In this episode of Sustainability Ambassador podcast, we speak with Durreen Shahnaz, founder of Impact Investment Exchange (IIX), IIX Foundation, and author of forthcoming book The Defiant Optimist Daring to Fight Global Inequality, Reinvent Finance, and Invest in Women.

Durreen is a true visionary in the space of impact investment, and in this episode, we delve into her mission and vision to change the finance industry and we explore the power of defiant optimists (entrepreneurs) to drive meaningful global change.

Her book, The Defiant Optimist Daring to Fight Global Inequality, Reinvent Finance, and Invest in Women, will be in stores on June 27, but you can also pre-order by clicking here: https://defiantoptimist.com/pre-order/:

Timestamps:

00:17 - Welcome to Sustainable Ambassador Podcast

00:54 - Durreen Shahnaz Introduction

02:10 - Defiante optimism & changing finance

04:25 - Building IIX: Changing finance from mainstreet to Wall Street

07:40 - Why inclusive finance has higher ROI & lower losses

08:50 - How definant Optimism, and optimists, change systems

11:40 - Maintainig passion and the need for a North Star

12:45 - Overcoming resistence through deliberate research, planning, and execution

14:05 - How definant optimists approach challenges with holistic solutions/ mindsets

16:10 - Delivering impact is a marathon, and we need to run together

16:58 - Durreen's five year vision for change

17:25 - Advice to future defiant optimists

About Durreen

Durreen Shahnaz is a global leader of social impact and pioneer in impact investing. She is also the founder of Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) and IIX Foundation.

Shahnaz is the recipient of UN Women’s 2020 Asia-Pacific Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP) award, the 2019 Sustainability Superwoman award from CSR Works, 2017 Oslo Business for Peace Award, often referred to as the ‘Nobel Prize for Business’, the 2017 Global Steering Group for Impact Investment Impact Market Builder of the Year award, the 2016 Asia Society Asia Game Changer Award, in addition to the prestigious 2014 Joseph Wharton Social Impact Award given by the Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania. Recently, Shahnaz was named in the Forbes 50 over 50 list as a notable leader in the financial industry.

Shahnaz holds a BA from Smith College and a joint degree – an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a MA from the School for Advanced International Studies at John Hopkins University.

Follow Durreen

Website: www.defiantoptimist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durreenshahnaz

LiunkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/durreenshahnaz/

Twitter: twitter.com/durreen

About Collective Responsibility

Based in Shanghai, Collective Responsibility is a strategic advisory firm founded by Richard Brubaker, one of Asia’s most recognized authorities on sustainability, innovation and responsible leadership.

Founded with the fundamental belief that a sustainable world can only be achieved through awareness of issues, finding tangibility in business cases, and development of cross-sector collaboration, Collective Responsibility acts as a knowledge base, catalyst, and facilitator between stakeholders.

Our mission is to:

– Create a knowledge base and catalyze discussion of issues related to the development of civil society, business sustainability and social development in Asia.

– Develop tangible interests, engagement, and action on issues of sustainability (economic, environmental and societal).

– Develop organizational capacity with the aim to help create stable and profitable enterprises.

Contact Us:

Social@coresponsibility.com

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