{"id":92885,"date":"2023-02-02T03:37:44","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T11:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spring.is\/old\/blog\/my-impact-investor-challenge-experience-an-interview-with-sydney-wanchulak-copy\/"},"modified":"2023-02-10T10:04:18","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T18:04:18","slug":"my-impact-investor-challenge-experience-an-interview-with-sonya-bell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spring.is\/old\/alumni\/my-impact-investor-challenge-experience-an-interview-with-sonya-bell\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Sonya Bell: an impact-first investor, who recognizes that the company\u2019s mission is what matters most"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"92885\" class=\"elementor elementor-92885\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-96614e8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"96614e8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7ff67e5\" data-id=\"7ff67e5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6542655 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6542655\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 13-09-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Importance of Impact-led Investments and Social Responsibility in Solving Global Problems\n<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4c688d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f4c688d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 13-09-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>&#8220;Impact<em> investing is a neat way to bring some of the values of charitable giving over to the for-profit world, and support early- stage companies doing high-impact work.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the statements made by<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonya Bell<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, writer, editor and communications pro in her interview with Marlubi Gomez from the spring team. Impact investing can be a\u00a0 rewarding experience that builds equitable societies. Spring believes there is not only room for everyone to be represented at the table, the fact that each investor brings their own lived experiences makes it essential to being able to tackle today\u2019s biggest problems together. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The challenge is &#8211; how does someone start their impact investing journey and how do they find and select impact-driven companies and values-aligned founders?<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/sonyakbell\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonya Bell<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> entered the 2022 Health Impact Investor Challenge after successfully investing twice in small impact investments on a whim, and was curious to learn more about Impact investing, with a keen interest to be more informed on her next investment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sonya shared with us how her experience as part of the 2022 Health <a href=\"https:\/\/spring.is\/old\/programs\/impact-investor-challenge\/investors\/\">Impact Investor Challenge<\/a>, in partnership with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.telus.com\/en\/pollinatorfund\">TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good<\/a>, helped her hone her investing \u2018thesis\u2019, with an impact-first filter on her investment decisions, and the value of building relationships and trust in a diversity of high-impact founders, alongside her cohort of investors. Read more below on what made Sonya\u2019s experience exceptional.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e6d87b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2e6d87b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dcb36bc\" data-id=\"dcb36bc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7019270 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7019270\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Forging Ahead Into The Realm of Impact Investing <\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6134135 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6134135\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8fb44e8\" data-id=\"8fb44e8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8f6eb5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a8f6eb5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What investing experience did you have prior to the program?<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-442e72a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"442e72a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I didn\u2019t have a lot of investing experience coming into the program. I\u2019d made two small impact investments on a whim and found it rewarding, so wanted to learn more about how to do it properly.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-243e19b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"243e19b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why did impact investing pique your interest?\n<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3da69ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3da69ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I see impact investing as a neat way to bring some of the values of charitable giving over to the for-profit world, and support early- stage companies doing high-impact work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63ae1a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"63ae1a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">\nWhy did you choose to participate in the program, what about it attracted you? What were you seeking to gain out of it? \n<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a105bcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a105bcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019d been feeling a bit frustrated with the lack of control I have over my existing (traditional) investments. I chose to participate in the program to gain exposure to purpose-driven companies, learn how to evaluate them, and feel more confident making some investments on my own.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40a3845 elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-blockquote--button-color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"40a3845\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor-pro - v3.16.0 - 12-09-2023 *\/\n@charset \"UTF-8\";.entry-content blockquote.elementor-blockquote:not(.alignright):not(.alignleft),.entry-summary blockquote.elementor-blockquote{margin-right:0;margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-blockquote 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.e-q-footer{margin-top:12px;display:flex;justify-content:space-between}.elementor-blockquote__tweet-button{display:flex;transition:.3s;color:#1da1f2;align-self:flex-end;line-height:1;position:relative;width:-moz-max-content;width:max-content}.elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:hover{color:#0967a0}.elementor-blockquote__tweet-button span{font-weight:600}.elementor-blockquote__tweet-button i,.elementor-blockquote__tweet-button span{vertical-align:middle}.elementor-blockquote__tweet-button i+span,.elementor-blockquote__tweet-button svg+span{margin-left:.5em}.elementor-blockquote__tweet-button svg{fill:#1da1f2;height:1em;width:1em}.elementor-blockquote__tweet-label{white-space:pre-wrap}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button,.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-classic .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button{padding:.7em 1.2em;border-radius:100em;background-color:#1da1f2;color:#fff;font-size:15px}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:hover,.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-classic .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:hover{background-color:#0967a0;color:#fff}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:hover:before,.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-classic .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:hover:before{border-right-color:#0967a0}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button svg,.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-classic .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button svg{fill:#fff;height:1em;width:1em}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble.elementor-blockquote--button-view-icon .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button,.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-classic.elementor-blockquote--button-view-icon .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button{padding:0;width:2em;height:2em}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble.elementor-blockquote--button-view-icon .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button i,.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-classic.elementor-blockquote--button-view-icon .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button i{position:absolute;left:50%;top:50%;transform:translate(-50%,-50%)}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:before{content:\"\";border:.5em solid transparent;border-right-color:#1da1f2;position:absolute;left:-.8em;top:50%;transform:translateY(-50%) scaleY(.65);transition:.3s}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble.elementor-blockquote--align-left .