More Than $$

Dawn Carpenter, your host of More Than Money, welcomes you to the final episode of Season 2 to discuss the moral compass that the faith and values based investment community offers the corporate community , in a conversation with Josh Zinner, CEO of Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR). This episode builds upon previous conversations in Season 1 about impact investing as an alternative and/or a complementary approach to asset management. In this episode, listeners are introduced the approached of the work of the faith-based investment community, which is not simply and passively screening for values, but actively taking a role and pushing a responsible corporate behavior on a global scale.   Key Takeaways: [1:50] Josh Zinner career briefing. [2:54] How ICCR started and why? [4:12] Members of ICCR. [5:32] Connection between faith and investing according to ICCR. [8:30] Maximizing value for investors. [8:56] Prioritizing community impact over companies. [9:41] Role of shareholder advocacy as a pillar of responsible investing. [11:40] Shareholders resolution. [13:13] ICCR No Fees Campaign. [16:45] ICCR Guide for Ethical Recruitment. [18:17] Real challenges for the coalition. [23:20] Legacy of ICCR and current campaigns to inspire listeners to action. [25:31] In the food area, dialogs about antibiotic use in our meat supply chain. [26:23] Pharma industry and transparency pricing. [28:23] Investors for human rights.   Mentioned in this episode: Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility The No Fees Initiative. Follow More Than Money Check More than Money Website  

In this episode of  More Than Money, Dawn Carpenter draws your attention to a sobering reality: more people are incarcerated per capita in United States than in any other country on Earth. Over 2.3 million are incarcerated and approximately 600,000 of them will transition back into society each year, the biggest challenge being to find a job. In this episode, we delve into this topic with  Nancy La Vigne of the Urban Institute, a nonpartisan research institute and a leading authority on justice policy. Later in this episode Dawn introduces listeners to Robert Egger, the legendary social entrepreneur who founded DC Kitchen a generation ago and has gone on to bring his energy and expertise to Los Angeles to found and lead LA Kitchen. Robert shares his passion for finding innovative, supportive, and inspiring ways to ease the transition back into the world of work by giving people another chance to have a productive life. Listen to this episode and be inspired to start the change in your community.   Key Takeaways: [1:48] Nancy G. La Vigne career briefing. [2:37] The Justice Policy Center at the Urban Institute — what is it? What are its functions? [4:05] The problem of finding work after incarceration. [4:58] The stigma of being incarcerated. [7:05] Background checks and their implications. [9:50] What does the research say about what employers can do to promote the hiring of returning citizens or not discriminating? [12:20] Robert Egger, founder and CEO of LA Kitchen and previously DC Kitchen. [12:40] How LA kitchen started and what is about? [14:30] How did Robert Egger start in this field? [16:43] Empower LA Program that helps ex-offenders to find their way back into the community. [19:15] Healthy and nutritious food made out of donations. [20:40] Senior poverty. [22:32] Participants in LA Program. [23:24] Intergenerational approach. [25:03] How participants transition into the world of work?   Mentioned in this episode: Urban Institute LA Kitchen DC Kitchen Follow More Than Money Check More than Money Website  

Dawn Carpenter welcomes you to a new episode of More Than Money where she continues the conversation on corporate social responsibility started on Season 1, but this time focusing on the consumer perspective. Unfortunately, we live in a time when we take for granted that the products we consume  should be and are safe, but this has not always been the case. In this episode, Dawn engages in a deep conversation with Ralph Nader, the man that is known for doing more than any single person to advance our cry for the production of safe products and good responsible business practice. Listen to this episode, get inspired, and remember that we all have within us the power to change and make change.   Key takeaways: [2:15] Ralph Nader career briefing. [3:20] How Ralph Nader started his involvement in consumer safety activism? [7:23] Organization first built for consumers safety. [8:24] Role of the courts in enforcing and mandating corporations to be responsible. [10:15] Why corporations didn't do the right thing from the beginning? [12:23] Consumer advocacy role that had the most impact. [14:05] The Museum of Tort Law. [14:54] Challenges for future activists. [15:21] Medical malpractice in the U.S. [16:38] Legacy that Ralph Nader wants to leave. [18:44] How companies can be inspired to do better? [22:10] Ralph Nader Radio show   Mentioned in this episode: The Museum of Tort Law The Ralph Nader Radio Hour Podcast  Free Ralph Nader weekly column Follow More Than Money Check More than Money Website  

