Women in Finance Spotlight: Q&A with Kristin Hull
Photo of Kristin Hull by Jaime Borschuk, shot at Tether Collective
Meet Kristin Hull, PhD. She is the Founder, Chief Investment Officer, and Portfolio Manager of Nia Impact Capital. Nia has been a leader in impact investing since 2007, when Kristin established the first 100% impact invested foundation endowment.
Kristin was recently named Portfolio Manager of the Year by InvestmentNews Women to Watch Awards! She also recently ruffled the feathers of the richest man in the world (via shareholder activism), so we know she’s doing something right :).
Women in finance in all roles and levels are invited to apply to be part of my portrait project by filling out this questionnaire. Below are some favorites of Kristin’s answers to my questions.
What drew you to finance?
Wanting to make big systems change, to empower women, to end the patriarchy, to promote sustainability. I grew up in a trading firm, so I understood the vocabulary and the general systems—I saw our financial system as exacerbating our growing inequalities, with women largely left out of the conversation. I also saw that when enough of us shift our investments we can make real change, and I am motivated to empower investors to move toward sustainability.
What is an unexpected aspect of working in finance?
Unlocking the power for women when we can help them understand their finances. The potential of collective action is huge. Also, as much as I understood the male dominated nature of this sector, I was not prepared for how strong the patriarchy and bias really is, expecially for women in asset management.
What do you want to know about other women who work in finance?
How are they leveraging their position to work for change within the system? How can I support them? How we can work together?
Who/what are your favorite people and resources related to finance?
I am loving the books by the awesome change makers, like Jasmine Rashid, Janine Firpo, Ruth Shaber, MD, and Patience Marime-Ball, Esq.
What is something you think is worth splurging on?
Women’s retreats to host and build community, and vacations with family and special people.
