On Monday, September 14, 2026, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York hosted a hybrid event, in partnership with The Social Finance Institute and the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at Chicago Booth, on impact-first investing.
Impact-first investments seek the highest possible social impact, while aiming to preserve capital and deliver a modest financial return. Speakers discussed the considerations involved when matching the means of investment to a particular challenge. The program also featured a demonstration of a new tool to measure the potential impact and financial implications of incorporating impact-first investments into charitable giving strategies.
The event was of interest to investors, academics, and leaders in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors.
WATCH THE EVENT
Event Details
September 14, 2026
3:30pm-5:00pm
(Coffee and networking preceded event; reception followed.)
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
33 Liberty Street
New York, NY
This event was open to the public.
This event was open to the media. All remarks were on the record, with the recording to be made available afterwards. Media who wished to attend registered by contacting Ellen Simon at Ellen.Simon@ny.frb.org.
Agenda
Agenda
| 3:30pm-3:40pm | Welcome (00:00:09)
Otho Kerr, Director of Community Impact Investing, Federal Reserve Bank of New York |
| 3:40pm-3:55pm | Introduction: Impact-First Investing Explained (00:04:45)
Kirstin Hill, President & COO, Social Finance |
| 3:55pm-4:35pm | Panel Discussion on Impact First Investing (00:15:15)
Moderator: Otho Kerr, Director of Community Impact Investing, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Amon Anderson, Co-Managing Partner, Acumen America Pia Desai, Executive Director, Samvid Ventures Lucas Ramirez, Chief Financial Officer, Grameen America Stephen Vicinelli, Managing Director, Impact Investments, Social Finance |
| 4:35pm-4:55pm | Live Interactive Demonstration of the Impact First Investment Tool (01:06:05)
Karen Anderson, Managing Director, The Social Finance Institute Daniel Buckman, Tarrson Fellow, Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation, University of Chicago Booth School of Business David Socolow, Head of Policy, The Social Finance Institute |
| 4:55pm-5:00pm | Closing Remarks (01:27:00) Otho Kerr, Director of Community Impact Investing, Federal Reserve Bank of New York |
Speakers
Co-Managing Partner
Acumen America
Managing Director
The Social Finance Institute
Tarrson Fellow, Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Executive Director
Samvid Ventures
President & COO
Social Finance
Director of Community Impact Investing
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Chief Financial Officer
Grameen America
Head of Policy
The Social Finance Institute
Managing Director, Impact Investments
Social Finance
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