The Future of Finance Podcast

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

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, Georges Dyer speaks with Cory Donovan, Co-Founder and Senior VP for Community Engagement, and Kafi Lindsay, CEO of ImpactPHL. Together, they explore how place-based impact investing is transforming Philadelphia into a national model for inclusive, regenerative economic development. Cory and Kafi share how ImpactPHL builds awareness, educates investors, and fosters a powerful local ecosystem that aligns capital with community values. From shifting the financial sector toward "one-pocket thinking" to challenging outdated notions of fiduciary duty, this conversation highlights both systemic failures and bold innovations. They unpack how aligning capital with community priorities can address deep-rooted racial and economic inequities—while creating a more sustainable financial system for the future.
Keywords: Place-based investing, ImpactPHL, inclusive economic development, fiduciary duty, local investing, system-level change, community wealth, sustainable finance, Philadelphia impact ecosystem, one-pocket thinking

In this special episode of the Future of Finance podcast, we feature a compelling presentation from David Livingston, Chief Strategy Officer at Galvanize Climate Solutions and former senior advisor to U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry. Livingston outlines how the global energy transition is unfolding within three sweeping macro shifts: from a G-7 to a G-Zero geopolitical landscape, from climate cooperation to climate competition, and from fossil fuels to a future dominated by electricity and data.
He dives into the role of clean energy as both an economic and strategic asset, explores the geopolitical ramifications of decentralized energy systems, and outlines the massive growth potential in electricity, data centers, geothermal, and storage. Livingston also discusses how institutional investors are adapting to these changes and where they might be missing opportunities.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of climate, policy, geopolitics, and long-term investment strategy.
Keywords: Energy transition, clean energy, climate competition, geopolitics, electrification, Galvanize Climate Solutions, industrial policy, institutional investment, data centers, carbon border adjustments

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, Georges Dyer sits down with Grant Harrison, Vice President of Sustainable Finance and ESG at Trellis Group. Formerly known as GreenBiz, Trellis is a hub for corporate sustainability professionals, convening communities through editorial content, events, and a growing professional network. Grant shares insights on the evolution of Trellis, the shift from reporting to implementation in sustainability, and how companies are navigating political headwinds, particularly in the U.S.
They explore critical trends such as greenhushing, the emergence of the ESG controller role, the integration of sustainability across departments, and the tension between short-term financial incentives and long-term value creation. The episode also touches on AI's role in ESG reporting, the rise of net-zero accountability, and the increasing importance of system-level investing. Grant’s reflections offer both realism and optimism about building a financially and environmentally sustainable future.
Keywords: Sustainable finance, ESG reporting, greenhushing, corporate sustainability, trellis group, ESG controller, climate disclosure, system-level investing, net-zero transition, political headwinds

In this episode, Scott Hobart takes us inside the transition to a decarbonized energy system, with a sharp focus on the evolution of the electricity grid. Drawing on his global experience in commodities and energy markets—from China’s industrial boom to U.S. grid reform—Scott discusses the increasing demand from AI and data centers, the transformative role of tech giants in power generation, and the investment opportunities within nuclear, geothermal, and storage technologies. He explains why policy certainty is essential, why energy equity is an emerging concern, and how partnerships with academia (like Princeton and Columbia) are accelerating innovation.
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about how finance, technology, and infrastructure are converging to reshape the power sector—and the planet’s future.
Keywords: Electricity grid, decarbonization, energy transition, AI, data centers, climate investing, public markets, energy storage, policy certainty, renewable energy, institutional partnerships

In this episode of the Future of Finance podcast, host Georges Dyer sits down with Sean Penrith, founder and CEO of Gordian Knot Strategies, to explore how capital can be more effectively deployed to combat climate change. With two decades of experience in climate finance, Sean shares insights into the firm’s mission to mobilize $1 billion annually by 2030 through innovative climate investment strategies. They dive into the power and pitfalls of voluntary and compliance carbon markets, the potential of nature-based solutions like reforestation, grassland restoration, and peatlands, and the challenge of aligning returns with impact. Sean also reflects on systemic barriers, the importance of systems thinking, and the role of policy in scaling climate solutions. It’s a deep and candid conversation about connecting capital to climate action—and doing it with integrity.
Keywords: Climate finance, carbon markets, nature-based solutions, impact investing, gordian knot strategies, systems thinking, philanthropic capital, reforestation, voluntary versus compliance markets, credit enhancement mechanisms