In this episode, from their headquarters in Netherlands, Dawn Carpenter talks with David Korslund with The Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV) about using finance to deliver sustainable, economic, social and environmental development throughout the world. As a member bank in the GABV alliance, Sunrise Bank CEO, David Reiling, explains how compassion is the bank’s motivation. The financial institutions discussed in this episode are institutions with some of the most sophisticated and innovative capital stacks in the business. Listen to this episode and be inspired by bankers who are using their talent for social good.   Key takeaways: [2:16] How and why the GABV was developed. [3:48] How did banks from multiple countries find a common ground? [4:48] Six principles underlying these various models. [7:52] What are some of the challenges that these banks face? [8:57] Financial and human capital. [9:27] Changes seen since the founding of the Alliance. [11:28] Leadership Academy. [12:51] Future of the Alliance. [17:20] How Sunrise Bank got started. [19:13] Two branches of Sunrise Bank. [19:53] Unique organization structure. [21:15] The meaning of BCorp certification. [22:05] Sunrise Bank employees. [25:21] What is “Caring Cultural Achievement”? [27:53] Specific impact products. [30:44] Innovative projects in the New Market Tax Credit area.     Mentioned in this episode: Global Alliance for Banking on Values. Sunrise Bank David Reiling on LinkedIn David Reiling on Twitter Follow More Than Money Check the More than Money Website  

Dawn Carpenter welcomes Janelle Orsico funder and executive director of The Sustainable Economies Law Center and #buytwitter activist, Maira Sutton to a new episode of More Than Money, where technology is approached from an ethical perspective, zooming in our most popular tech platforms that look less like a business, per se, and more like public infrastructure. Are we transiting a digital revolution? What is certain is that what we do with technology and about it will dictate the kind of civilization that comes after us. Listen to this episode and explore innovative business models.   Key takeaways: [1:45] Janelle Orsi’s career briefing. [2:43] Are we in a digital revolution? [4:10] Role of the ‘commons.’ [4:54] Idea of inequality addressed by Tech platforms. [7:15] Examples of Tech platforms structured as cooperatives. [8:53] How can innovation be motivated? [10:31] Work of  the Sustainable Economy Law Center. [12:31] Idea of cooperatives managing Tech platforms. [14:30] Maira Sutton’s career briefing. [14:51] Background about a solidarity economy writer and an activist. [16:01] What is #buytwitter campaign”? [25:32] Example of Cooperatively owned ISP.   Mentioned in this episode: Book by Nathan Schneider Ours to Hack and to Own: The Rise of Platform Cooperativism, a New Vision for the Future of Work and a Fairer Internet Internet of ownership  Shareable Social.coop The Sustainable Economies Law Center Follow More Than Money Check the More than Money Website  

In this episode, Dawn Carpenter will discuss the significance of thinking about tourism and its business from an ethical perspective. Tourism challenges the very core of ethics, our sense of the difference between what is right and what is wrong. This episode guests, Mark Watson of Tourism Concern UK and Michael McHugo owner of the  Kasbah du Toubkal in Morocco , will motivate the audience to reflect about how our consumer and travel choices can have real consequences, with the potential of injury and harm as well as the ability to booster and enrich communities. Be mindful and aware of the impact that your travel choices make.   Key takeaways: [2:01] How did Tourism Concern start? [3:13] Sustainability in tourism. [4:08] Concern about some eco-tourism labels. [5:06] Ethical Travel Guide. [10:13] Campaigns about indigenous communities. [12:18] Cruise ships’ poor workers conditions and few benefits for the destinations. [17:20]Tourism concern. [20:54] Digital campaigns. [25:30] Michael McHugo career briefing. [26:13] How did Michael McHugo end up in Morocco? [26:56] Moroccan history. [28:01] First vision document created for the Kasbah project. [30:40] Village association. [33:16] Designated by National Geographic as one of the unique lodges of the world. [33:54] The Kasbah and ethical tourism.   Mentioned in this episode: Ethical Travel Guide Tourism Concern Tourism Concern on Facebook Tourism Concern on Instagram Kasbah du Toubkal National Geographic: Unique Lodges of the World Follow More Than Money Check More than Money Website  

