Pre-Event
Monday, June 10, 2024
Open to Confluence Members & Approved guests
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM | “What if Women…?” Women's Leadership Initiative Dinner
ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
This dinner discussion is part of Confluence’s Women’s Leadership Initiative: “What if Women…?” The initiative provides a series of peer-building events for women investors and is designed to offer a supportive community, a safe space for conversation, and opportunities for new connections.
Advisors Forum
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Open to Confluence Members & Approved guests
8:15 AM – 8:45 AM | Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Welcome Remarks
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM | The Role of Investment Advisors in Driving Client Commitment
For nearly two decades, the impact investing industry has worked tirelessly to grow; to grow entrepreneurs and managers, to grow capital, and ultimately, to grow the belief that there is a better way to steward capital. And yet, despite all the talk and travel, a recent Bridgespan report found that on average, foundation endowments have allocated 27% or less of their portfolios to impact. In this opening session, we wonder: What will it take to move endowments to greater mission alignment? Is this percentage realistically sufficient? If so, why? What is the role of investment advisors, and how can the impact industry itself drive client commitment? Audience discussion and debate are welcomed.
9:45 AM – 10:30 AM | Audience Discussion
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Coffee Break
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | Plenary: Finding the Path Towards Foundation Endowment Transparency
The opacity of foundation endowments has shielded institutions from the public view and obstructed valuable information from being shared for learning and effectiveness among colleagues. When public trust in institutions is shockingly low, foundations must learn how to share more about their investment processes and results — especially as greater accountability and effectiveness can ultimately accelerate capital flows toward impact. This panel features the voices of foundation leaders to hear why they have begun a learning journey together to embrace greater endowment transparency.
Speaker:
Daniel Gould, Vice President of Investments & Operations, Marguerite Casey Foundation
Additional speakers to be announced
11:15 AM – 11:45 AM | Keynote: What’s Your Role in the Underground Railroad?
Tynesia Boyea-Robinson, President and CEO, CapEQ
The Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action has produced a chilling effect, leading some organizations and investors to retreat from their DEI and ESG efforts. However, many have nevertheless doubled down in their commitment to equity, while engaging in new, less visible tactics to respond to the changing landscape.
There are different viewpoints on whether this shift in approach is cowardice or strategic. Join us for a thought-provoking keynote about how we can build the Underground Railroad of the twenty-first century.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Seminar Flash Talks
Seminar organizers will provide a short flash talk about the seminars before the afternoon sessions.
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch
1:45 PM – 4:45 PM | Concurrent Collaborative Seminars
Building Ethical Tech & Responsible AI for Investment Managers
Sponsored by NetGain Partnership
Given AI's significant potential and other technological advancements, there is a growing imperative to promote and invest in responsible tech. This seminar will invite investment advisors and consultants to explore the technical risks of AI from an investment perspective, as well as ongoing challenges in AI that matter to values-aligned investors. Participants will gain insight into responsible technology lens investing alongside practical implementation tools.
Speakers:
Alissa Black, Strategic Advisor, Media Democracy Fund
Shu Dar Yao, Founder, Managing Partner, Lucid Capitalism
Putting Investor Heat on the Chilling Effects of the Affirmative Action Ruling
Sponsored by Westfuller
Today, competing priorities for investor attention, legal uncertainty following the SCOTUS ruling against affirmative action, and coordinated moves against ESG and DEI initiatives require investors to sharpen their tools. This interactive seminar will explore emerging advocacy and legal strategies that support values-aligned investors in upholding their DEI and racial equity commitments. Speakers will discuss what can be done to safeguard progress and how investors can powerfully respond to a fast-changing market environment.
Speakers:
Carrie H. Cohen, Partner, Morrison & Foerster
Ian Fuller, Chief Executive Officer, Westfuller
Jerry Maldonado, Vice President of Programs, PolicyLink
Additional speaker to be announced
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | On-Site Networking Reception
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Racial Equity Initiative Dinner - ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Climate Solutions Summit
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Open to Confluence Members & Approved guests
8:15 AM – 8:45 AM | Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM | Welcome Remarks
9:15 AM – 10:00 AM | Climate Correction: Will the Markets Solve Climate Change?
Are capital markets capable of solving climate change? Today, a historic level of federal investments flowing into clean energy and unprecedented demand for renewable infrastructure across the U.S. may set a seismic shift toward greening the U.S. economy. But will these investments be enough to solve climate change in the floodlights of anti-ESG headlines and the absence of a climate-positive regulatory environment? Join us for a spirited, collegial debate about whether market solutions are the key to meeting our climate targets. This session will feature strong views for and against the proposition that the markets will solve climate change — and encourage lively audience participation. Our goal is to daylight nuanced points of view and highlight the opportunities that need investor attention so that we can truly stop the climate crisis. The event will follow Lincoln Douglas debate rules.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Plenary Discussion: A Fast-Moving Renewable Energy Future
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Break
10:45 AM – 11:15 AM | Mitigating the Real Costs of Climate Change: Climate Justice, Land Rights and Migration
Speaker:
Janene Yazzie, Director of Policy & Advocacy, NDN Collective
Additional speakers to be announced
11:15 AM – 11:25 AM | Confluence Announces Release of “Leave No One Behind: Definitions and Resources for Investing in Climate Justice”
11:25 AM – 11:55 AM | Plenary
11:55 AM – 12:15 PM | Seminar Flash Talks
Seminar organizers will provide a short flash talk about the seminars before the afternoon sessions.
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch
1:45 PM – 4:45 PM | Concurrent Collaborative Seminars
Delivering the Promises of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) promises an unprecedented $27 billion to accelerate the adoption of greenhouse gas-reducing technologies. Private capital has an important role to play in supporting this investment ecosystem. Many hope to see these resources used to fill economic gaps for marginalized communities. This panel will explore how value investors are uniquely positioned to help deliver the promises of the GGRF by bringing much-needed private-sector capital into play.
Speakers:
Dan Chu, Executive Director, Sierra Club Foundation
Jennifer Pryce, President and CEO, Calvert Impact
Additional speakers to be announced
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | On-site Networking Reception
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Climate Solutions Collaborative Dinner - ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED