OUR TEAM

Impact Finance Center team is an exceptional assembly of individuals dedicated to education, research and proving concepts in the area of impact finance and philanthropy.

STAFF

Andrew Crandall, Development, Events, and Communications Associate
Andrew is a Veteran with a bachelor’s in Graphic Design and a photographer. After serving seven years in the Air Force medical field, he has accumulated a wide variety of skills ranging from administrative, project management, financial management, and basic combat medical training. Throughout his life, Andrew has had a passion for art and technology which has led him to his current path and enabled him to self-teach IT solutions and software which opened up his doors to IFC.
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Karen Eller, Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Drawing on 15 years of fundraising experience working with nonprofits such as The Nature Conservancy and FoodCorps, Karen advises IFC’s philanthropic vision, including donor strategy, grant writing, and systems building. When not working with IFC, Karen serves as an independent fundraising consultant, assisting clients on fundraising planning, infrastructure, and major gifts. She has a B.A. from Trinity University. Email >>

Stephanie Gripne, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Stephanie Gripne is an academic entrepreneur, impact investor, researcher, educator & the creative force behind Impact Finance Center, Impact Investing Institute, Investor Clubs, Impact Investing Giving Circles, and Who’s Who in Impact Investing and the vision to catalyze the National Impact Investing Marketplace to catalyze $1T of investment. Stephanie founded Impact Finance Center in 2012. Stephanie sets the vision and provides leadership for the entire organization while focusing on business development, client engagement, and industry thought leadership through her research, writing, and speaking. For Dr. Gripne’s full bio and CV, click here.
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Jeremy Harkey, Senior Fellow
Jeremy has worked throughout the world on development, human rights and humanitarian issues before returning to the U.S. to work in impact investing. Jeremy leverages this field-based, global perspective when helping investors conduct due diligence, create impact monitoring and communication systems, perform Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) analyses of investments, and manage portfolios through his business, Value Aligned Capital Consulting. He has helped IFC build its Colorado presence and operations, while supporting its PR efforts, fundraising, and the production of CO Impact Days. Email >>


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Jennifer Kelly, Writer-Editor
Jennifer is a marketing communications professional with more than 20 years of experience helping nonprofits and for-profits achieve their goals and communicate their brand. As a writer and editor for IFC, she brings deep knowledge of diverse sectors with special interest in education, arts and culture, and social justice. Jennifer is a graduate of Haverford College with an M.F.A. from the University of Southern California. Email>>

Tony Macklin, Senior Advisor
An IFC Senior Advisor since 2015, Tony has worked for 25 years at the forefront of translating meaningful giving into community results. As an independent consultant, he advises clients about philanthropic purpose, use of resources, action planning, and learning. Tony served as executive director of the Roy A. Hunt Foundation and spent twelve years at the Central Indiana Community Foundation. In his work for IFC, he draws from his own civic involvement, serving on numerous boards and as a peer reviewer for The Foundation Review. Tony earned an M.A. from Butler University and a B.A. from Manchester College. Email>>

Carl Palmer, Senior Advisor
Carl is the founder of LegacyWorks Group, which facilitates collaborative efforts and mobilizes capital to achieve positive impact within communities. As an IFC Senior Advisor, he leverages his experience in impact investing, nonprofit leadership, ecological restoration, strategy development, entrepreneurship, investment management and place-based education. In 2005, he co-founded Beartooth Capital, an impact investment firm investing in ranches around the American West to generate financial returns, conservation results, and community benefits. Prior to Beartooth, Carl was President and CEO of Greenbridges, an impact investment firm focused on agricultural property with high conservation value. He received a dual B.A. in Architectural Studies and Environmental Studies from Brown University, and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. Email>> 

Connie Rutledge, Senior Operations Advisor
Curiosity drives Connie Rutledge to innovate and solve problems creatively in both market and mission-driven businesses. Her expertise in analyzing new business ideas goes beyond an understanding of critical numbers to focus on market landscape and value proposition. With an in-depth understanding of entrepreneurial endeavors, she translates that experience to apply to large organizations, from higher education to Fortune 500 companies. Email>> 

Randh Robello, Executive Assistant to Dr Stephanie Gripne
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Greg Sherman, Senior Operations Advisor
Since 2012, Greg has provided guidance to Impact Finance Center in the areas of operations, team dynamics, and leadership development. Outside of IFC, Greg advises small businesses and startups on successful growth, managing competing personalities, and staying sane in the face of entrepreneurial challenges. Greg was the John E. Jeuck Distinguished Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business where earned his M.B.A. with High Honors. Email>>

IMPACT FINANCE CENTER FELLOWS

Nicole Hagen
A native Coloradan, Nicole recently graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Business Administration and an emphasis in Sustainability, Society, and Business. Nicole is incredibly passionate about impact investing and sustainable finance, she served as the president of a humanitarian organization at USC and as a student intern for the Sustainability Office. Nicole is excited to grow her experience in impact as she aims to implement sustainable solutions around the globe.

