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Confluence Philanthropy's 14th Annual Practitioners Gathering
 

Governance Track

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The Governance track explores the planning and execution of investment strategies—from active ownership to underpinning the legalities and decision-making processes for values-based investors. Join us Wednesday morning for the Annual Active Owners Working Group Breakfast as well as a selection of small sessions themed around aligning governance with values.

Creating a Healthy Decision-Making Culture (Tuesday, February 25th | 2:00 PM)
Organized with Syntrinsic Investment Counsel 

Historically, foundations have siloed the management of their investments and their grant-making, effectively relegating the expression of mission to just 5% of the endowment. The past decade, however, has seen an uptick in the push for foundation boards and investment committees to consider a more synergistic and impactful deployment of their full weight and resources. Guided by advisors steeped in this dialogue, this session will explore the building blocks of fostering a healthy decision-making board culture that nurtures critical discussion and enables the emergence of shared values toward the alignment of mission and fiduciary responsibility.

Speakers:

  • Ben Valore-Caplan, Chief Executive Officer, Syntrinsic Investment Counsel (Moderator)

  • Susan Dorsey, VP for Finance and Administration, Gates Family Foundation

  • Kristi Petrie, Executive Director, AJL Foundation

  • Bill Repplinger, CFO, General Service Foundation

Practicum for Public Equities (Tuesday, February 25th | 3:00 PM)
Organized with Zevin Asset Management

Whether the issue is climate change, poor labor standards, or racial equity, finding alignment between foundations’ investment portfolios and their grantmaking missions is often challenging. In this session, participants will learn about divestment and engagement strategies to move companies away from socially and environmentally damaging practices. The group will explore questions key to all foundations: What do we own? Where should we divest or invest? How can we use our investor voice and influence to move the economy away from harm to people and planet, and towards regeneration? Participants will analyze a model stock portfolio and identify troubling companies and sectors, using example frames provided by the facilitator to screen company lists. Then they will discuss impactful stock portfolio strategies, deciding between divestment, shareholder advocacy, or a blended approach.

Speakers:

  • Sonia Kowal, President, Zevin Asset Management (Moderator)

  • Tim Dunn, Chief Investment Officer and Founder, Terra Alpha Investments LLC

  • Lisa Hayles, Vice President of Institutional Investment Services, Boston Common Asset Management

Active Owners Breakfast | Secrets in the Islands: Predatory Money in the Caribbean (Wednesday, February 26th | 8:00 AM)
Organized with The Ocean Foundation and the Active Owners Steering Committee

Predatory capital is hidden in offshore accounts across the Caribbean. Among these types of holdings, hedge funds count foundations, endowments, foreign governments, and central banks as part of their clientele. Perhaps unwitting to investors, some have speculated in Puerto Rico’s debt and forced policy changes in their financial favor. As just one example, the bet against Puerto Rico cost lives. This panel will explore these dangerously damaging practices and what investors can do to protect their values and bring dark money to light.

Speakers:

  • Mark Spalding, President, Ocean Foundation and Confluence Board Chair (moderator)

  • Myrna Rivera, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Consultiva Internacional Inc. (“Consultiva”)

  • Edward Tillinghast, Board Member , Ocean Foundation

Empowering Gatekeepers to Unlock Capital (Wednesday, February 26th | 2:15 PM)
Organized with Bonwood Foundation

In group discussion we will identify the barriers to values aligned movement of money with brainstorm and role play. There are no wrong answers! Next, we will imagine how we lower those barriers to create a marketplace where asset owners readily participate as empowered investors. Then, stepping forward into pragmatic action we will identify ways in which we can work with partners to bring this vision to life.

Speakers:

  • Catherine Burnett, Chief Impact Officer, Phillips Foundation

  • Matt Patsky, CEO, Trillium Asset Management

  • Eric Stephenson, Director of Client Service, Align Impact