On Wednesday, March 2nd, Margaret Isa Butler, a private equity and real estate lawyer at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, proudly hosted her second womenβs salon in order to toast to International Womenβs Day and to discuss impact investments. The well planned out event took place in a private room with a beautifully decorated back patio located at New York’s very own restaurant, Michaelβs.
The evening consisted of delicious hors dβoeuvres such as mini crab cakes, fried shrimp, tasty steak samplers and mini spring rolls. There were also quite a few influential women who attended including Tami Kesselman, Founder of SolveForGood and a prominent thought leader in the impact investing space and Tanya Rivero, Host of Wall Street Journalβs Lunch Break.
A glass of complimentary wine later, Margaret thanked every attendee for coming. βWelcome to todays salon,β she started. βA great compliment to philanthropy is impact investing so I thought we should talk about that today.β
She went on to say that she speaks to investors βthatΒ solve today’s most pressing social issues, ranging from environmental conservation to healthcare and education, but they don’t know how to go about it. I believe that if we have those conversations in this group, we can connect the problem-solvers and opportunities in order to support each other. So today, inspired by you, I have launched an impact investing vehicle for my family that will be focused on expanding opportunities for women and families, as well as social infrastructure and place-making initiatives.β
After sharing her exciting news, Margaret than gave the floor to Tami Kesselman who spoke about the importance of impact investing and how it can generate environmental andΒ social impacts complimentary to a financialΒ return.
βWhats exciting about impact investment is that weβre starting to see that itβs not an asset class,βΒ said Kesselman.
Additional guests in attendance included:Β Anne Anquillare,Β Meg Bradt, Leeann Brzozowski, Dr. Chantal Line Carpentier, Mari Capolongo, Alina Casner, Wendy Craft, Xiomara Frans-Cuber, Lauren Din, Tracy Doyle, Carrie Durant, Elise Fabbro, Corinne Faria, Simone Farhi, Julie Gionfriddo, Nell Hanlon, Dr. Milana Hogan, Colette Iagrossi, Melissa Kalt, Celina Kuouch, Marissa Lippert, Jennifer Maloney-Prezioso, Rachel Marshak, Maleeha Metla, Pamela Minetti, Jackie Ng, Won Palisoul, Robyn Polansky, Elizabeth O’Neill, Angela Lockhart Raitzin, Leesa Rowland, Adrienne Smith, Raphaelle Tisserand, Jennifer Van Ness, Patricia Keim WeingardΒ and Cathy Yoon.
Margaret Isa Butler created this monthly women only salon series to bring the most influential female leaders in business, philanthropy, fashion, music, and entertainment into one room. Each time the women gather, they enjoy lite bites and enlightened and lively discussions about cultural concerns and women’s issues.
Photo credits to Patrick McCullan.