Pioneers and Changemakers – Podcasts from TriLinc Global

Pioneers and Changemakers – Podcasts from TriLinc Global

by Gloria Nelund
Season 1
Aligning Your Values With Your Portfolio
Can your investments generate competitive returns and help create meaningful change at the same time? In this episode, TriLinc Global CEO Gloria Nelund speaks with Dr. Lisette Cooper, Vice Chair of Fiduciary Trust International and founder and former CEO of Athena Capital Advisors, for an engaging conversation about career reinvention, entrepreneurship, impact investing, and the power investors have to influence change. Dr. Cooper share the unconventional path that took her from studying isotope geochemistry at Harvard to a career on Wall Street and ultimately to building Athena Capital into a multi-billion dollar investment firm. Along the way she offers lessons on taking risks, learning from the people around you, embracing pivots, and having the confidence to dream big. Gloria and Lisette also explore how impact investing has evolved, from helping investors align their portfolios with their values to pursuing market-rate opportunities across areas such as financial inclusion, climate adaptation, fintech, and the energy transition. They also examine another powerful tool available to investors : shareholder engagement. Dr. Cooper shares a remarkable example of how a relatively small investment position helped mobilize billions of dollars in shareholder support and contributed to meaningful corporate action around online child safety. It’s a conversation about what becomes possible when investors bring together financial discipline, personal values, and a willingness to act, and a reminder that creating meaningful changes doesn’t always require being the biggest investor in the room. Listen now to Aligning Your Values With Your Portfolio podcast to hear why Dr. Cooper’s advice is simple : don’t be afraid to pivot, dream big, and ask yourself “ What’s yours to do?”
The Architecture of Integrity – Moving from Intent to Impact
Looking for an in-depth conversation on integrity, impact and the future of private capital? Join Gloria Nelund, Founder & CEO of TriLinc Global as she interviews Tim Macready, Founder and Head of Global Advisory at Brightlight. Brightlight. seeks to help clients align investments with their values through purposeful and values-based investing. Drawing from decades of leadership across global finance, actuarial science and impact investing, Gloria and Tim explore how institutions can move beyond intention and toward measurable transformation. Together they discuss: Why impact investing must go deeper than marketing language Why emerging markets require long-term, boots-on-the- ground commitment The role of debt and credit as catalysts for community transformation Why market-rate returns and social impact are not competing goals, but connected outcomes. This episode is for investors, business leaders, policymakers and anyone interested in the future of impact, leadership, and human flourishing. “Integrity is not an intention. It is an architecture."
Investing with Purpose, Impact and Faith
Welcome to Investing with Purpose, Impact and Faith a conversation at the intersection of capital, conviction, and calling. In this podcast, Gloria Nelund, CEO and Founder of TriLinc Global speaks with Robin C John, CEO and Co-Founder of Eventide, to explore how faith and deeply held values can shape not only our personal lives, but the way we invest, lead, and build businesses. Together they discuss the founding story behind Eventide, a company born not from a conventional business plan, but from an act of faith and a vision for investing that serves people and communities with purpose. The podcast dives into the principles behind values-based investing: supporting companies that strengthen communities, create dignified jobs and contribute to human flourishing. Robin C John share how Eventides ethical framework goes beyond simply avoiding harm, focusing instead on activity investing in businesses that create lasting good. You’ll also hear reflections on leadership, integrity, and the challenge of integrating faith within a secular financial industry. From navigating difficult decisions to staying true to a founding mission, Investing with Purpose, Impact, and Faith offers insight for investors, entrepreneurs and leaders seeking to align purpose with practice. Join us as we explore the future of purpose-driven investing and what it means to invest, not only for returns, but for impact, virtue, and lasting value.
The Impact Revolution Is Here (Part Two)
In this compelling second half of The Impact Revolution Is Here, host Gloria Nelund ( CEO & Founder of TriLinc Global) continues the conversation with Merivia co-founders Ludo Federici and Conor Stayton, leaders at the forefront of AI-native sustainability infrastructure. As the global economy grapples with data decay and fragmented systems, Merivia is building the foundation for a new, integrated data ecosystem, one that connects financial and non-financial insights in a way that truly drive decision-making. This episode features a deep dive with special guest Nicolette Van Exel, CEO of Excel Impact who unpacks five critical forces shaping the future of impact and sustainability: The fragmentation of data infrastructure and the challenge of turning data from a compliance burden into a strategic tool The erosion of trust and the urgent need for ethics in AI-driven reporting The evolution beyond ESG toward embedded business measurement and financial risk assessment A global pivot from climate disclosure toward nature, biodiversity, and the blue economy Major geopolitical shifts with momentum moving toward emerging markets across Africa, India, and South America With additional insights from Max Lynch, former Sustainability & Impact Manager at TriLinc Global ( and Founder of Project Neptune), the conversation highlights how Merivia is taking a bottom-up approach, building systems that bridge the gap between real-world impact and financial performance. At the heart of it all lies a simple truth: accountability depends on data and better systems are no longer optional. Tune in to explore how the next generation of impact infrastructure is being built, and why the revolution in underway.