Cole Mellino
Cole is a recent graduate of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California with an MBA and MA in International Environmental Policy. He is passionate about developing climate-resilient and regenerative food systems, and working with entrepreneurs and investors that innovate to create a more sustainable and just world. His background includes research, writing, communications, events, and customer service. Most recently, he served as the Project Associate for Fish 2.0, which connected entrepreneurs and investors in sustainable seafood through an accelerator-like program.

Frank Medina

Fellow Alumni

Scott Travis 2019

Kelly Franson 2018, 2020

Sarah Hovde 2019

David Ramires 2019

Amy Penn 2018-2019

Sean Adler 2019

Adriana Fiedler 2019

Lei Yang 2019

Drew Hackman 2018-2019

Olivia Varghese 2018

Brandon Randash 2018

Jackson Daily 2015-2018

Josh Gonzales 2016-2017

Christine Sanwald 2016-2017

Catherine Kauffman 2017

Trey Taylor 2015-2017

Matt Rhodes 2015-2016

Nicole Brajevich 2015-2016

Riley Sullivan 2015-2016

Hadleigh Seely 2014-2015 


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ADVISORS

David Buchwald, Senior Advisor
David, a tax attorney with prior experience as an economic analyst, is a former White Plains, New York city council member who proceeded to serve four terms in the New York State Assembly. In addition to his 100% environmental voting record, David successfully led efforts improving utilities, transportation, and government ethics. An impact investor himself, David assists the Impact Finance Center in advising those seeking to support ventures that produce both financial returns and benefits to communities, the environment, and the world at large. He has a B.S. in physics from Yale University, along with a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a Master in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Nicole Bagley, Senior Advisor
Nicole supports the Impact Finance Center in the area of strategy, communications, fundraising and education. Nicole is a experienced entrepreneur, philanthropist, and impact investor and is the President of the Brenn Foundation, Vice President of the Arca Foundation, and serves as a trustee for the Sapelo Foundation. The Brenn Foundation  and Musgrove Conference Center convenes meetings for non-profits in a unique environment that encourages action through open conversation and the building of strategic partnerships. Email>> 

Andrew C. Currie, Senior Advisor
Andrew provides leadership for the Impact Finance Center in the area of Environment and Conservation and is an experienced entrepreneur, start-up business leader and impact investor passionate about helping endangered wildlife and the people who live with them. He does this via a portfolio of activities including impact investing in land conservation for wildlife habitat, supporting pro-Nature election work and democracy reform, engaged philanthropy, business consulting for wildlife NGOs and policy advocacy.

Timothy ForbessSenior Advisor
Tim is the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Advancement at Antioch University, and the lead in the school’s partnership with Impact Finance Center, as IFC scales it impact investing curriculum to an online platform. Previously, he served as vice president for institutional advancement at United Theological Seminary and  president and CEO at The National Foundation for Alternative Medicine, where he created partnerships with major US universities to manage grants for research and findings. Tim has a B.A. in communications and journalism from the University of Memphis and a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton. Certified as Ordained Clergy through The United Methodist Church, Tim is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and the Development Institutional Advancement Professionals Association of Theological Schools, among other community organizations. Email>> 

Chris Garvin, Senior Advisor
Chris Garvin is an highly accomplished sustainability expert and architect who has run small companies as the managing director /CEO /CSO and active voice in the sustainable design community with over twenty years experience. His work spans across building type and scales and includes developing innovative products and building systems integration to large-scale planning issues and building code development. Email>> 

