Growing communities of financial activists are following a calling for healing and justice and collaborating to create long-term well-being for all.
They’re working to help end extractive practices that have caused immense human suffering and severely damaged the natural world. And they’re modeling a new form of activism, one that leverages financial and social capital as powerful tools for positive change.
The Just Economy Institute educates, supports, and connects financial activists who are shifting the flow of capital and power to solve social and environmental problems. The Institute focuses on three core areas of learning:
- the inner work that equips us to do our best work in the world
- the practical work of activating financial and social capital effectively
- the collective work to create systems that support the well-being of all people and the planet
JEI programs include:
- Fellowships: a nine-month leadership development program and community of practice
- Alumni Support: gatherings, advisory support, tools and connections
- Field Building: sharing resources, strategies and articles
Joining an active community of thought leaders and change makers, fellows become part of an influential and innovative network of financial activists.
They learn about ways to activate the positive potential of capital from a group of experts in the field. And they gain an understanding of the mindset and culture needed to support the fundamental re-thinking of the purpose of wealth.
The nine-month fellowship program consists of three in-person immersions, online sessions, one-on-one advisor calls, online resources, peer coaching, and creative capital projects. The program is grounded in an understanding of the current extractive economic system and the ways financial and social capital can be used to effect systemic change. Fellows explore their relationship with money, integrate inner work with external work, learn about social change investing, and discover new ways to create community wealth.
JEI faculty, speakers and one-on-one advisors are experts in integrated capital, systems design, regenerative agriculture, community wealth building, donor/investor organizing, and transformational leadership. JEI convenes and educates diverse cohorts of fellows to support new ventures and collaborations, help leaders gain more clarity and confidence in their leadership, and share strategies to support the well-being of all people and the planet.
Fellows
Systemic change work requires creative, intelligent, and passionate leaders.
JEI fellows possess self-knowledge as well as the skills needed to navigate power, conflict and possibility. Each year, cohorts of 28 fellows participate in a 9-month fellowship program.
JEI currently supports more than 150 fellows and alumni who have:
- a deep commitment to effect positive change and create a just economy
- a clear desire to learn and grow, both personally and professionally
- the ability to influence the flow of financial and social capital
- strong emotional intelligence
Program Topics
The nine-month fellowship program is relational and experiential. The program evolves every year based on the needs of fellows and the field. Current concepts and discussion topics include:
- Extractive Capitalism in the U.S.
- Shifting the Flow of Capital & Power
- Transformational Leadership
- The Fundamentals of Integrated Capital
- Frameworks for a Just and Resilient Economy
- Catalytic Capital for Climate Solutions
- Social Justice Giving & Investing
- The Economics of Relationship
- Whole Portfolio Activation
- Donor/Investor Organizing
JEI Team, Faculty and Facilitators
Akaya Windwood (Third Act and The New Universal); Deb Nelson (Just Economy Institute); Esther Park (Cienega Capital and #NoRegrets Initiative); Joel Solomon (Renewal Funds); Tina Beck (Just Economy Institute); Keoni Lee (Hawai’i Investment Ready); Yichen Feng (LUNAR and Center for Economic Democracy); Aisha Nyandoro (Springboard To Opportunities and Magnolia Mother’s Trust).
Presenters/Educators
Upcoming presenters/educators include: Deborah Frieze (Boston Impact Initiative); Sallie Calhoun and Esther Park (#NoRegrets Initiative); Rajasvini Bhansali (Solidaire Network); Farhad Ebrahimi (Chorus Foundation); Robert Trent Vinson (Woodson Institute for African American and African Studies); Dana Bezerra and Donna Daniels (Heron Foundation); Akaya Windwood (Third Act and The New Universal); Dawn McGee (Goodworks Ventures); Ruth Shaber (Tara Health Foundation); and other financial activists.
