The Future of Finance Podcast

Fossil Fuel Free Retirement Options with Alex Wright-Gladstein

In this episode of Future of Finance, host George Dyer speaks with Alex Wright-Gladstein, founder and CEO of Sphere, a mutual fund company revolutionizing retirement investing by offering fossil fuel-free options. Many people unknowingly invest in fossil fuels through their 401(k)s, as plan administrators often default to funds with heavy industry exposure. And many plans don’t even offer options that would give people the choice to avoid the sector if they want to. Alex shares insights on the financial risks of fossil fuel investments, the growing demand for sustainable investing, and the power of divestment. She also provides actionable steps for individuals to push for fossil fuel-free options in their retirement plans.
Keywords:
Sustainable investing, Fossil fuel divestment, ESG funds, 401(k) investments, Retirement savings, Impact investing, Mutual funds, Climate finance, Sphere investments, Green finance, Climate investing, Fossil fuel free investing 

The Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development with Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt

Episode Resources
In this episode of The Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer welcomes Dr. Karl-Henrik Robèrt, a pioneering scientist and sustainability expert, to discuss the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD). They explore how businesses, investors, and policymakers can use a systems-thinking approach to address sustainability challenges and identify opportunities for innovation. Dr. Robèrt shares insights from his decades of work, including the founding of The Natural Step and the Masters in Strategic Leadership Towards Sustainability (MSLS) program. The conversation delves into the role of finance in enabling systemic change, the importance of strategic boundary conditions, and how AI can support sustainability planning.
Keywords:
Sustainability, Strategic investment, Systems thinking, Finance and sustainability, The Natural Step, Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD), Sustainable innovation, AI in sustainability, Circular economy, ESG investing

Investing in Water: The Hidden Giant of Sustainable Finance with Tom Ferguson

In this episode of Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer speaks with Tom Ferguson, founder and managing partner at Burnt Island Ventures, to explore the critical intersection of water and finance. With climate change exacerbating global water challenges, Tom discusses how water innovation presents both a moral imperative and an investment opportunity. He shares insights on the pressing need for resilient water infrastructure, the role of venture capital in water-related startups, and groundbreaking innovations like subsea desalination and AI-powered utility management. The conversation also touches on the financial implications of water scarcity, the importance of affordable access, and the overlooked role of water in global emissions. 
Keywords:
Water innovation, Climate resilience, Venture capital, Water scarcity, Desalination, Sustainable finance, Water infrastructure, Utility management, Emissions reduction, Future of water
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The Energy Transition, Macroeconomics, and Climate Change with Charlie Donovan

In this episode of The Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer speaks with Charlie Donovan, Senior Economic Advisor at Impax Asset Management and Visiting Professor of Finance at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. They dive deep into the complexities of the energy transition, the challenges of net-zero investing, and how macroeconomic factors like inflation and interest rates shape sustainable finance. 
Charlie shares insights on the importance of segmenting climate investments across value chains, the role of fixed income in sustainable investing, and why companies must move beyond "paper decarbonization" to achieve real-world impact. He also discusses the role of policy, risk management, and the future of finance, emphasizing the need for clear market rules and fairness in climate economics.
 
Keywords
Sustainable finance, net zero investing, energy transition, climate solutions, impact investing, fixed income sustainability, ESG policy, climate risk insurance, macroeconomic trends, green bonds.

Customizing Impact: Mission-Aligned Passive Equities Strategies with Ethic’s Claire Quigley

In this episode of The Future of Finance, Georges Dyer sits down with Claire Quigley, Client Portfolio Manager, Sustainability Solutions at Ethic, to explore the evolving landscape of sustainable investing. Claire shares how Ethic helps investors—including institutional investors like endowments and foundations—align their portfolios with their missions while achieving their risk-adjusted returns targets.
They discuss the power of shareholder activism, the role of transparency in ESG investing, and how data-driven strategies shape investment decisions. Claire also sheds light on how Ethic customizes passive equity portfolios, engages in proxy voting, and navigates the challenges and opportunities in sustainable finance.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on the future of sustainable investing, how institutions can build consensus around impact priorities, and why finance has a critical role to play in shaping a more sustainable world.
 