The Impact Revolution Is Here (Part One)
The Impact Revolution Is Here is a forward-looking podcast hosted by Gloria Nelund, Founder and CEO of TriLinc Global, exploring a future where impact data is reliable, accessible, and trusted as financial data. In a world where trillions of dollars are deployed toward social and environmental outcomes, one challenge remains: how do we truly measure impact? This series brings together leading voices across impact investing, technology, and sustainability to unpack the systems, tools, and ideas shaping the next era of transparent, data-driven impact. In Part One of this podcast, TriLinc CEO Gloria Nelund is joined by Ludo Federici and Conor Stayton, founders of Merivia, a San Francisco-based pioneer in AI-native sustainability infrastructure. Together, they explore the growing problem of “data decay” where critical impact data is fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to trust, and how Merivia is building the foundation for a new data ecosystem. From transforming unstructured portfolio data into standardized, benchmarkable insights, to enabling clearer communications with investors, donors, and stakeholders, Merivia’s approach is redefining how impact is measured and shared. Built on three core pillars, data collection, standardization, and aggregation, Merivia’s platform leverages private surveys, web-sourced data, and intelligent scoring frameworks to help organizations quantify and communicate the real outcomes of their work. Featuring additional perspectives from Max Lynch ( Founder of Project Neptune and former ESG & Impact Manager at TriLinc Global) and Nicolette Van Exel ( CEO of Exel Impact), The Impact Revolution Is Here offers a deep dive into the infrastructure powering the future of impact.
Balance and Beyond: From Wall Street to Wellness
Introducing : Balance and Beyond, From Wall Street to Wellness What if the key to success isn’t time management, but ENERGY management? Prepared to be inspired by a powerful new podcast from TriLinc Global. “ Balance and Beyond” takes you on a deep dive into what it truly takes to thrive in every area of your life – physically, mentally, and spiritually – while building a meaningful, purpose-driven career. In this must-listen podcast, we bring together two unlikely connections from the world of high finance : Gloria Nelund, CEO and Founder of TriLinc Global, and from the world of fitness and coaching: Jacques Devore, Founder and CEO of Sirens and Finess. Both honed their risk management and leadership skills on the demanding trading floors of Deutsche Bank. Now, they have channeled those high-stakes lessons into a life of entrepreneurship, service, and profound transformation. Inside this Podcast You Will Discover : How to design a “life portfolio” that compounds over time. The surprising links Gloria and Jacques discovered between leadership, health, and faith. Stories from their demanding Deutsche Bank days and the powerful lessons they learned. The profound reason why strength in body, mind, relationships, and faith is the ultimate fuel for success and joy. Stop surviving and start compounding your fulfillment. Get ready to manage your energy, purpose, and relationships as effectively as any financial portfolio. Listen now to get simple practical takeaways to immediately boost your focus and energy!
The Evolution of Social Impact and Sustainability
The Evolution of Social Impact & Sustainability: What Financial Advisors & Investors Need to Know Move Beyond Buzzwords: Actionable Insights for the Future of Finance. Are social impact and sustainability truly essential for modern portfolio management? Absolutely. They are no longer "feel-good" concepts but crucial factors defining both financial opportunities and risks for investors and advisors today. Tune in to this dynamic, insightful conversation from TriLinc Global featuring two powerhouse voices: Gloria Nelund: CEO & Founder of TriLinc Global, sharing a veteran perspective from private markets investment. Professor Megan Kashner: Director of Social Impact and Sustainability at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, bringing the cutting-edge of academic research and future business leadership. This lively discussion provides clear, actionable insights on how to effectively identify, measure, and integrate social impact and sustainability into investment strategies. Discover how to drive strong financial returns alongside genuine, measurable positive change. Don't miss out on what modern investing truly requires. Tune-in to TriLinc Global's podcast!
The Pulse of Money - Working On Ourselves to Make Money Matter
Making Money Matter: Our newest podcast from TriLinc Global Welcome to a new podcast of Pioneers and Changemakers, a TriLinc Global podcast series! In this episode, we’re diving into the heart of what it means to make money matter. Please join our host, TriLinc Founder and CEO Gloria Nelund, and our special guest, Benjamin Bingham, the founder and CEO of Three Sisters Sustainable Management and Scarab Funds. Mr. Bingham brings a unique perspective, shaped by his family’s history in biodynamic farming, his journey and experience on Wall Street, and a strong spiritual philosophy. Benjamin is also the author of the upcoming book The Pulse of Money: Working on Ourselves to Make Money Matter. Together, Gloria and Benjamin explore how investors can transform their money into a powerful tool for positive change. Listen now to discover how to align your investments with your values, and create real, measurable impact in communities and around the world.
Navigating Today's Dynamic Investment Landscape
Tune in to "Navigating Today's Dynamic Investment Landscape" Join us for an insightful new podcast from TriLinc Global, "Navigating Today's Dynamic Investment Landscape." In this episode, TriLinc Founder and CEO Gloria Nelund sits down with special guest Rita Mansour, Senior Managing Director at Mansour Wealth Management. Rita brings extensive experience advising a wide range of clients, from business owners to institutions. Together, Gloria and Rita dive into crucial conversations about understanding today's market volatility, evolving client expectations, and the current shift towards alternative investments. They'll explore what clients are looking for now, the critical role of communication, and offer valuable insights on diversification, thoughtful risk management, and client-centric approaches to investing in today's environment. Listen now and empower your investment journey!
Investing For A Better Future: A Mid-Year Outlook on Sustainable Investing
Join Gloria Nelund, host, CEO, and Founder of TriLinc Global, as she welcomes Perry Teicher, Impact Finance Counsel at Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe, for a timely discussion on the future of sustainable investing. As a driving force behind Orrick's Global Impact Finance and Investment practice and a leader in their sustainability initiatives, Perry brings unparalleled expertise to the conversation. Together, Gloria and Perry will dissect the current landscape of sustainable investing in 2025, exploring how to effectively integrate social, environmental, and financial outcomes. They'll also review the evolution of impact financing and products, offering observant takeaways to help guide your investment strategies through the second half of 2025. Tune in to discover how you can be part of investing for a better future!
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