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:before{right:auto;left:-.8em;border-right-color:#1da1f2;border-left-color:transparent}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble.elementor-blockquote--align-left .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:hover:before{border-right-color:#0967a0}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble.elementor-blockquote--align-right .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:before{left:auto;right:-.8em;border-right-color:transparent;border-left-color:#1da1f2}.elementor-blockquote--button-skin-bubble.elementor-blockquote--align-right .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button:hover:before{border-left-color:#0967a0}.elementor-blockquote--skin-boxed .elementor-blockquote{background-color:#f9fafa;padding:30px}.elementor-blockquote--skin-border .elementor-blockquote{border-color:#f9fafa;border-left:7px #f9fafa;border-style:solid;padding-left:20px}.elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation .elementor-blockquote:before{content:\"\u201c\";font-size:100px;color:#f9fafa;font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif;font-weight:900;line-height:1;display:block;height:.6em}.elementor-blockquote--skin-quotation .elementor-blockquote__content{margin-top:15px}.elementor-blockquote--align-left .elementor-blockquote__content{text-align:left}.elementor-blockquote--align-left .elementor-blockquote .e-q-footer{flex-direction:row}.elementor-blockquote--align-right .elementor-blockquote__content{text-align:right}.elementor-blockquote--align-right .elementor-blockquote .e-q-footer{flex-direction:row-reverse}.elementor-blockquote--align-center .elementor-blockquote{text-align:center}.elementor-blockquote--align-center .elementor-blockquote .e-q-footer,.elementor-blockquote--align-center .elementor-blockquote__author{display:block}.elementor-blockquote--align-center .elementor-blockquote__tweet-button{margin-right:auto;margin-left:auto}<\/style>\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\tSonya's values as an impact investor and what gets her most excited are foremost-the company's mission- its purpose, the way they have a clear problem, and a plan to solve it.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-652d0a8 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"652d0a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 13-09-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider 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.elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-999f37c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"999f37c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through guest lectures and conversations with other participants, Sonya learned there are multiple ways investors form their investment theories. Everyone will have a different approach, <strong>&#8220;<em>it&#8217;s about evaluating what is important to you and how to balance social and financial returns.&#8221;<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By joining the program, Sonya discovered many other people from various backgrounds and sectors interested in impact investing. She was able to share with and learn from like-minded investors, like Sonya, looking to invest in purposeful companies that are making a difference.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fe3cbb0 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"fe3cbb0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd6d4a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"dd6d4a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What was your experience like in the program?<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5241e9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5241e9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very positive. It was exciting to discover there are so many other people from a variety of backgrounds and sectors interested in this type of investing. We were able to learn from the guest lecturers, but also from each other.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fcb1fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8fcb1fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What were your most important takeaways from the sessions? What was the best advice you received?<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b4c81d elementor-blockquote--skin-border elementor-blockquote--button-color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-blockquote\" data-id=\"4b4c81d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"blockquote.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<blockquote class=\"elementor-blockquote\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-blockquote__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\"One thing that really sticks with me is the many ways you can add value as an investor\u2014it\u2019s not just capital; it can be about making introductions, sharing feedback, and contributing your own expertise.\"\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5006cb1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5006cb1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With confidence in evaluating early-stage companies and investment opportunities, Sonya shared with us that she now looks forward to gaining exposure to high-impact companies.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fa8af1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2fa8af1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How did the program support you in developing your investment thesis? ?<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb3f519 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eb3f519\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The conversations with other course participants really helped me see that there\u2019s no right or wrong answer when forming your investment thesis. Everyone will have a different approach, and that\u2019s okay. You get to decide what\u2019s most important to you, and how to balance social and financial returns. It taught me to ask the right questions when analyzing impact, like: <em>Would this change happen anyway and what\u2019s the risk if this change doesn\u2019t occur?<\/em><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a43dff8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a43dff8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h6 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Would you recommend Spring? What would you recommend and to whom?<\/h6>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b44003 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b44003\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I\u2019d highly recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn how to play a more hands-on role in the startup world \u2013 <em>I found it a welcoming place to dive into impact investing no matter your experience level<\/em>. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-569972d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"569972d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0cc57f8\" data-id=\"0cc57f8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-01a7d4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"01a7d4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Find out more about our Impact Investor Challenge and join one of our next intakes!<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d5e7a6 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3d5e7a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-bob\" href=\"https:\/\/spring.is\/old\/programs\/impact-investor-challenge\/investors\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Importance of Impact-led Investments and Social Responsibility in Solving Global Problems &#8220;Impact investing is a neat way to bring some of the values of charitable giving over to the for-profit world, and support early- stage companies doing high-impact work.&#8221; This is one of the statements made by Sonya Bell, &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":92887,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,1236,1229,1278,1226,1257],"tags":[1029,262,1277,195,317,1231,1280,1213,372,1281,72],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>My Impact Investor Challenge Experience: Sonya Bell<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Her values as an impact investor and what gets her most excited are foremost-the company&#039;s mission- its purpose.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"My Impact Investor Challenge Experience: Sonya Bell\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Her values as an impact investor and what gets her most excited are foremost-the company&#039;s mission- its purpose.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/spring.is\/old\/blog\/my-impact-investor-challenge-experience-an-interview-with-sonya-bell\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Spring Activator\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SpringImpact\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-02-02T11:37:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-02-10T18:04:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/spring.is\/old\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/INV-Blog-Banners.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" 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