What Investment Consultants Actually Look For | Akasha Absher, Syntrinsic

Akasha Absher, Co-President at Syntrinsic — an institutional advisory firm managing approximately $3 billion for foundations, endowments, and nonprofits — offers a rare inside view into how investment consultants evaluate mission-aligned managers, advise fiduciaries on portfolio construction, and help clients navigate the tension between financial objectives and long-term systemic risk. As OCIOs and consultants become central to how institutional capital is allocated, Absher's perspective bridges the gap between investment theory and on-the-ground practice.   Key themes covered in this episode: Manager Due Diligence & Mission Alignment — How consultants evaluate ESG and impact managers beyond labels, including the role of intentionality, measurement, and outcomes across asset classes Fiduciary Duty Redefined — Why aligning investments with institutional mission is not in conflict with fiduciary responsibility — and how boards can reframe the performance conversation Systems-Level Investing in Practice — How endowments and foundations are beginning to address systemic risks (climate, inequality, AI disruption) through capital allocation, stewardship, and coalition engagement Emerging Managers & Access to Capital — The structural barriers new and diverse managers face and what asset owners can do to responsibly catalyze emerging strategies This conversation is essential for investment committees, OCIOs, and institutional advisors seeking a grounded, practitioner-level perspective on sustainable portfolio construction. – Resources: Impact Management Project framework - https://impactfrontiers.org/norms/ Endowment Impact Benchmark - https://endowmentimpactbenchmark.org/ Winners Take All by Anand Giridharadas -https://share.google/jze1kMR1TpXmVJsBo Syntrinsic - https://www.syntrinsic.com – General Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & IEN 2026 Virtual Forum Announcement 02:30 About Syntrinsic: Firm Overview and Client Base 05:30 Akasha's Path from Wall Street to Institutional Consulting 10:15 Mission-Aligned Investing: Client Adoption and Common Concerns 16:00 Navigating the Financial Performance Question 22:10 Manager Due Diligence: Evaluating ESG and Impact Strategies 29:45 Asset Class Differences: Public vs. Private Markets for Impact 36:20 Systems-Level Investing and Systemic Risk Management 42:00 Emerging Managers and Access to Institutional Capital 48:30 The Endowment Impact Benchmark and Reporting Best Practices 55:10 Rapid Fire: Advice for Institutional Investors and Young Professionals   -   *Disclaimer* The information presented in this episode reflects the views and opinions of the guest and does not constitute investment, legal, or regulatory advice. The Intentional Endowments Network does not endorse any specific products, services, or organizations referenced herein.