Impact Investment Symposium Convenes 46 Industry Professionals

The Oberlin Impact Investment Advisory Group (IIAG) hosted a second edition of the Oberlin Impact Investment Symposium on April 23. Held in partnership with the Intentional Endowments Network (IEN), the event brought together 46 endowment managers, trustees, students, faculty, and investment industry professionals across the impact investing ecosystem, fostering the IIAG’s mission to create a peer community for sharing best practices in the evolving field of impact investing as it relates to endowment management.

“The 2025 Impact Investment Symposium was an amazing experience and a great example of peer learning in action,” says Georges Dyers, co-founder and Executive Director of the IEN. He commended the diverse collection of perspectives represented at the symposium, which created a rich and valuable series of conversations. “Oberlin’s leadership, in convening these events, sets a great example. The symposium is a meaningful contribution to advancing the field of impact investing and something we need more of.”

Coordinator of Impact Investments Iman Abdullah ’24 presided over the symposium, which featured keynote speakers on topics at the cutting edge of recent debates in impact investment. Faith Taylor, Global Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability Officer at Kyndryl, gave insights into the AI investment boom and what it means for emissions reductions, targets, and goals.

Two speakers—Mark Pinsky ’79 and Eli Dalven ’16—share Oberlin ties.

Pinsky, a pioneering figure in microfinance and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), has dedicated his career to aligning capital with justice and expanding economic opportunities for under-invested communities through CDFIs. He shared insights on the role of CDFIs as capillaries of the financial system, recent developments in the CDFI space, and impact opportunities that can be leveraged by institutional investors like Oberlin and its peers.

“I am inspired by the work the IIAG is doing to educate the Oberlin community about the vital importance of aligning capital with community values,” says Pinsky. “The symposium brought together a broad range of strategies and experiences to inform that work going forward. My experience at Oberlin undoubtedly influenced my career choice to work with CDFIs, so it was an honor to be asked to give back at the event. I hope I helped the Oberlin community do more to use our collective expertise and resources to make transformative changes in our communities and the world.”

Dalven, Impact Investing and Governance Specialist at Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Trust, moderated a panel—with Boston Common Asset Management Senior Vice President Tara Doyle—on the topic “Burning questions to ask your investment manager.” They discussed different approaches for institutional investors to execute impact in investments managed by external parties, including proxy voting.

The symposium concluded with a presentation from IIAG student fellows Cole Tahjian ’25, Cristian Jimenez ’25, and Lily Gonzalez ’26. They presented highlights from their research projects, which focused on microfinance and emissions reduction. A fourth student fellow, Chemutai Ruto ’25, co-organized the symposium as part of her IIAG project. Each fellow reflected on their personal and professional growth as members of the IIAG.

Oberlin Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee Sean Gavin ’98 found the presentations and discussions relevant to Oberlin’s impact investment goals. Gavin was impressed with both the topics covered and the depth that the speakers and students were able to convey. 

“The breakout sessions have already led to a number of interesting connections that have advanced impact investing at Oberlin and beyond,” said Gavin. “Whether you were a CIO at an endowment, a manager at an impact fund, or a student taking their first steps into impact investing, there was plenty to learn and take away from the event.”