Faith Driven Investor

Jason Illian, founder of Highmount Capital, discusses his recent investment in Dude Perfect, a family-friendly sports entertainment group. He shares insights on balancing family values with career ambitions, emphasizing authenticity in content creation. The conversation highlights Dude Perfect's community trust and potential for growth, while exploring the impact of faith-driven investing on culture. Illian also reflects on humility and identity, stressing that true value lies in faith rather than mere achievements.

In this episode of the Faith Driven Investor podcast, Richard Cunningham and John Coleman interview Brandon Pizzurro, Chief Investment Officer at Guidestone, to discuss the state of the US markets. They cover topics such as the performance of the S&P 500, the dominance of big tech companies, the potential for a small cap rotation, the impact of artificial intelligence on the market, and the possibility of rate cuts and inflation. The conversation also provides insights into the current trends and dynamics in the US markets and discusses the possibility of a soft landing for the economy, with declining rates and inflation reaching a more normalized level.Brandon Pizzurro leads the investment-related lines of business within GuideStone. In this capacity, he serves as President and Chief Investment Officer of GuideStone Capital Management, LLC, the investment adviser to GuideStone Funds, and President of GuideStone Investment Services, which provides investment advisory services to nonprofit institutions. He is also an Interested Director of the Board of Directors of GuideStone Funds. Mr. Pizzurro is a member of the executive leadership team for the parent company, GuideStone, and chairs both the organization’s Committee on Faith-Based Investing, which directs GuideStone’s faith-based research efforts, and the Investment Management, Allocation and Risk Committee, which approves all new investments for use on the GuideStone platform. He is also a voting member of GuideStone’s Institutional Portfolio Committee. 

Aimee Minnich and Jeff Johns are trailblazers in the Faith Driven Investor Movement with deep ties to the Impact Foundation. They discuss the power of donor-advised funds for aligning investments with faith-driven values. Aimee shares insights from her recent IRS testimony on regulatory changes impacting charitable giving. The duo highlights the transformative potential of impact investing and community-driven philanthropy, showcasing real-life success stories and innovative financial tools that create lasting change.

Henry Kaestner, an expert in African markets, joins investor Andrew Firman to shed light on Africa's investment potential. They discuss the unique opportunities and challenges across East and West Africa, emphasizing the continent's thriving entrepreneurial spirit and innovative solutions. The conversation highlights the importance of spiritual integration in business and the need for mentorship for local founders. Listeners are encouraged to consider faith-driven investments that not only yield returns but also foster economic development.

In this enlightening discussion, Sam Rhee, a former CEO and co-CIO at Morgan Stanley who founded the fintech platform Endowus, shares his incredible journey in fintech and faith. He reflects on how the biblical story of Abraham and Lot inspired him to prioritize a colleague's success over his own ambitions. The conversation navigates the balance between faith and career in finance, the emotional complexities of ambition and friendship, and the urgent need for addressing retirement savings issues in Asia, all while emphasizing sacrificial choices that lead to true victory.

Brightlight’s Chief Investment Officer, Tim Macready, discusses the theology behind faith-driven investing, corporate engagement for good, growth trends in the market. Insights on market disparities, AI influence, economic recovery post-COVID, and Christian financial trust and contentment.

Join Chuck Welden, co-founder of Weldenfield, a real estate firm dedicated to multifamily properties and community connections, as he shares insights on faith-driven investing. Chuck discusses the significance of spiritual values in investment strategies and highlights how measuring social impact is just as crucial as financial success. He explores tenant satisfaction and the balance between profitability and community well-being. Listeners will learn how to navigate the current real estate landscape with faith and a commitment to serving others.

Public equities investor, Matt Monson, discusses market trends, AI impact, interest rates, and international conflicts. Importance of corporate engagement and proxy voting for faith-driven investors. Reflects on Passover lessons from Scripture.

Tony Minopoli, President of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors, and Andrew Abela, Professor of Marketing, delve into Faith Driven Investing in the Catholic world. Topics include ethical investing guidelines, shaping corporate cultures with faith values, virtues in business, and aligning business practices with Catholic teachings for sustainable investments.

Bob Doll, CEO of Crossmark, discusses his 2024 market predictions, cautioning against optimism and highlighting the potential for a mild recession. The podcast explores economic analysis, Federal Reserve speculations, geopolitical impacts on markets, and growth trends in faith-driven investing.