HPP Episode 44 - The Changing Face of Investing with Lisa Cooper

Kevin talks with Lisa Cooper of Figure 8 Investment Strategies, a group that brings a multicultural perspective to financial advice and investment management. Lisa describes her purpose as creating positive social change through business. Business is potentially a really powerful tool – it’s all about learning how to use it to create positive change. Figure 8 helps people meet their financial goals, while using their investments to positively impact others.

• Lisa tells the story of how a group of nuns helped her start her career, and what it was like getting into investing with purpose at a time when socially conscious business wasn’t a very common idea.
• Lisa describes her purpose as creating positive social change through business. Business is potentially a really powerful tool – it’s all about learning how to use it to create positive change. Figure 8 helps people meet their financial goals, while using their investments to positively impact others.
• What does it mean for a workplace to be intentionally diverse? And what are the benefits of that for a business or investing group? Lisa shares how diversity has helped Figure 8 refine and achieve their impact.
• Some firms use an “asset test” – a minimum asset level for clients of the firm. Figure 8 strives to help everyone with their investments – not just the 1%.
• How could a refugee support organization turn into a financial investment group? Lisa tells the story of her past working with refugees, and how bringing those voices onto her team has improved Figure 8’s global perspective.
• The risk of not doing something is often not weighed in our decision-making process. We think, “what if I do this and I fail?” without considering the negative impact of not trying at all. Lisa shares some words of inspiration for people starting out on a new business, project or enterprise.
• To learn more about Figure 8, go to https://figure8investing.com.
• If you or someone you know is interested in bringing the benefits of impact investing to your enterprise, let us know! Email Kevin at kevin@higherpurposepodcast.com.

An Extraordinary ExperimentThank-you for listening to this episode of the Higher Purpose Podcast. Remember, if you ever think that your work could be less ordinary, there’s not much between you and something extraordinary. Just 13 weeks, and a bold experiment. Find out more!