The Future of Finance Podcast

Guardrails for the Digital Age: Investors and the Future of Responsible AI with Michael Connor

In this episode of The Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer kicks off a new series on responsible technology and AI with Michael Connor, Executive Director of Open MIC—a nonprofit pioneering investor engagement on digital technology accountability.
Michael shares how Open MIC has worked for nearly two decades to hold major tech companies accountable on issues from privacy and misinformation to AI governance, workers’ rights, and democracy. He discusses the power of shareholder engagement as both a financial and social tool, and how early-stage investors and venture capital firms can help startups embed responsible tech principles from the start.
The conversation dives into the systemic risks AI poses—from bias, disinformation, and labor disruption to climate impacts—and explores the role investors can play in shaping the future through corporate governance, proxy voting, and public policy advocacy. Michael also shares insights from his journalism background, his optimism about building better systems, and advice for young professionals eager to enter sustainable finance and tech.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Keywords: Responsible AI, shareholder engagement, corporate governance, misinformation and disinformation, tech accountability, sustainable investing, Open MIC, digital ethics, systemic risk, fiduciary responsibility

System-Level Investing with Bill Burckart

In this episode, host Georges Dyer speaks with Bill Burckart, Co-Founder and CEO of The Investment Integration Project (TIIP) and co-author of 21st Century Investing: Redirecting Financial Strategies to Drive Systems Change. Bill explains the concept of system-level investing—a strategic approach that helps investors protect and shape the critical systems (like climate stability, fair labor markets, and democracy) that underpin long-term portfolio performance.
The conversation explores why modern portfolio theory is no longer sufficient in the face of systemic risks like climate change and inequality, and how fiduciaries can—and must—integrate systems thinking into investment strategies. Bill outlines practical tools and frameworks for implementation, including the CRIM test for identifying systemic issues and the SAIL platform for assessing institutional readiness. He highlights real-world examples from University Pension Plan Ontario, CalSTRS, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, showing strong financial performance alongside positive systemic impact.
Listeners will gain insight into how investors can move from managing exposure to reshaping it, why fiduciary duty supports system-level action, and how education, collaboration, and policy engagement can drive a more resilient financial system.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Resources:
TIIP’s report on the Rockefeller Brothers fund: https://tiiproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/RBF-10-Year-Review-8.1.25_FINAL.pdf
21st Century Investing: Redirecting Financial Strategies to Drive Systems Change: https://a.co/d/jf5l5vb
Keywords: System-level investing, fiduciary duty, modern portfolio theory, sustainable finance, climate risk, institutional investors, The Investment Integration Project (TIIP), long-term investing, systems thinking, responsible investing

Solar, Microgrids, and Trust: The Human Side of Sustainability with Ted Flanigan

In this episode of Future of Finance, Georges talks with Ted Flanigan, president of EcoMotion and longtime leader in the energy and sustainability movement. Ted shares his journey from anti-nuclear activism to strategic planning at the New York Power Authority, his pioneering role at the Rocky Mountain Institute, and the founding of EcoMotion. The conversation explores how cities, schools, and companies are adopting cost-effective clean energy solutions—from solar installations and microgrids to EV charging and resilience planning. Ted highlights the importance of trust, honest financial analysis, and behavioral engagement in driving adoption. He also discusses the promise of innovations like vehicle-to-grid integration and space-based solar. Along the way, Ted reflects on his parallel journey as a podcaster with Flanigan’s Eco Logic, where he and his daughter Sierra share stories to inspire a more sustainable future.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Keywords: Ted Flanigan, EcoMotion, Rocky Mountain Institute, energy efficiency, solar power, microgrids, electric vehicles, vehicle-to-grid, energy resilience, sustainable finance

System-Level Finance: How Pension Plans Can Drive Sustainability with Brian Minns

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, George Dyer sits down with Brian Minns, who leads Responsible Investing at the University Pension Plan of Ontario (UPP). With more than $12 billion in assets under management and a strong commitment to sustainability from its inception, UPP is charting a bold course for system-level investing.
Brian shares how UPP approaches responsible investing through a fiduciary lens, balancing the dual role of protecting pension assets while contributing to the global transition toward a sustainable economy. The conversation explores UPP’s climate action plan—including a net-zero by 2040 target—its work with external managers, investment in climate solutions, and the critical role of policy engagement.
Brian also reflects on his two decades in the field, the challenges of fiduciary duty and ESG language, the opportunities in renewables and climate solutions, and his vision for finance as a force to allocate capital to society’s highest and best uses.
This episode offers a candid look at how one of Canada’s largest university pension plans is leading with purpose, pragmatism, and long-term vision.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Keywords: Responsible investing, University Pension Plan of Ontario (UPP), net zero 2040, climate action plan, system-level investing, fiduciary duty, sustainable finance, pension funds, climate solutions, ESG integration