Keywords: 
sustainable investing, mission aligned investing, values alignment, Ethic, shareholder engagement, passive equity, financial returns, impact investing, climate change, ESG, investment strategies
 

The Power of Capital: Asha Mehta on Investing for Impact in Emerging Markets

In this episode of The Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer sits down with Asha Mehta, Founder and CIO of Global Delta Capital and author of The Power of Capital: An Adventure Capitalist’s Journey to a Sustainable Future. Asha shares her journey from microfinance in India to leading institutional investments in emerging markets, revealing how capital can drive both financial returns and sustainable impact.
They dive into the power of capital in shaping economies, the role of technology in leapfrogging traditional development models, and the massive investment opportunities in frontier markets. Asha also unpacks the intersection of governance, liquidity, and impact, offering insights on how investors can align profit with purpose while navigating global markets.
This episode brought to you by Impax Asset Management
Keywords:
Sustainable investing, Emerging markets, Frontier markets, Impact investing, Financial inclusion, Renewable energy, Digital finance, Microfinance, ESG investing, Governance, Capital flows, AI in finance

Beyond Carbon Accounting: Forecasting Climate Impact with Rho Impact

How can investors accurately measure the impact of climate solutions? In this episode of The Future of Finance Podcast, host Georges Dyer speaks with Seth Sheldon, Founder & Chief Scientific Officer of Rho Impact, and Gilman Callsen, Founder & CEO of Rho Impact, about the complexities of forecasting emissions reductions. They discuss the crucial role of avoided emissions (sometimes referred to as Scope 4), how Rho Impact’s data-driven approach informs the Crane and Koi tools to help investors evaluate climate technologies, and why precision and transparency in carbon accounting are vital for directing capital toward meaningful climate solutions.
This episode explores how startups, venture capitalists, and institutional investors can leverage data science and software to forecast the real-world impact of emerging technologies—ensuring that investments are driving true sustainability.
Tune in to gain expert insights on how finance can play a critical role in combating climate change.
This episode brought to you by Impax Asset Management
Keywords: 
Avoided Emissions, Carbon Accounting, Sustainable Finance, Impact Investing, Climate Solutions, Net Zero Investing, Scope 4 Emissions, ESG Investing, Institutional Investors, Greenhouse Gas Reductions, Climate Tech Investment, Endowment Investing, Sustainable Innovation, Financial Impact Analysis
 

Quantitative Investing: Risk, Return & Sustainability with V-Square’s Mamadou Sarr

In this episode of The Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer sits down with Mamadou Sarr, co-founder and president of V-Square Quantitative Management, to explore how quantitative investing intersects with sustainability and risk management. Mamadou shares his journey from global finance to launching V-Square, a data-driven asset management firm specializing in thematic and multi-asset class investing.
The conversation delves into the fundamentals of quant investing, debunking myths about algorithmic trading, and highlighting how systematic strategies help investors navigate risk and opportunity. Mamadou also discusses the evolving role of AI in investment decision-making, emphasizing its potential and limitations.
As an advocate for sustainable finance, Mamadou shares insights on climate risk, stakeholder capitalism, and the trends shaping investor behavior today. Whether you're an institutional investor, a student exploring finance, or simply curious about the future of investing, this episode provides a compelling look at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and market strategy. 
This episode brought to you by Impax Asset Management
Keywords
AI, quantitative investing, sustainable investing, finance, investment strategies, institutional investors, climate risk, biodiversity, wealth transfer, education

Systemic Risks & Impact-First Investing in Emerging Markets with John Simon

Georges Dyer sits down with John Simon, Founding & Managing Partner of Total Impact Capital, to explore the evolving landscape of impact investing and the strategies needed to align financial success with social and environmental responsibility.
They dive into the role of Total Impact Capital in financing high-impact opportunities in emerging markets, the introduction of Total Impact Notes as a new investment avenue, and the importance of sustainable revenue models. The discussion also highlights the significance of community involvement, how to engage diverse investor types, and key advice for aspiring impact investors.
This episode brought to you by Impax Asset Management
 
Keywords
impact investing, sustainable finance, Total Impact Capital, systemic risks, community engagement, investor types, revenue models, social value, development finance, future of finance

Shifting Trillions: Mission-Aligned Investing at The Sierra Club Foundation & Beyond

In this conversation, Georges Dyer and Pedro Henriques da Silva discuss the importance of sustainable investing and the role of the Sierra Club Foundation in shifting investments towards a regenerative economy. They explore the Shifting Trillions Initiative, the Endowment Impact Benchmark, and the significance of aligning investments with positive social and environmental impact. Pedro discusses his career path and previous work with Global Endowment Management (GEM), and his current work with the Sierra Club Foundation. The discussion emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to investing that considers long-term impacts on communities and ecosystems, as well as practical advice for aspiring investors in the sustainable finance space.
This episode brought to you by Impax Asset Management
Keywords
sustainable investing, climate justice, impact investing, Sierra Club Foundation, Shifting Trillions Initiative, endowment impact benchmark, fiduciary responsibility, community investment, renewable energy, social capital