Inside the Rope with David Clark Ep 202: Claudia Kwan - Returns Without Compromise: Investing for Impact and Outperformance
Aug 4, 2025
Claudia Kwan, Managing Director at North Star Impact Funds and a leading figure in sustainable capital, discusses the evolution of impact investing. She highlights how it now competes with traditional strategies while delivering social and environmental benefits. Claudia shares her journey in the investment sector, emphasizing the importance of innovative capital allocation. The conversation covers challenges in measuring positive impacts and the significance of local knowledge in Australia’s unique investment landscape. Great insights on balancing economic returns with social responsibility!
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Claudia's Education and China Experience
- Claudia Kwan studied commerce and law in Sydney before transferring to study finance and Mandarin in China.
- She witnessed China's rapid GDP growth and poverty reduction firsthand during her time there.
Impact Investing Defined
- Impact investing focuses on companies delivering measurable social or environmental returns plus financial returns.
- It differs from ESG by concentrating on what the company does, not just how it operates.
Critical Minerals and Impact Investing
- Investing in critical minerals is justified by their key role in global environmental targets.
- North Star only invests in Australian companies to ensure responsible and transparent extraction practices.