Carrying the Torch: Ray Anderson’s Legacy and the Future of Sustainable Business with John Lanier

In this episode of Future of Finance, Georges Dyer sits down with John Lanier, Executive Director of the Ray C. Anderson Foundation and grandson of sustainability pioneer Ray Anderson. They trace the story of Ray’s transformative leadership at Interface, where he proved that sustainability and profitability could go hand in hand, and explore how those lessons continue through the foundation’s work today.
John reflects on the evolution of Interface’s sustainable business model, the power of biomimicry, and the critical role of culture and leadership in driving innovation.
The conversation turns to the foundation’s focus areas—including education, biomimicry, climate solutions, and the groundbreaking Drawdown Georgia initiative—and its decision to sunset in the next five years to maximize climate impact during this decisive decade. John offers a hopeful yet urgent call to action for philanthropy, business, and individuals to lean into solutions, embrace resilience, and create a better world for “tomorrow’s child.”
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Resources:
Mid-Course Correction Revisited by Ray Anderson & John Lanier (2019 update with six new chapters by John): https://www.raycandersonfoundation.org/midcourse-correction-revisited/
Biomimicry – by Janine Benyus: https://a.co/d/iejiHSy
Keywords: Ray Anderson, Interface, John Lanier, sustainability, biomimicry, circular economy, climate solutions, Drawdown Georgia, philanthropy, future of finance
 

Excellence is Distributed, Capital Is Not: Expansive Investing with Hallie Label

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, host Georges Dyer speaks with Hallie Label, founder of Expect Equity, an innovative incubator model designed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women and people of color in asset management. Hallie shares insights from her career at leading investment firms and explains how Expect Equity provides underrepresented managers with the infrastructure, capital, and relationship-building support they need to succeed at scale. The conversation explores systemic barriers to entry, the importance of trust and back-office infrastructure, the role of trustees and incentives in shaping capital allocation, and how changing governance culture can unlock overlooked talent. Hallie also shares her vision for a financial system where excellence is recognized broadly, incentives are aligned with mission and impact, and durable investment firms are built for long-term success.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Books mentioned:
"The Doors You Can Open" - https://www.rosalindchow.com/book
"Grit" - https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-book/
Keywords: Expect Equity, Hallie Label, asset management, underrepresented managers, institutional investors, capital allocation, investment trust, back-office infrastructure, trustee incentives, inclusive finance

From Toxic Sites to Resilience Scores: New Metrics for Smarter Investing with Paul Herman

In this episode of The Future of Finance, Georges Dyer sits down with Paul Herman, founder of HIP Investor (Human Impact + Profit). Paul shares how HIP uses a tech-enabled platform to turn vast amounts of real-world data—from companies, governments, nonprofits, and even satellites—into impact ratings on hundreds of thousands of securities. These ratings help investors understand both risks and opportunities in areas like climate resilience, toxic site exposure, health outcomes, and corporate sustainability.
Paul also dives into innovative ways HIP is helping cities and municipalities finance their climate action plans, highlighting underutilized tools such as private credit, public-private partnerships, and community foundations. He explains how resilience analysis goes beyond traditional risk ratings, accounting for factors like extreme weather, waste management, and community strength.
With decades of leadership in sustainable investing, authorship of The HIP Investor and The Global Handbook of Impact Investing, and a passion for education, Paul demonstrates how impact investing not only drives positive societal change but also delivers competitive financial returns.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Paul’s books and resources:
The HIP Investor: https://hipinvestor.com/the-hip-investor-book/
The Global Handbook of Impact Investing: https://hipinvestor.com/global-handbook/
Keywords: Impact investing, climate resilience, sustainable finance, municipal climate action, ESG data, toxic site multipliers, private credit, resilient communities, HIP Investor, Human Impact and Profit

Impact, Performance, and Inflation Hedges: Rethinking Real Asset Investing with Machel Allen and Brad Gretsch

