Strategic Impact Partners

Calling all entrepreneurs and early-stage ventures seeking capital: There's no better gathering in the mid-Atlantic region for connecting to resources of all kinds, especially investors, than the oldest event in the U.S. that introduces entrepreneurs to capital markets operators and their influencers. It's the 28th annual Angel Venture Fair held at the historic Union League in Center City Philadelphia, taking place this year on Friday, December 13. The event is also the largest gathering of its kind for the mid-Atlantic region. Meet angel investors, family office principals, corporate VC's, early-stage VC's, entrepreneurs and a host of the best trusted advisory professionals working in the innovation economy (like us, Strategic Impact Partners!). To apply as an entrepreneur or register to attend, go here: https://rb.gy/ofddng. #vc #venturecapital #angels #angelinvestors #innovation #innovationeconomy #phillyinnovation #angelventurefair

From SIP Managing Partner Art Stewart: The "death of ESG" continues. Latest stats (facts, metrics) from the G&A (Governance and Accountability) Institute on VOLUNTEER conformance by companies globally, as substantiated from their recent reporting activity: 99% of the S&P 500 and 93% of the Russell 1000 issued sustainability or corporate responsibility reports during 2023. 55% said they are aligned with GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) standards (that's 66% of the S&P 500, compared to 42% of the bottom half of the Russell 1000). 86% said they are aligned with SASB standards (93% of the S&P 500, compared to 78% of the bottom half of the Russell 1000). 71% said they are aligned with TCFD recommendations (83% of the S&P 500, compared to 58% of the bottom half of the Russell 1000). 56% said they are aligned with Sustainable Development Goals. 56% responded to the CDP Climate Change questionnaire (74% of the S&P 500, compared to 39% of the bottom half of the Russell 1000). 48% of the Russell 1000 included a type of external assurance. I guess some deaths take longer than others.

Our growing podcast series What Matters Most! features unvarnished, substantive discussions on significant issues leaders need insights on right now. We're on a march to push back on the dysfunction inherent in status quo thinking (protectionism) and B.S. overflow to examine real solutions at the new convergence of business and profitability, conscious leadership, stakeholder empowerment, and public interest values. Leaders for the next horizon expect nothing less and we aim to help deliver. Check out our latest episode and join us as we amass a collective for a new vibration of leadership across the organization spectrum: YouTube - https://shorturl.at/Sfe6j Spotify - https://shorturl.at/yJBKp Rumble - https://lnkd.in/epGDeysj

Our latest episode of What Matters Most! couldn't be more timely. Full conversation on our YouTube Channel: https://lnkd.in/eq3WKVdb Cybersecurity at the Crossroads: Leveling Up for Next Generation Leadership. Join Art Stewart as he moderates the first of a two-part extended conversation on the current state of the cybersecurity-risk management profession. With our panel of distinguished women executive leaders, representing a range of experience and expert perspective, we take an unvarnished look at the current state of the profession. In particular we examine how diversity, knowledge, and skills gaps are contributing to the mix of existential security threats for Boards and the public or private companies they govern. (This episode was recorded before the current CrowdStrike incident.) Our guests: Catherine Allen – independent Board director; Founder, Santa Fe Group; former Citigroup executive; Advisory Board, Women Corporate Directors and Executive Women’s Forum; and NACD "100 Most Influential Directors" (2018). Lynn Terwoerds – independent board director; Advisory Board, Executive Women's Forum; previous executive leadership roles at Microsoft, Barclays PLC, and Oracle Health Sciences. Mary Chaney, Esq. – CEO and President, Minorities in Cybersecurity; Founder and CEO, MiC Talent Solutions, Inc.; former leadership roles at Comcast, J&J, and GE Capital; former Special Agent, FBI. Tameka Foster – governance, risk, and compliance specialist; previous executive leadership roles at Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, and E&Y; former Senior Auditor, VF Corporation. #esg #boarddirector #cybersecurity #riskmanagement #chiefriskofficer #boardriskcommittee #artstewart #corporategovernance

If you enjoyed the recently posted LinkedIn short version, you'll love how Dan and Art go at it during the full length conversation. Watch it on our YouTube Channel: https://lnkd.in/e7Qhat3g #humancapital #humanresources #worklifebloom #impact #danpontefract #artstewart #culture #leadership #esg

