Let’s Talk Impact with Otho E. Kerr III @The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
For this podcast episode we are joined by Otho E. Kerr III, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Community Impact Investing at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Otho works to connect capital with innovative ideas in the areas of climate-related risks to low- and moderate-income populations, the economic drivers of health, and household financial well-being. Prior to joining the New York Fed, Otho was the Chief Investment Officer for Acumen, an international impact investment firm that invests in early-stage companies whose products and services enable the poor to transform their lives. Previously, Otho was a founding partner and Chief Operating Officer with Encourage Capital, a solutions-oriented impact investment firm that seeks to leverage private capital to solve critical environmental and social problems.
Otho has worked in investment banking and asset management for over thirty years, starting at Goldman Sachs & Co. He began his professional career as an attorney with Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Otho received an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from The Harvard Law School and was the first member of his class to receive the Dartmouth Alumni Award. He is on the Board of Trustees of the NAACP Foundation, the Board of Directors of the Hetrick-Martin Institute, the nation’s largest LGBTQ youth services organization, and the Board of Directors of the HATCH. He also serves on the National Academy of Medicine’s Advisory Committee on A Culture of Health Program. Otho enjoys running, skiing, and travel, and is an active member of TED.
Click here to listen to the full episode on Spotify.
ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Let’s Talk Impact is a podcast series that explores the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. Hosted by Justyna Kedra and produced by The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and WERULE, the podcast features interviews with a diverse range of changemakers. From government officials to activists and entrepreneurs, these guests share their insights on the evolving definition of impactful work and the motivations driving their efforts. By focusing on the stories behind the initiatives, Let’s Talk Impact aims to inspire and inform listeners about the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change in the world.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Justyna Kedra, the founder of WERULE, received her BFA degree from Parsons the New School where she successfully finished their toughest major: Fashion Design. Since then she worked in Public Relations with celebrities ranging from Jeremy Scott, Lady Gaga to Madonna at People’s Revolution under the wing of Kelly Cutrone. Justyna is also no stranger to the corporate world working for 6 years in financial services at American Express generating over 20 Billion in acquisitions for Centurion, Platinum, Green Cards as well features such as their most successful “Employee Card” treatment. She also served as an advisor to the American Express’ President of US Consumer Services on topics related to the team’s culture.
She is a mentor & a team member at The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and a mentor at the Tory Burch Foundation, the AARP Foundation x Bridge for Billions program for aspiring founders over 50. Because of her work, she was recognized as the youngest Champion of Change at the United Nations. A book she co-authored with Erika De La Cruz, Editor in Chief at The La Girl, has become a bestseller across multiple categories and is available at Barnes and Noble.
Justyna also hosts a podcast, a collaboration between WERULE and The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, called Let’s Talk Impact, which was in the top 5% most shared podcasts globally according to Spotify Wrapped.
ABOUT IMPACT ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE:
The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative (IEI) at The New School fosters a transformative approach to business and social change. We equip students with the skills to create innovative, inclusive, and sustainable ventures that address pressing global challenges. Through our interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and strong community partnerships, we empower students to become agents of positive change and build a more equitable world.
ABOUT WERULE:
WERULE is a global platform dedicated to connecting individuals with life-changing mentors. Founded in 2015, they started by sharing stories of successful female entrepreneurs, becoming a recognized resource for women seeking inspiration and guidance. Today, WERULE offers a wider range of resources, including an AI-powered mentorship app used by businesses and organizations worldwide. Their mission is to make mentorship accessible to everyone, regardless of background or stage in life. They believe in the transformative power of mentorship and strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.