2026 Minnesota Impact Investing Institute

Impact investing, alongside the act of grantmaking, is one of philanthropy's most important roles. Impact investing is a central function of many foundations that are interested in making a bigger impact with available resources. 

Join MCF for this day-long conversation about the ins and outs of impact investing.

Designed for impact investors of all stripes – whether you’re just starting your first investment or you’re advanced in the work – this gathering is made for you.

Institute Goals

• Understand the latest trends and creative approaches to impact investing
• Learn about many of the better practices, including time-tested and successful strategies for investing
• Connect and coordinate with peers working in the philanthropic setting 

Institute Agenda

9:30 - 11:00: Registration and Refreshments: If you'll attend the pre-conference session, please arrive before 10:00 a.m. Others may arrive anytime before 11:00 a.m.

10:00 – 10:45: Pre-Conference Learning: Led by Susan Hammel, CFA, Executive in Residence for Impact Investing, Minnesota Council on Foundations, we will dive-in to conversations that will help you explore your first steps and overcome early hurdles of your impact investing actions. For those attending this session, we ask you to watch this video, Impact Investing 101, beforehand. This session is open to all registrants and is especially designed for those who are newer investors and beginners in the impact investing world.

11:00 – 12:00: Morning Keynote: Deploying Capital for Impact: Navigating the Complementary Roles of PRIs and MRIs 

• Melanie Audette, Senior Vice President, Member and Partner Engagement, Mission Investors Exchange
• Christine Looney, Deputy Director of Mission Investments, Ford Foundation

12:00 – 12:45: Peer Conversation Luncheon: Over lunch we'll spend time in conversation with peers, organized by impact investing themes.

1:00 – 1:45: Workshop I: Investing in Urban and Rural Communities

• Shaun Floerke, President / CEO, Boreal Waters Community Foundation
• Michelle Maryns, President, Minnesota Council on Foundations
• Adair Mosley, Chief Executive Officer, GroundBreak Coalition

2:00 – 3:00: Afternoon Keynote: Leading in Place-Based Impact Investing: This conversation will engage two dynamic leaders who are helping to shift national thinking around philanthropic investments. By creating a diverse team with investment expertise, impact knowledge, and local knowledge, they are shifting their organization's culture toward bold investing strategies.

• Shannon O’Leary, Chief Investment Officer, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation
• Casey Shultz, Director of Community and Impact Investing, Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation

3:15 – 4:00: Workshop II: Implementation Through Partners: Who and How?

• Kate Barr, Senior Advisor, Minnesota CDFI Coalition
• Ron Homer, Chief Strategist, US Impact Investing, RBC Global Asset Management 
• Brendon Reay, Managing Director of Investments, Bush Foundation

4:00 – 5:00: Social Hour: Continue the conversation with new peers and old friends. Hosted alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be provided. Sponsored by Faegre Drinker.

Reach out to Paul Masiarchin for further details, [email protected]. In order to create the best in-person experience, this event will not be simulcast. Learn more here.

Thanks to Our Sponsors and Partners

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