In this episode Dawn Carpenter talks about the idea of an anti-sweatshop, the experience of an inspiring apparel factory in the Dominican Republic that shows the world that is possible and actually good business practice for an apparel factory in the developing world to pay, not only a living wage, but a dignity wage in a work environment that is honorable. John Kline, co-author with Sarah Adler Milstein of Sewing Hope and a leading authority on international business ethics and Adriana Vaez, manager of the Alta Gracia apparel factory, share the amazing opportunity that is given to this Dominican Republic community while creating a profitable business. Listen to this episode and be inspired to become a mindful consumer.   Key takeaways: [1:35] John Kline career briefing. [2:20] What is a sweatshop? [3.05] Where do we find sweatshops? [4:05] How does supply chain responsibility work? [5:23] What is oligopsony? [6:47] Story about a factory in Alta Gracia, Dominican Republic. [10:05] How has Alta Gracia been successful? [10:54] How does the company market itself? [15:25] Adriana Vaez career briefing. [16:46] A little more about Alta Gracia employees. [17:55] How is working in Alta Gracia compared to working in other apparel factories? [18:57] Impact that the factory has on the local community. [20:25] Where can these products be found?   Mentioned in this episode: The Book: Sewing Hope: How one Factory Challenges the Apparel Industry´s Sweatshops, By John  M. Kline and Sarah Adler-Milstein.   Alta Gracia Apparel Alta Gracia products on Amazon. Alta Gracia at Barnes and Noble Follow More Than Money Check More than Money Website  

Dawn Carpenter welcomes Rehana Nathoo, from The Case Foundation, Tom Adams a Director from Acumen, a UK social venture and private equity firm, and Amanda Feldman from Bridges Fund Management UK. They enter a thoughtful discussion about impact investment, exploring how “big data” can help impact investors and social entrepreneurs make better and smarter decisions about resource allocation and the assessment of impact. Listen to this episode and learn how data is being effectively collected to improve the performance of social enterprises business around the world.   Key takeaways: [1:45] Rehana Nathoo career briefing [2:30] How Big Data affects impact investing. [3:46] Why is impact investing so important? [5:01] Transparency [6:25] The Case Foundation Network Map [9:21] Example of what a search might look like. [11:39] What is the next step for this work? [15:07] Tom Adams career briefing. [15:40] Amanda Feldman career briefing. [16:33] Adam talks about types of data. [21:11] How do you go collecting and using data to improve Social Investing? [25:11] The Impact Management Project. [27:26] Feldman explains how customers’ answers are categorized into five dimensions of impact. [29:11] Lessons learned from the Global Impact Management Project. [30:31] How will this tool be used in the future?   Mentioned in this episode: The Case Foundation The Case Foundation on Twitter + Acumen Impact Management Project Lean Data Bridges Fund Management Follow More Than Money Check More than Money Website  

In this episode, Dawn Carpenter talks with Caroline Whistler, CEO of Third Sector Capital, David Merriman, Assistant Director of Health and Human Services for Cuyahoga County Ohio (Cleveland and Marcia Egbert from the George Gund Foundation, about cutting-edge innovation in the field of financing social service. Listen to this episode to be inspires by the innovative way financing tools are being used to promote social good.   Key takeaways: [1:33] Caroline Whistler career briefing. [2:05] What does it mean “Pay for Success”? [3:02] Differences between Pay for Success and performance-based contracting. [6:03] How did Third Sector Capital start? [8:46] Five elements playing a role in the Pay for Success model. [9:45] Example of a typical Pay for Success contract. [14:09] Role of the evaluator in this process. [14:50] In which areas this type of model tends to be successful. [16:31] Which are the challenges? [19:24] Vision for the future. [23:41] How did David find out about Pay for Success? [27:01] How and why the George Gund foundation joined the government in this new way of delivering social services? [28:46] Integrated data systems in the social services. [29:21] How did the Cuyahoga County team (public private partnership) put the program together to solve the community problem? [32:28] How do they see the measures of success?   Mentioned in this episode: Third Sector Capital The George Gund Foundation Pay for Success Nonprofit Finance Fund Follow More Than Money Check More than Money Website  

