Last month, a dream came true.
After three years of relationship building “to find the others”. We organized a gathering around Catholic social tradition and investment practice.
And it was more than a gathering. It was a deep encounter.
People felt moved by how deeply they were able to relate, and how meaningfully they could wrestle with the big questions of faith and finance together.
Our core values should not be aspirational—they should be practiced,” and that was the theme of everything I observed.
~Jon Sweeney, Focolare Media
https://www.focolaremedia.com/magazine/content/faith-first-investing
I think for many, they felt like they found their tribe.
For others, they knew there were a few people like them, but it wasn’t until the Summit that they realized there was more than 100.
Here’s a glimpse:
One of the “lightening talks” that really stirred the room and was super powerful for me was hearing Brian Boland lay out why we can’t follow conventional investing norms:
In addition to the conference portion of the agenda, a small group of 25 gathered a day early for some strategic planning and visioning as well as an encounter with North Lawndale community development leadership.
What did attendees say to us after?
Really honest conversations motivated by a desire to do something different
~Michelle Hoexum, Revalue Investing
I feel really blessed to be able to have had the experience of the conference you organized, and organized so well. It was unlike any I have attended. I felt supported, heard, safe and inspired. The people I met warmed my heart, and felt like more than passing conversations, but deep connections. I have already had one Zoom chat with someone I met and have a few more scheduled.
There was really honest conversations motivated by a desire to do something different. Sessions were really well facilitated to encourage open conversation and exploration without expectations. The individuals that shared at the front of the room, I loved! The rituals made me really vulnerable in a way that felt grounded and encouraged me to dig deeper.
~Michelle Hoexum is an advisor & co-owner of Revalue Investing — one of the leading RIAs with community-investing focus.
The format and the content of the gathering was exceptional.
~Sebastian Waldburg, Oryx Impact
It was not only amazing to see your convening power with so many interesting and relevant people from all over, but the format and the content of the gathering was exceptional. We loved the lightening talks which inspired incredibly powerful discussion in our tables and lots of food for thought to take home.
Of course, meeting so many likeminded people with incredible achievements and visions was the highlight. Building long lasting relationships is key for long term impact investing and we are in the process of following up with several people.
~Sebastian Waldburg, Founding Partner, Oryx Impact
A historical task in the life of the Church and the Humankind.
~Fr. Lord Winner, CMF
thank you to all of you from Francesco Collaborative. Your work is a historical task in the life of the Church and the Humankind.
~Fr. Lord Winner, Claretian Missionary Fathers
The best conference I have experienced so far in the impact world
I wanted to commend you and the staff for the best conference I have experienced so far in the impact world. It was about relationships I plan on coming to the next one!
~Juan Escareño, Potlikker Capital
Want a longer recap of the gathering?
Here’s a 20-min version: https://youtu.be/6loJMqu9smg?si=uY-SJGNLIVAIBghr
And we have a playlist of 20 short videos of various talks and preaching if you’d like more! (Just let me know.)
What else did attendees say?
Turns on its head the dynamic of the typical investor conference
Here is some of the anonymous feedback we got in our survey after the summit:
- “I really appreciated how the format encouraged active participation, with only short but very relevant and inspiring talks “from the stage”. This turns on its head the dynamic of the typical investor conference and helped maximize the number of good and new connections.”
- “Religious leaders, fund managers, asset owners, university professors, and other professionals coming together to bridge the gap between their core values and investment practices. As one participant mentioned:
This summit helped me feel “less lonely” being a part of a community that takes CST seriously and longs to integrate its principles in their work.
- “Good mixture of money and meaning, personal and business.”
- “Best. Conference. Ever!!! Can’t wait to participate in the Livable Future Workshop in February, and for next years’ summit!”
- “Thank you with all of my heart for making Summit attendance accessible. I am eternally grateful for this generosity.”
Want to join us next year?
We plan to gather November 5-7, 2025.
Take 30-seconds to express interest.
We will add your email to our list and we’ll let you know as the location and other registration details come together.