Episode 37: Making Sound Investments for a Prosperous Planet with Nicole Middleton Holloway

In this episode, Capital Insight co-hosts and securities attorneys Jenny Kassan and Michelle Thimesch talk with Nicole Middleton Holloway, a hands-on, nurturing CFP (certified financial planner) who helps progressive investors live abundantly and make a positive impact with their wealth – in their families, in their communities, and in the world – through socially responsible investing. Bio: Prior to her work in finance, Nicole Middleton Holloway spent the first 10 years of her professional career working in the entertainment industry. She helped produce popular shows for FX Networks, and later served as a producer and communications director for actor and activist Danny Glover. As she took on more special projects related to social justice and female empowerment, she began to witness the power of money to accelerate positive social change. She also saw a greater need for more representation of women of color in professional advising roles within the socially responsible investment industry. Nicole took on her first role as an advisor in 2015, and after working briefly at a Wall Street firm, she quickly discovered that it was not the right place for her to build her career because the practices and culture there were not aligned with her personal values. In 2016, she co-founded Strategy Squad – an independent wealth management consulting business – with her co-founder, and father, Dennis N. Middleton, CPA. When Nicole is not advising clients, she stays involved in her local community by serving on an advisory board for East Bay Community Foundation, and is also a regular instructor with Uptima Business Bootcamp, a cooperative business based in Oakland that provides entrepreneurs from marginalized communities with greater access to education, mentorship and resources to create thriving businesses. Key quotes: “I know that representation matters in this industry and not having a firm dictate to you about which clients you work with - for me to be able to have the final say - has made such a difference in the type of clientele that we’ve been able to reach.” “It’s good for business owners and entrepreneurs to know that [values-aligned] funding is out there and that kind of funding is receiving more support from individual and institutional investors. There are more opportunities for people to invest in funds that specifically target entrepreneurs who come from marginalized communities, people of color, and women.” “I operate within a capitalistic system and I have to honor the fact that I am a fiduciary, but I also try to think about risk…in a way that’s trying to deconstruct that capitalistic frame of mind that’s perpetuated by inequality.” Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaturalInvestments/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/naturalinvest/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-investments/ Additional resources: Angels of Main Street is a community of investors with no minimum wealth or income requirement to join. If you’d like to be part of a community of diverse investors who want to make a difference with their dollars, please join us in Angels of Main Street!