In this episode, Dawn Carpenter, along with Marti Tirinnanzi and Bill Ulivieri, explore the idea about how cryptocurrency and Blockchain are revolutionizing the world of finance, opening the possibility for anyone, anywhere to have the possibility of transferring money, buying and selling only needing a cell phone and internet service. Listen to this episode and learn about this universal form of money which is expanding around the globe, creating opportunities where there weren’t any, from social enterprises to traditional philanthropy; the future of money transfer is here.   Key takeaways: [1:33] Marti Tirinnanzi career briefing. [2:02] What is Bitcoin? [2:53] How can regular people get access to Bitcoin? [4:07] What is Blockchain? [6:01] What are miners? [6:28] How Bitcoin got started. [7:29] What are the challenges Bitcoin is facing? [9:07] How do you see the projection of Bitcoin and Blockchain? [11:01] Bill Ulivieri career briefing. [11:30] How Bitcoin and blockchain are disruptors of the financial ecosystem. [13:03] How do you use Bitcoin? [14:28] How Bitcoin can change the world of donations and philanthropy. [17:07] How do you get your Bitcoin money out of your phone? [17:44] What are the barriers to implementation of Bitcoin? [18:30] Where is Bitcoin being used? [19:54] Where do you see Bitcoin in the future?   Mentioned in this episode: Bitcoin Marti Tirinnanzi on Linkedin. Marti Tirinnnanzi at Financial Standards. Get the book The Blockchain Revolution, by Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott. Follow More Than Money Check More than Money Website Bitcoin on YouTube Bitcoin on Twitter Cenacle Capital Management Mining Rig Solutions  

In this episode, Dawn Carpenter interviews Allen Hershkowitz, Founding Director of Sport and Sustainability International and former Green Sports Alliance President and Founder, and Catherine Kummer, Senior Director of NASCAR Green Innovation. Together they explore the idea of marrying the popularity and influence of professional sports with the movement of environmental sustainability and how the business of sports can move public opinion and consumer behaviors. In this episode, be inspired by sports business leaders who understand that environmentally intelligent behavior makes for good and profitable business.   Key takeaways: [1:38] Allen Hershkowitz career briefing. [4:34] Connecting Sports with Environmental issues. [5:55] Beginnings of NBA Green and NHL Green. [6:22] Soccer and other sports joined too and started the Green Sports Alliance. [8:45] Educating people about smart environmentally behavior through sports. [8:58] Meeting with the Vatican, Sports at the Service of Humanity. [14:05] Challenges in the environmental movement. [16:48] Brand loyalty regarding sports teams. [18:53] Climate change is not good for sports. [19:28] Educate fans about what they can do. [25:56] Catherine Kummer (NASCAR) [26:48] NASCAR and sustainability. [28:35] The NASCAR Green team. [29:30] How sponsorship relates to the Green program in NASCAR. [33.53] NASCAR’s fans beliefs about sustainability. [40:03] Stories about the big hero environmentalists of NASCAR.   Mentioned in this episode: Join SandSI MLB Greening Program NASCAR Green Vatican’s Sport at the Service to Humanity Green Sports Alliance NBA Green NFL Green Follow More Than Money  

In this episode, Dawn Carpenter explores the idea of food deserts and how important grocery stores are to the health of a community. Police advocate, Atif Bostic of Uplift and entrepreneur Jeff Brown of ShopRite, educate listeners about the problems with food deserts in the United States and inspire with real stories of how to solve one of America’s most fundamental public health challenges. Listen to this episode to learn more about the sobering reality of many Americans as well as the successful business strategies develop to combat the problem, straight some of the leading visionaries in this work   Key takeaways: [1:38] Atif Bostic career briefing. [3:27] What are food deserts? [4:22] What are the trends of food deserts? [6:55] Food deserts in the United States. [7:35] Goals of the work of Uplift. [8:25] Financing role in food deserts and why supermarkets don’t go there. [9:34] What does it mean to live in a food desert? [11:55] Success in the projects addressing food desert challenge. [14:50] Jeff Brown career briefing. [15:22] ShopRite and Brown’s Super Stores. [16:58] Economics of grocery stores. [19:12] What makes ShopRite successful in the communities where it is? [21:26] Operating challenges to overcoming problem depend on dynamics of local community. [22:32] Employee aspect of the business. [25:10] What Brown’s Super Stores is most proud of as a contribution to the community.   Mentioned in this episode: Uplift Uplift on Instagram Uplift on Facebook CDFI Fund at US Department of Treasury ShopRite and Brown’s Super stores Brown’s Super Stores on Facebook Brown’s Super Stores on Twitter Follow More Than Money  