Not all of the shakeup in 'ESG World' is as ominous as it appears these days. Pushback in key areas like technology and its unintended role as a co-dependent in facilitating the greenwashing reveal, investor claw back, and industry de-construction was clearly overdue. Now the right tech visionaries say they have the advanced ESG data capabilities needed; they've got 'the fix'. Ben Webster, CEO and Doug Young, Managing Director of OWL-ESG join Art Stewart for a frank reflection on how we got here and the exciting breakout opportunity moment new tech delivers right now. Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eFxN8MSs

If anyone can speak to where we find ourselves right now regarding the ‘new world order’ of employee engagement, workforce productivity and fulfillment, and evolving organization culture it’s Dan Pontefract. No stranger to these social media parts, Dan is a successful author, speaker, and consultant with expertise in leadership, organization culture, and human capital. He doesn’t mince words when it comes to what he views as the farce of “work-life balance”. And, of course, neither do we. That’s why we needed to invite him on for an episode of What Matters Most! to have a get-real conversation about the current state of human capital – from the people perspective. Recently Art Stewart sat down with Dan to get his current perspective and learn more from the research findings in his most recent book, Work-Life Bloom, which has now been recognized as a Thinkers50 “Top New Management Book for 2024” and a Gold Medal recipient from the Axiom Business Book Awards. For the full conversation, click to our YouTube Channel: https://lnkd.in/e7Qhat3g #humancapital #corporateculture #organizationdesign #leadership #humanresources #worklifebalance #esg #csr #impact

Encouraging data coming out of the newly released 2024 Deloitte "ESG in M&A" trends survey - and more fodder for the anti-Impact/anti-Integrity movement to digest: According to the survey, "across the deal life cycle, better data, improved measurement, and a deeper understanding of ESG are key factors shaping dealmaking for M&A leaders." Deloitte reports that "almost three-quarters (74%) of companies say they have evaluated their portfolios or investments from an ESG perspective when acquiring or searching for acquisition targets, and almost as many (67%) say the same about their divestiture strategies." The mere substantiation that ESG's role in new value creation and improved risk management is more than "just a factor" in M&A strategy should cause private market operators to pause. The survey reveals that ESG is becoming a rationale for which deals are sought out by suitors in the first place. So why do private market operators need to pause? Because this trend is at the heart of their growth and eventual exit options, particularly for private B2B middle market companies (including family O&O entities). Many private companies and family businesses pursue 'preferred supplier' status with large multinationals, enabling the multinational to become a chief customer by sourcing the private company's products and innovation while also creating a future avenue for their best case acquisition. And multinationals have long been required to take Impact-Integrity-ESG seriously as not only a competitive advantage but a legal, regulatory, or other requirement for their 'license to operate' in overseas markets. Naturally, any supplier or M&A target must align with the multinational's ESG commitments to even be on their supplier or acquisition radar. Sort of the chickens coming home to roost. It seems timely to revisit Art Stewart's October article from Private Company Director, which was re-published in February by NxtGen Nexus, our friends serving the next generation of family business leaders: https://shorturl.at/EDjFj #familybusiness #privatecompanies #familyoffices #privateequity #boards #CEOs #ESG

SIP's Winchendon Grows client is poised to unlock the next-gen in diversified wholesale production by redefining operational sustainability with a new P&L model that brings the cost basis down to $260 lbs...

Gut Check - Perspective Revisited: For Professional Services, Disruption by Nature Now? Professional services firms enjoy unique competitive advantages over other types of businesses – yet at the same time have particular challenges in how they must execute their growth strategies. In one way their services are, by nature, intangible. In another, they offer ‘products’ that are essential to the functionality of their clients’ businesses. Almost ten years ago, our thinking rang with what sounds still too familiar: The most growth-centric professional services firms strive to continuously operate in response to what clients are really buying: trust (reliance and assurance), intelligence (specialized information and knowledge), and customized expertise (contextual experience and perspective). It takes a lot of work. These assets are the currency of value creation for professional services teams. To effectively sell them requires highly-sophisticated strategies that leverage a nuanced mix of integrity, credibility and results. Meanwhile, the restructuring of the profession's traditional business models continues amidst a long yet dramatic shift in how clients orientate to legal issues in the broad mix of their strategic business imperatives. Improved conditions have been baked in at infrastructure level. Ambitious trusted advisory (e.g., law) firms can rethink their market approach and their positioning to better ensure durable leadership through the volatile and less unpredictable context of now. https://lnkd.in/eNhKBdSK #leadership #privatecompany #privatecapital #familyenterprise #VC #privateequity #privatecogovernance #boardofdirectors