Philadelphia is home to the first regional hub of Invest for Better (IFB), a national nonprofit empowering women to align their money with their values. Cohorts of 8-20 women meet over 7 sessions of peer-led learning circles. We help women step into their financial power by learning about investing, investment options, sharing experiences, and supporting each other in becoming confident, values-aligned, investors.
The https://investforbetter.org/philly/, developed in partnership with ImpactPHL in 2022 has been hosting circles across the Philadelphia region to understand, steward, and activate women’s assets in service of their values – strengthening personal confidence, community connection, and the local impact investing ecosystem. Nearly 150 participants have completed the first 9 circles and joined the alumni network over the past 4 years.
Join us for this webinar as Vanessa Lowe, a member of the national Invest for Better (IFB) Steering Committee, shares the IFB curriculum and the impact of her experience with IFB. You'll also hear from local Philly leaders, Jodie Harris and Helen Horstmann-Allen, about the impact of their learning and leadership since joining the IFB community. Margaret Berger Bradley, leader of the Invest for Better Philadelphia hub will close out the session with details on how to get involved in the Philly Hub.
Speakers
Jodie Harris
President , PIDC
Bringing more than 30 years of experience in economic and community development, Jodie has dedicated her career to driving meaningful, sustainable, and equitable economic growth, especially in historically underserved communities. As president of PIDC, Jodie works with the organization’s partners at the City of Philadelphia and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce—along with stakeholders in the business, civic, and philanthropic communities—to drive inclusive economic growth, vitality, and opportunity to every corner and zip code of Philadelphia. Jodie previously served in a variety of roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, most recently as the Director of the CDFI Fund. While her work at the Treasury Department crossed several sectors, Jodie has long focused on initiatives that expand access to capital, community development finance and financial inclusion. Prior to her work in government, Jodie held various roles related to community economic development and empowerment from the very beginning of her career, including as a community development credit analyst before expanding her portfolio by working in the private sector as a strategic planning consultant and as a social policy research analyst. Jodie is a native of Philadelphia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and international business from the University of Maryland and has earned and MBA and MPA from New York University.
Margaret Berger Bradley
Principal , Ginger Root Strategy
For over 25 years, Margaret has been dedicated to finding that powerful sweet spot where finance, economic development, and social purpose meet. Margaret is a seasoned advisor and strategic thinker who loves helping align capital with mission to create meaningful, lasting change. As Principal of Ginger Root Strategy, she now partners with clients to build the smart, inclusive strategies that lead to vibrant economic growth. Margaret worked for many years at the Reinvestment Fund, was the founding director of the regional Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative, and was then with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA through 2024. She founded the first ever regional hub of Invest for Better to grow a community of women who build their financial acumen and align investment with their values (investforbetter.org/philly). Margaret is a founding board member and Treasurer of ImpactPHL, a ten-year old regional alliance committed to growing the impact investing ecosystem in the Philadelphia region.
Helen Horstmann-Allen
Founding Member, Invest for Better Philadelphia
Helen Horstmann-Allen is a radical optimist, civic connector, longtime tech entrepreneur and founding member of Invest for Better Philadelphia. At Invest for Better Philadelphia, she has led 4 of their 10 cohorts to date, helping women see themselves as investors and their money as a tool to make change. Helen currently works at The Merchants Fund, and serves on the board at Represent PA and WOMENS WAY.
Moderator
Vanessa Lowe
VLL Consulting and Financial Education
Vanessa Lowe is a steering committee member for Invest for Better and served as a consultant on their Shifting Wealth, Shaping Futures curriculum update focusing on Black women. She spent 21 years in federal service supporting access to capital for underserved communities. She’s engaged in impact investing since 2005 after joining her denomination’s national endowment committee. Her faith-based service led to more than $4M of investment into Black and Native led community investment funds. She advocates for Decolonizing Wealth and 100% mission alignment for foundations and endowments. She’s served as a trustee for the Valentine Foundation, the Merchants Fund, and, most recently, the Philadelphia Green Capital Corporation. She hosts Vanessa’s Money Hour talk show and podcast, and the Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition’s monthly forum, Financing Philadelphia’s Future. She holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Chartered Financial Counselor (ChFC©) designation.