In this episode of the Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer speaks with Temple Fennell, Co-founder and Managing Director of Clean Energy Ventures, to explore the frontier of climate tech venture capital. Temple shares how his fund backs early-stage companies targeting the most difficult sectors to decarbonize—concrete, ammonia, cooling systems, battery recycling, and more—with the bold goal of mitigating 2.5 gigatons of CO₂ by 2050. The conversation covers Clean Energy Ventures’ investment strategy, impact measurement through a proprietary emissions calculator, the intersection of technical rigor and scalable innovation, and the role of strategic partnerships in growing climate solutions. Temple also delves into the importance of policy-agnostic business models, underappreciated sectors like cooling and water, and his work supporting family offices and next-generation investors. This is a candid and in-depth look at how venture capital is fueling the clean energy transition.
Keywords: Climate tech, venture capital, emissions reduction, clean energy ventures, decarbonization, cooling systems, battery recycling, hydrogen and ammonia, impact investing, early-stage innovation

In this episode of The Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer speaks with Brandon McNamara, Ph.D., a researcher at Northern Arizona University, about how endowments and institutional investors can better measure and manage the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions embedded in their investment portfolios. Brandon shares the details of his groundbreaking research analyzing the carbon footprint of NAU’s endowment, using the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) framework. They dive into how carbon accounting for investments works, the challenges of Scope 3 emissions, and how universities can integrate climate data into decision-making around divestment and engagement. Brandon also reflects on how academia can help drive real-world impact and offers advice to students entering the sustainable finance field.
Keywords: Carbon accounting, scope 3 emissions, university endowments, sustainable investing, PCAF, divestment vs. engagement, climate risk, investment portfolios, ESG strategy, greenhouse gas emissions

In this compelling episode of The Future of Finance, Georges Dyer speaks with Dr. Ellen Quigley, Principal Research Associate at the University of Cambridge and Special Adviser to the university's CFO on Responsible Investment. Ellen breaks down the concept of universal ownership, the risks of climate change through the lens of systemic investing, and how endowments and other long-term asset owners can be powerful agents of change.
She also introduces a groundbreaking corporate bond index designed to avoid funding fossil fuel expansion while encouraging investor impact through tools like debt denial and director vote strategies. Ellen critically examines ESG investing, warns about the under-recognized dangers of methane-heavy infrastructure, and calls for investors to shift the social discourse in ways that legitimize climate-aligned policy.
Through practical examples and philosophical insights, this episode offers a rich, urgent, and ultimately hopeful look at how finance can be reimagined to serve people and the planet.
Keywords: Universal ownership, anthropocene, systemic risk, fossil fuel divestment, responsible investment, corporate bond index, director votes, climate change, asset owners vs asset managers, endowment model

In this episode of the Future of Finance, host Georges Dyer sits down with Bob Smith, Co-Founder, President, and Co-Chief Investment Officer at Sage Advisory. Bob shares his firm’s evolution since its founding in 1996—from two people and a Bloomberg terminal to managing $30 billion in assets—driven by a mission to align investments with purpose. The conversation dives deep into Sage’s approach to purpose-driven and liability-aware investing, their proprietary ESG scoring system (the Leaf Score), and how they’ve built ESG integration into fixed income and ETF strategies.
Bob also provides a candid view of how today’s political climate has impacted sustainable investing, the retreat in corporate stewardship, and the dangers of “greenhushing” alongside greenwashing. The episode explores policy ideas like carbon pricing, the sustainability tradeoffs of tariffs, and the role of AI and blockchain in the future of finance. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on building resilience, transparency, and values alignment in investment strategies.
Keywords: ESG investing, purpose-driven finance, fixed income strategies, Leaf Score, greenwashing and greenhushing, political backlash on ESG, tariffs and sustainability, carbon pricing, AI in finance, sustainable investment frameworks