homer, Chief Strategist and Impact Investing, RBC Global Asset Managment
Ron Homer is responsible for servicing the firm’s impact on investing clients and ensuring that investment solutions are implemented based on each client’s customized impact requirements. Previously, Ron was co-founder and chief executive officer of Access Capital Strategies LLC, an investment adviser specializing in community investments that were acquired by RBC GAM-US in 2008. As an industry veteran who has worked in the financial services industry since 1969, Ron is often sought to consult with leading government officials on a variety of community impact issues. Ron earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA from the University of Rochester, and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses.
Nathan Magsig, Fresno County Board of Supervisors, District 5
Since 2017, Nathan has been representing eastern Fresno County; prior, he served on the Clovis City Council for 16 years and was privileged to represent the citizens of Clovis as mayor for two terms. A 30 year Fresno County resident, Mr. Magsig is the son of a pastor and openly affirms the profound impact his faith in God has had on his life. He attended Clovis schools, where he excelled both academically and athletically. He holds two master's degrees from California State University Fresno, one in criminology, another in business administration. He is also a licensed general contractor and serves on numerous boards and committees.
Michael Poremba, Managing Director, Consultant Relations and Institutional Sales, RBC Global Asset Management
Mr. Poremba is part of the RBC GAM Consultant Relations team, where he develops and maintains relationships with investment consulting organizations. Prior to joining RBC GAM this year, he worked in consultant relations with Neuberger Berman and Franklin Templeton, and has been in the industry since 1997. Mr. Poremba earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Trinity College and holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses.
Wendy Walker, CFA, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates
Prior to joining Cambridge Associates, Wendy worked on the investment teams at Imprint Capital Advisors, focusing on socially responsible and environmental-themed fund managers, and at Parnassus Investments, integrating environmental, social and governance factors into the industry and company-specific research. She is a former vice-chair of the Sustainable Investing Committee of the New York Society of Security Analysts. Wendy graduated cum laude from Yale University and earned an MBA (with Honors) from the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley. She serves on the Advisory Committee to the Haas Sustainable Investment Fund.
Target Audience
This event is for members of SDG, NCG and SCG. This event is also open to eligible non-members: family offices, private investors, foundations, institutional investors who are interested in learning about investments into enterprises and funds that generate financial returns alongside positive social and environmental impact.
In Partnership With
Thank you to RBC Global Asset Management for sponsoring and partnering on this impact investing series.
