Durreen Shahnaz, founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange, shares her journey from Bangladesh to Wall Street and her mission to make the financial system work for those in need. Topics include childhood trades, challenges as a woman of color on Wall Street, empowering women through impact investing, investing in sustainable businesses, and a case of sustainable organic farming in Cambodia.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Durreen Shahnaz's experience growing up in socialist Bangladesh and working on Wall Street shaped her dedication to making the financial system work for those in need.
Durreen Shahnaz has successfully raised nearly $300 million in capital for women-run enterprises across 50 countries, using the power of capitalism for social good.
Deep dives
Durene Shehannaz's Journey from Bangladesh to Wall Street
Durene Shehannaz, the founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange, shares her inspiring story of going from Bangladesh to Wall Street. Growing up in a war-torn country, Durene witnessed the strength of women in keeping families and society together. She defied stereotypes by entering the male-dominated world of finance and faced gender discrimination along the way. Durene believes in creating an equitable financial system and has dedicated her work to raise millions of dollars for women-led startups. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive mindsets and redefining heroes in the financial world.
Inspired to Make a Difference in the Financial System
Durene Shehannaz was motivated to make a change in the global financial system after witnessing the 1987 financial crash. She decided to work with the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh to support women through easy-term loans. With her company's various financial products like the Women's Livelihood Bond and Orange Pawns, Durene has successfully raised nearly $300 million in capital for women-run enterprises across 50 countries. She believes in using the power of capitalism for social good and aims to raise over $10 billion for women startups by 2030.
Creating Positive Impact Through Financial Products
Durene Shehannaz's Impact Investment Exchange has had a significant impact on various businesses. For example, they supported Fuchsia, a direct-to-consumer brand of artisan footwear in South Asia, and helped struggling artisans earn fair wages. They also assisted AITIC Australia International Limited in introducing eco-friendly products like biodegisters and electromagnetic induction cookers, benefiting women who spend significant time in the kitchen sourcing fuel. Durene's vision of inclusive finance has proven successful, providing investors with diversified and resilient opportunities, while creating positive change in people's lives.
From Bangladesh to Wall Street and back again, the founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange talks to Devina Gupta.
Durreen Shahnaz explains how her childhood in socialist Bangladesh and then move to a job on Wall Street in the 1980s shaped the person and businesswoman she is today.
From trading stamps with her friends and buying pickles with the profit, she moved on to bigger trades at the heart of capitalism. What she learnt there set her up for a life dedicated to trying to make the financial system work for those most in need.
Presenter: Devina Gupta
Producer: Hannah Bewley
(Image: Durreen Shahnaz. Credit: Durreen Shahnaz)
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode