NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rethink Capital Partners, the impact investing arm of Seavest Investment Group, announced two new team members across strategy and fundraising: Amy Nelson as Chief Strategy Officer and Alison Smith as Partner, focused on growth. The new hires demonstrate the firm’s rapid growth over the past year, including the launch of two new strategies: Rethink Food and Rethink Community.
Rethink Capital Partners, one of the pioneer impact investing platforms in the US, now has majority women partners, 55% compared to the 4.9% US standard. The firm has invested in women for over 7 years, starting with the launch of Rethink Impact, a fund run by Managing Partners Jenny Abramson and Heidi Patel, which invests in women-led companies. The additions of Nelson and Smith reflect a similar pattern for Rethink Capital Partners and the firm’s mission for diversity both internally and through investments.
“We are witnessing an exciting moment in the impact investing world; major players are embracing the opportunity to combine potential financial returns with the capacity to help make positive social and environmental impact. Rethink Capital Partners prides itself in being at the forefront of this movement with our history in the space. We have exciting goals to develop our brand, grow our funds, and remain leaders in the impact world. To continue our mission and work, I’m thrilled to announce Alison Smith and Amy Nelson joining our team,” said Rick Segal, CEO of Rethink Capital Partners. “Both Amy and Alison bring experience, curated skills and a wide network to the firm. With them on our team, Rethink hopes to be well positioned to continue growing our impact and influence for years to come.”
Amy Nelson joined Rethink as Chief Strategy Officer. In her role, Nelson will support the continued growth of the platforms’ current strategies, drive the development of new strategies, lead strategic partnerships, and further develop impact frameworks.
Prior to Rethink, Nelson was the CEO of Venture for America, a non-profit fellowship program for recent college graduates launching careers as entrepreneurs in emerging U.S. cities. Nelson received her MBA in Social Innovation and Impact from New York University and her B.A. in Philosophy and Government from Claremont McKenna College. She currently sits on the boards of the West Harlem Innovation Network, Partners for Justice, Generation Citizen, Raise for Good, and Safe Haven Medical Outreach.
“Rethink has been a leading voice in impact VC for nearly a decade. The Rethink model has helped accelerate the success of fund managers and shown that you can build a high-impact fund, without conceding returns. I'm thrilled to join the firm to help focus on growing our current strategies, while expanding thoughtfully into new domains,” said Amy Nelson, Chief Strategy Officer of Rethink Capital Partners.
Alison Smith joined Rethink in May 2021 as Partner. In her role, Smith will lead growth tactics for the new and existing strategies. Smith will help grow Rethink’s thought leadership, head business development and expand fundraising capabilities through the development of new relationships.
Prior to Rethink, Smith worked as the Managing Director at Cornerstone Capital, a registered impact investing advisory firm. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Marketing and Membership at TIGER 21, the network for high-net-worth investors. Smith received her MBA in Finance and Marketing at Fordham University and her B.A. at Ithaca College. Smith served on the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Advisory Board and is a Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor and adjunct professor.
“I have been following Rethink’s evolution and growth for ten years. It is an honor to join the team and be surrounded by some of the most talented VC and real estate minds. I have seen investors be consistently impressed by Rethink’s ability to choose great companies and entrepreneurs’ appreciation for guidance from the Rethink team which has helped them work to achieve their full ability. Rethink is a leader in the impact investment space and I’m ecstatic to be part of the team,” said Alison Smith, Partner at Rethink Capital Partners.
About Rethink Capital Partners and Seavest Investment Group, LLC
Seavest Investment Group is a multi-strategy investment management firm that invests in real estate and venture capital with a social impact lens. Rethink Capital Partners is the impact investment platform within Seavest that oversees and facilitates the development of a suite of impact investment strategies. These focus on financial and social returns including gender equity, education, health, environmental sustainability, economic empowerment and community development. Rethink Capital has launched Rethink Education, Rethink Impact, Rethink Food and Rethink Community. For more information, visit www.rethink.vc.