Holmes Hummel, Senior Advisor
Holmes provides critical thought leadership in IFC’s fundraising and field-building initiatives in the energy sector. Holmes is the founder of Clean Energy Works, which connects champions of energy efficiency and renewable energy with resources that accelerate investment in the deployment of clean energy solutions. In addition, she is on the Global Advisory Committee of Cornerstone Capital Group, which is among the world’s leading voices in the field of sustainable investment and finance. Holmes also serves on the board of Cleantech Open, the world’s largest accelerator built to find, fund, and foster the most promising cleantech startups. Holmes earned a B.S., M.S.E., and Ph.D. from Stanford University. Email>> 

Bruce Hutton, Senior Advisor
Dean emeritus and Piccinati Professor in Teaching Innovation, R. Bruce Hutton, PhD, is the Daniels College of Business director of Ethics Integration for the College. He has received numerous local, regional and national honors for his contributions in business education, applied market research and community service. In 2005, his body of work in the areas of corporate citizenship and sustainability were included in the Faculty Pioneer Featured Collection, in CasePlace.org of the Aspen Institute Business and Society Program. Email>> 

Krista Morgan, Senior Advisor
Krista Morgan is cofounder of P2Binvestor (p2bi.com), a marketplace lender that helps entrepreneurs and innovators transform their companies from sector newcomers to industry leaders. P2Bi partners with banks and investors, while also offering a robust crowdfunding platform, to provide affordable, flexible capital that evolves with business growth. Krista has quickly grown P2Bi into a multimillion-dollar company and one of the few tech-enabled commercial lenders that can rapidly underwrite and fund million-dollar lines of credit. In addition, she is cohost of the popular podcast, Women Who Startup Radio, a global networking and learning platform for female entrepreneurs and innovators. As an IFC Advisor, she brings her technology sector expertise to IFC’s new Impact Investing Institute. Krista earned a BA in Economics and Political Science from McGill University. Email>> 

Will Morgan, Senior Advisor
Will is Director of Impact at Sonen Capital, an investment management firm dedicated to impact investing. As one of the earliest practitioners of Impact Reporting and Investment Standards, he has helped many large US and European foundations expand their internal impact evaluation systems. Previously, Will was Senior Associate at Virtue Ventures, providing management consulting to social ventures globally. He also served as a Program Officer at the Skoll Foundation. Will earned a B.A. in Latin American Economic Development from Franklin and Marshall, and an M.B.A. from the University of Denver. Email>> 

Craig Muska, Senior Advisor
Craig develops tools, platforms, and strategies that leverage investment capital to strengthen communities. Most recently, Craig co-founded Tilt. Previously Craig served as president of Canopy, a new model to promote impact investing, cross-sector regional capital formation and, economic development. Prior to founding Canopy, Craig served as Director of Investments for Threshold Group’s Foundation Services, where he launched and developed the firm’s impact investing program.  He has over 20 years of experience working with leading private foundations, institutional investors and asset managers to develop impact aligned investment strategies and collaborations. Craig earned a BA in finance from Northern Illinois University and a MS in public administration from the University of Illinois, Chicago. Email>> 

Mei Ratz, Senior Designer Advisor
Mei is a creative who uses photography and design to communicate and solve problems. She graduated from the Pacific Northwest College of Art as a Communication Designer. Mei used photography, mapping, info graphics, interviewing and data organization to create a graduating thesis about the intangible grit of the city of Detroit. Email>> 

Cindy Willard, Senior Advisor
Cindy is a Colorado thought leader in philanthropic strategy, grant making, and program development. She founded Full Potential Philanthropy, where she serves as an advisor and strategist for foundations and individuals. Cindy was Vice President of Community Initiatives and Investments at The Women’s Foundation of Colorado and served as a Senior Program Officer for the Johnson Foundation. Cindy received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and is a graduate of the Master of Nonprofit Management program at Regis University. Email>>

Stephanie J. Wilson, Senior Advisor
As IFC Senior Advisor, Stephanie adds her renowned healthcare sector and commercial real estate expertise to the impact investing field. A successful 20-year entrepreneur in the medical real estate field, she is dedicated to the expansion of wealth opportunities and sustainable impact investments in Healthcare, primarily for women, millennials and minorities. Most recently, Stephanie founded ACCESS Medical INCLUSIVE Investments, an impact investing real estate firm that extends the invitation of private investment into Medical Real Estate Assets to women and minorities through direct investment alongside a robust Crowdfunding platform. Recent speaking engagements include the GlobalMindED Conference; the Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing Conference; and the Decade of Women Conference. Email>>