Creating Blue Haven Initiative: A Millennial’s 100% Impact-Focused Single-Family Office | Liesel Pritzker Simmons, Co-Founder (#038)

SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing

Millennials care much more about how their investments affect the world around them. Since they’re set to inherit the largest wealth transfer in history, we’re seeing a shift toward impact investing.
Today’s episode is proof.
My guest is Liesel Pritzker Simmons, a millennial who’s rewriting the rules of wealth management with her single-family office, Blue Haven Initiative. It’s one of the world’s first family offices to go all-in with impact investing across all asset classes, transforming their wealth into catalysts for social and environmental impact through strategic investments.
We begin the conversation with her transition from Hollywood's silver screens to the forefront of private wealth investing. Born into a lineage renowned for its philanthropic and entrepreneurial ventures, Liesel's journey is not just one of inheriting wealth but of redefining its purpose.
Through her acting work and her time at Columbia University, Liesel developed a diverse background that laid the groundwork for co-founding the Blue Haven Initiative with her husband in 2012.
At BHI, Liesel oversees a diverse portfolio that spans several asset classes, including traditional equities, private equity, and philanthropic programs, all structured to generate financial returns while addressing social and environmental challenges.
Liesel also works closely with organizations that support and advance the field of impact investing, co-founding The ImPact, a network of families committed to the conscientious stewardship of wealth, and serving as a board member of Activate, the IDP Foundation, and ImpactAssets.
Blue Haven Initiative demonstrates that a single-family office can do more than just manage wealth; it can wield it as a force for good through strategic placements in sustainable ventures and innovative startups.
Our conversation also explores topics of social responsibility, investing in fintech in Sub-Saharan Africa, the power of civic engagement, and catalytic and philanthropic capital.
Ready to learn how you can also transform your wealth into a force for positive change? Listen in.
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Show notes here.
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About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, I interview a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes.
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Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Liesel’s transition from child actor to impact investor (02:37)
A Millennial’s POV on investing (22:11)
What the Blue Haven Initiative is & their investment approach (25:48)
Blue Haven’s impact goals and strategies (40:30)
A few examples of Blue Haven’s investments (56:17)
Investing in the youth vote (01:04:28)
Thoughts on impact washing, catalytic capital, and philanthropic capital (01:10:39)
Rapid fire questions (01:23:14)
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Additional Resources
Learn more about Liesel’s foundation.
Learn more about the five dimensions of impact here.
Learn more about the Blue Haven Initiative.
Connect with Liesel Pritzker Simmons:
LinkedIn