Francisco is assistant professor of Forest Economics, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri. He holds a Ph.D. in Forest Products, Marketing and Economics from LSU. His experience includes working with an NGO supporting low-income communities in his native Ecuador, participating in a multidisciplinary group to study the interaction of sustainability, community development and spirituality in India and Sri Lanka, promotion of the use of biogas and organic farming; and working for the Office of the First Lady in the Ecuadorian Government as a specialist in sustainable farming systems.

Rick was the first board chair of Envest. He is the co-founder of the Little Free Library movement and the Dane Buy Local network of independently owned businesses in Madison, WI. He served as the chair of Sarvodaya USA, which supports grassroots development in Sri Lanka and Nepal. He has also served as chair of WI SHARE, WI Positive Youth Development, and WI Partners for SustainAbility. For two decades Rick was the outreach program manager in Continuing Studies at the UW-Madison, teaching facilitating health and social change and providing consultation to commercial and non-profit groups.

Georgette served on the board from 2012-2016 after being involved with Envest since its founding in 2006. Her role has been crucial in planning and executing our vision and strategy. Georgette established an investment advisory firm specializing in socially responsible investing affiliated with First Affirmative Financial Network which she operated for 21 years until her retirement in 2012. Previously, she was an associate professor of business and economics at the UW-Marshfield. She remains active as a consultant and advocate of impact investing and has been active in numerous civic organizations.

Jennifer owns Lazarus Financial Planning, LLC, a fee-only financial planning firm for socially responsible investors in their twenties to fifties. She collaborates with her clients to develop and manage a tailored, cohesive financial strategy based on what matters most to them. She most enjoys helping people reach a place of empowerment and financial calm. Formerly a Peace Corps volunteer in Chad, Jennifer especially values how Envest partners with its microfinance institutions in recognition of local management’s capabilities and insight.

Sergio is a partner with Autonomous Mind, a locally-owned communication and planning consulting firm in Madison, WI. It specializes in providing communication and business planning services to small businesses and organizations, with a focus on sustainability and renewable energy. Sergio worked previously in the U.S. financial industry and in the consumer goods industry in Europe. He holds a degree in engineering from Universidade Católica, Porto, Portugal, and an MBA from UW–Madison. He has held board positions in various non-profit organizations over the years.

A lifetime investor, Wayne is a former member of the Chicago Board of Trade and was a 2nd Vice President of Smith Barney for 15 years, focusing on research in the area of global food economics. Wayne is interested in sustainable solutions to issues of renewable energy use, sustainable lifestyles, and income inequality on a national and global scale. Wayne is a founding member of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA). Microfinance is a clear tool to approach these issues. Wayne was on the Envest advisory board from 2008 until 2017 when he joined the board of directors.

Sylvia began her career at Nonprofit Financial Center and soon entered the sustainable and responsible investing sector working at Green America. Later, she worked at the U.S. Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investments which promotes the sector by focusing on public policy. She has consulted on several socially responsible investment projects. Currently, Sylvia is an investment advisor in Chicago affiliated with Natural Investments, a nationwide portfolio management firm that has been a leader in aligning client portfolios with a sustainable economy. Sylvia has a BS in International Business and Marketing from Illinois State University, and an MBA in Green Development and Urban Planning from Marylhurst University.

Paul directs the implementation of SAP supply chain software at Spectrum Brands. He has managed business implementations in North America, Asia and Europe in industrial, retail and high-tech verticals for nearly a decade. A business graduate of the University of Toledo, he has expertise in the business, financial and technical aspects of supply chain management. Paul has extensive travel experience in Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Africa and has seen the benefits that small loans can bring to individuals and their communities. He volunteers with the Sierra Club and Dane County Farmers Market.