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, Georges Dyer speaks with Machel Allen, President & CIO of Metis Global Partners, and Brad Gretsch, Research Analyst at Metis. They dive into the critical role of real assets—including natural resources, real estate, infrastructure, commodities, and precious metals—in driving the energy transition and supporting sustainable investing.
The conversation explores how Metis has developed a sustainable real assets index strategy that provides institutional investors access to diversified, liquid, and cost-effective exposure to real assets—without the heavy fossil fuel tilt of traditional funds. Machel and Brad explain how this strategy balances impact, financial performance, and risk management, making it attractive for foundations, endowments, healthcare systems, and family offices alike.
Listeners gain insight into:
Why real assets are central to decarbonization
The financial performance of sustainable indexes compared to traditional ones
The benefits of liquidity, diversification, and inflation protection
How investors can align mission-driven goals with portfolio strategies
This episode highlights how innovative approaches to real assets can deliver both market returns and climate solutions, helping to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Keywords: Sustainable investing, real assets, energy transition, climate solutions, institutional investors, inflation hedge, diversification, index strategies, endowments & foundations, decarbonization

Investing in Freedom: How Democracy Shapes Long-Term Value with Lauren Caplan & Philippe Bolopion

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, Georges Dyer hosts a powerful conversation with Philippe Bolopion (Managing Director at TOBAM) and Lauren Kaplan (Director of Governance and Risk Integration at Third Side Strategies) on why investors must pay attention to political risk and threats to democracy.
They explore the global trend of democratic backsliding, the clear links between democracy and economic growth, and how exposure to autocratic regimes creates long-term risks for investors. Philippe shares TOBAM’s “Liberty” strategy, designed to reduce exposure to autocratic countries, while Lauren highlights how investors and companies can strengthen governance practices and mitigate systemic risks through better oversight, due diligence, and corporate political responsibility.
From the U.S. to global markets, the discussion makes one thing clear: protecting democracy isn’t just a political concern—it’s an essential part of managing risk and creating sustainable long-term value.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Keywords: Political risk, democracy and investment, autocracy risk, systemic risk, long-term value, corporate governance, sustainable investing, fiduciary duty, democratic backsliding, investor responsibility

From Campus to Cosmos: Rethinking Sustainability and Investment with Mitch Thomashow

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, Georges Dyer speaks with Mitch Thomashow—author, educator, and former Unity College president—about the evolving landscape of environmental learning and sustainability in higher education. Drawing from his books Ecological Identity, Bringing the Biosphere Home, To Know the World, and The Nine Elements of a Sustainable Campus, Mitch explores how institutions can leverage their social, intellectual, natural, and financial capital to become hubs of sustainability innovation. The conversation spans from the personal—how ecological identity shapes values and career paths—to the systemic—how endowments, campus operations, and curricula can align with sustainability goals. Mitch shares insights on systems thinking, the intersection of ecology with equity and democracy, the role of activism in shaping institutional change, and the power of “invisible resistance” through community-based initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of place-based learning, fostering skills for change-making, and reimagining investment strategies to prioritize community well-being and long-term resilience.
This episode is brought to you by Metis Global Partners.
Keep up with Mitch: https://www.mitchellthomashow.com/
Books mentioned:
Ecological Identity, Bringing the Biosphere Home https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262700993/bringing-the-biosphere-home/
To Know the World https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262539821/to-know-the-world/
The Nine Elements of a Sustainable Campus https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262529006/the-nine-elements-of-a-sustainable-campus/
The Light Eaters https://www.elliottbaybook.com/item/MEgaIBq6_d8x81JVs4OwXw
An Immense World https://edyong.me/an-immense-world
Braiding Sweetgrass https://milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrass
The Earth Transformed https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/635264/the-earth-transformed-by-peter-frankopan/
Hope Dies Last https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624630/hope-dies-last-by-alan-weisman/
The Book of Records https://bookendsandbeginnings.com/book/9781324078654
Habitats of the World https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691197562/habitats-of-the-world?srsltid=AfmBOooxhY9gQKcabwhv1kDDAGOCJuXtvHx7bCfnezS60g4-aPMJClHK
Keywords: Environmental learning, ecological identity, sustainable investing, systems thinking, higher education sustainability, campus operations, four capitals framework, place-based learning, activism in education, community resilience