Dear NNEWIN’ners!
 

VT WIN Meeting:  Her Story:  Christen Graham of Giving Strong
and
Special guest Jean Hamilton of ShiftMeals
August 18, 2020 from 5:00pm to 6:45pm
via Zoom
Free
 
Christen Graham, president of Giving Strong and steering committee member of Invest for Better will join us to let us know more about the Invest for Better (IFB) Circles that are starting this September. Invest for Better is a nonprofit campaign on a mission to help women demystify impact investing, take control of their capital, and mobilize their money for good. They have created these IFB Circles to support small communities of women who are committed to increasing their personal knowledge and participation in values-aligned and impact investing, and in helping their peers take charge of their assets and make change. Our very own Louisa Schibli will be leading one of these Circles right here in Vermont.

We'll also hear from Jean Hamilton, ShiftMeals Director and WIN member, who will give us a brief presentation on why her team is hosting a series called A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH: WOMXN IN VT’S FOOD SYSTEM and how you can participate. 
 
Agenda for Online Event:

• 5:15pm -  WIN intro and meeting guidelines
• 5:30pm – Her Story: Christen Graham 
• 6:15pm - Time for Q&A
• 6:30pm -  Jean Hamilton
• 6:45pm – Wrap up

 
As always, there will be time for a discussion and sharing ideas.  The meeting is free and open to women, trans-gender and gender non-forming people interested in learning more about how they can invest with their values. 

About Christen Graham:  Christen brought together her head and her heart when she founded Giving Strong. In previous tenures as a journalist, public relations professional and executive, she intentionally incorporated social impact into her work. Christen has worked with pioneers of the Corporate Social Responsibility movement, leading academic institutions, modern foundations and influential media. She has given voice to underserved people and built programs that foster opportunity. Christen advocates for immigrants by serving on the board of ProsperityME, activates women to be impact investors by serving on the steering committee of Invest for Better, and mentors young people as a Fresh Air Fund host. She is a Tufts University graduate.

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH: WOMXN IN VT’S FOOD SYSTEM 
A six-part webinar series highlighting the intersectional experiences of Womxn and Femmes in all facets of the Vermont food system, from seed to hands. 
  
ShiftMeals was launched as a response to the catastrophic shortcomings of the globalized food system, as revealed by COVID-19. This crisis has put a spotlight on the harm caused by inequitable systems to womxn, communities of color, the LBGTQIA+ community, and the working class. As part of ShiftMeals' relief and response work, we are hosting this series of conversations to honor the strength of Womxn and Femmes growing food, creating community space, healing, reimagining, and advocating for community-led food systems.
 
Learn more and register below  Once you register, we’ll send you a Zoom link for the meeting.  And, feel free to bring a drink, snacks and your curiosity. 

If you have questions or need more information, feel free to contact  us at vermontwin@gmail.com

 

Access to Capital for Women Entrepreneurs and the Importance of Women Angel Investors in These Challenging Times
Sept.16, 2020 12-1:30 pm
NH Signature Virtual Zoom Meeting
Free

This virtual event provides opportunities to learn about Angel Investing strategies and opportunities from several women angels and entrepreneurs during these challenging times. The event features Liz Sara, Chair of the National Women’s Business Council, followed by a panel of two experienced Woman Angel Investors and 2 Entrepreneurs who will share their stories. 

 

Presented by Stella Labs and Ad Astra Ventures, Women’s Venture Summit (WVS) is an annual intensive event that brings together female founders and funders from across the globe. Information and connections shared at the leading-edge event help women build, operate, and scale businesses, and provide women with the tools needed to become investors. At WVS, experts from both sides of the investment table converge to share best practices, essential tips, and lessons learned. Binational, local and global resources are shared – and discussions cover startup trends and hot topics around gender investing.

Join us for the 7th annual Women’s Venture Summit, a two-day virtual event experience like none other. Our agenda is packed with exciting speakers, topics, and a live Fast Pitch Competition where YOU get to cast your vote.

 

Her Story: Tory Dietel Hopps 
September 29th, 2020 5:00-6:30pm
Zoom
Free

Our 9/29 meeting will feature Tory Dietel Hopps:  Her Story. Tory, of Cumberland Center, Maine, is the Managing Partner of Dietel and Partners, a shared family philanthropic office which grew out of the Dietel family's collective experience in the giving and receiving sides of philanthropy.  She’ll tell her story of her commitment to leave her ‘pale male’ family advisor and find someone who would not fight her on activating her own money and what’s she’s doing to help clients invest and give with their values. 

Her Story: Deborah Frieze of Boston Impact Initiative and co-author of "Walk Out Walk On"
October
Zoom

Her Story: Sandra Stone of Maine Angels & Dirigo Angel Fund
November
Zoom

Her Story: Casey Johnson of RSF Social Finance
December
Zoom

Women Entrepreneurs: Foundational to Economic Recovery
Investing in women is imperative to economic recovery.

Next Wave’s Investor Education series
Self paced videos on getting started with direct investing. Next Wave is a movement driving impact, diversity and inclusion in early stage investing and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Deb Nelson of RSF Social Finance on Activating Money for Good

Project Sage 3.0: Key Insights from the Latest Gender Lens Investing Report 
Much like the larger umbrella of impact investing, gender lens investing — investing to generate financial returns and a positive impact on women — continues to grow. Exactly how big is this field, and how fast is it growing?

Women on Top: Women & Wealth and Social Change (book)
Research for the book reveals that women do want their investment dollars to change the world. However, anecdotal experience, confirmed by various outside research sources, shows there is a significant gap between women's motivations and their actions as it relates to putting their money where their mouth is. Moddasser aims to close that gap by introducing the role of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) investing.

"I've met exactly zero women who feel rich," explains Moddasser. "The truth is, as a group, women today own most of the nation's wealth – somewhere between 60 and 67 percent. This represents a $20 trillion opportunity to influence change. Unfortunately, boomer women, who are the primary stewards of this wealth, aren't being educated about strategies for investing their assets in accordance with their values."

Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing The World (book) by Anand Giridharadas

Decolonizing Wealth (book) by Edgar Villanueva

 

The Vermont Women’s Investor Network (WIN) supports all women, trans and gender non-conforming investors in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Vermont. Our long-term goals include pooling skills, expertise, and capital to fund women and trans entrepreneurs and business owners to create positive environmental and social impact while generating a financial return.

VT WIN STEERING COMMITTEE
Laury Saligman, laury@vernalventures.org
Janice St. Onge, Flexible Capital Fund: janice@flexiblecapitalfund.com
Louisa Schibli, Milk Money VT: louisa@milkmoneyvt.com

Disclaimer:  The Vermont Women’s Investors Network (VT WIN) is not for solicitation of professional services. VT WIN is not an investment advisor, financial advisor, broker/dealer or other type of advisor or fiduciary.  VT WIN is not affiliated with the companies attending VT WIN meetings, and does not endorse, effectuate investment in or recommend the securities of any of the companies attending.