More Than Money Season 2 Preview

In this episode, listeners are introduced to Ted Chandler, Chief Operating Officer of the AFL-CIO's Housing Investment Trust who explains the transformative power of putting labor's assets to work... in more ways than one.  Ted shares insights into a new project that the HIT calls Midwest At Work, an over $1 billion project to help revitalize some of the Midwest's most challenged communities.  The conversation continues with Tom Croft, co-author of a recently-released book entitled the Responsible Investor Handbook.  Tom shares with our listeners the long, rich history of strategic investments from labor.  Continue the conversation on the Off the Air Conversations page of the More than Money website.

In this episode, listeners meet Mindy Lubber, President and founding board member of Ceres, an organization mobilizing many of the wold's largest investors and companies to take stronger action on climate change, water scarcity, and other global sustainability issues.  Mindy shares the story of how Ceres got started and tells us about the important work being done now.  Part of this work includes the creation and direction of the Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR)-- a group of 120 institutional investors managing more than $15 trillion in assets focused on the business risks of climate change-- because, in the end, sustainability IS the bottom line.  Continue the conversation on the Off the Air Conversations page of the More than Money website.

In this episode, listeners are introduced to the challenge of affordable housing with Brian Dowling the Senior Vice President of Community Investments at CDT, America's first affordable housing REIT.  Brian shares with our listeners the importance that housing plays in the development and maintenance of stable communities-- reminding us that without stable communities none of us flourish.  The conversation continues with Susanne Slater, the CEO of DC Habitat for Humanity and the Chairman of the Board of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development and the District of Columbia's $100 million affordable housing production trust fund.  Susanne talks about the seriousness of pervasive shortage of "workforce" housing and talks about the importance that home ownership plays in the creation of family wealth.  Continue the conversation on the Off the Air Conversations page of the More than Money podcast.

In this episode, listeners are introduced to the story of A Yard and a Half Landscaping Company through a conversation with former Harvard Divinity student Carolyn Edsell-Vetter who discusses how a successful family-owned business is transformed into a worker cooperative.  The conversation continues with Yuri Reyes, an immigrant from El Salvador, who serves as the President of the Cooperative.  Keep the conversation going on the Off the Air Conversation page of the More than Money website.

In this episode, listeners meet Dr. Katrin Kaeufer from the MIT CoLab. Katarin shares with our listeners the conclusions from research geared at helping mission-oriented organizations and business hire employees that share their values and have a passion for the mission.  The conversation continues with the addition of John Allen the Vice President fo People Solutions at Vancity, Canada's largest member-owned financial institution who tells us how he finds people who are passionate about the idea to "make good money."  Continue the conversation on the Off the Air Conversations page of the More than Money website.

In this episode, listeners meet New York Times business reporter Alexandra Stevenson to talk about her research into the efforts of the nation's largest institutional investors to influence corporate governance policies.  The conversation continues with a discussion with Donna Anderson, the Vice President and Global Corporate Governance Analyst for T.Rowe Price who discusses her role in leading the company's engagement efforts with portfolio companies.  To continue the conversation, join us on the Off the Air Conversation page on the More than Money website.

In this episode, listeners are introduced to the concept of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) through a conversation with the CEO of Capital Impact Partners, Ellis Carr.  Ellis explains the niche served by CDFIs and the import role they play throughout the country in bringing capital investment into under-served communities.  The conversation continues with a discuss two executives from Axis Community Health in California-- Sue Compton (CEO) and Valarie Jonas (Chief Development Officer).  Axis recently completed a significant expansion of its services through a partnership with Capital Impact Partners.  Continue the conversation on the Off the Air Conversation page on the More than Money website.