Scaling Investments into Social Impact
Welcome to the Scaling Investments into Social Impact Forum
We’re excited to have you with us today as we explore how investment can help address Aotearoa New Zealand’s most pressing social challenges.
This forum brings together leaders and practitioners from across the impact ecosystem—investors, enterprises, government, philanthropy, and intermediaries—to share ideas, spotlight proven models, and explore opportunities to scale investment into areas such as Māori economic participation, health, and ageing well.
Today’s programme includes panel discussions, case studies, and interactive sessions designed to inspire action and support investment that delivers both financial returns and meaningful social outcomes.
Scroll down for session details and speaker bios, and join us in making the most of this opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate for impact.
Agenda
12:30 pm
Registration & Check-in
1:00 pm
Forsyth Barr: Nau mai, Haere mai - Welcome
Katie Beith (Head of ESG, Forsyth Barr), and Simon Bowden, Head of Philanthropic Services, Forsyth Barr)
1:10 pm
Setting the Scene
MC: Denise Cosgrove, CEO, The Selwyn Foundation
1:20 pm
Future of Ageing
Moderator: Denise Cosgrove, CEO, The Selwyn Foundation
The Selwyn Foundation: Hon. David Clunliffe, Chair
Elli Cares: Angela Edwards, Founder
Reframing Ageing as an Impact Opportunity
Our understanding of ageing has long been shaped by industrial and Western paradigms. Drawing from Pacific worldviews that see older age as a phase of renewed contribution and wisdom, this session challenges us to reconsider ageing as a dynamic, investable stage of life.
The Untapped Case for Investment in Later Life
With over 80% of healthcare spending occurring in the final two years of life, why hasn’t ageing become a core impact investment class? This session explores the cost-benefit potential of reimagined care models that restore dignity, connection, and intergenerational value.
Tech, Care, and Intergenerational Collaboration
How can technology enable not just efficiency, but care with meaning—connecting remote families, supporting long-term condition management, and fostering more inclusive systems of ageing? Featuring leaders from the Selwyn Foundation and Elli Cares, we explore what’s next in health tech and elder care.
2:00 pm
Global Perspective: Outperforming Non-Impact Investments with a Portfolio Approach
Moderator: Denise Cosgrove, CEO, The Selwyn Foundation
Paul Ramsay Foundation: Ben Smith, Head, Impact Investing
Paul Ramsay Foundation (PRF) is an impact investing leader in Australia, applying a ‘total impact approach’ across its portfolios. PRF has committed $140m to impact investments. In addition, $60m has been committed to impact-first investments through its evergreen fund.
Integral in delivering PRF’s impact investment approach is Ben Smith, who will share his expertise and experience in both the Australia and UK markets, including:
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PRF’s experience: Our journey to date including lessons learned
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Deep diving on our Endowment Impact Fund: Investments, impact, return
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Our Fund strategy
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Investing globally
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Building pipeline and ecosystem development
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Our work within the Australian market: How government have / haven’t intervened and how this contrasts to the UK
2:30 pm
Afternoon Tea Break
3:00 pm
Māori Economic Participation and Development
Moderator: Jamie Newth (CEO, Soul Capital) | IIN (Board)
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu: David Tikao, Investment Manager of Endowments
EnviroStrat: David Plummer (Independent Director), Rebecca Barclay (Venture Projects Director)
The Māori economy provides an enormous opportunity to catalyse Aotearoa's economy and society. However, how can investment be applied to create high-value jobs and sectors, beyond narrow economic growth measures. How can investments and impact models be reshaped and scaled, to create social impact that benefit whānau and communities?
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What does scaling social impact mean for you and your people?
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Reflections on iwi and mana whenua engagement, lessons learnt
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Navigating the long term aspirations of social impact against investment parameters e.g. liquidity, financial risk and return vs impact, trade-offs
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Difference between investing into real assets (e.g. land, sea) compared with small business participation
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Initiatives and blended finance models that support investment pipeline, ecosystem and workforce development
4:00 pm
Health and Mental Wellbeing
Moderator: Richard Catherall, The Selwyn Foundation
Ember Innovations: Emily Preston, Innovation Lead
MQB Partners: Caroline Quay
Impact in health is fundamentally intergenerational and cumulative – requiring longer time horizons and patient capital. Are we ready to develop investment vehicles and partnership models that value cumulative return – on wellbeing, resilience, and systems cost-avoidance – as much as immediate outputs?
Co-creation and lived experience are not “inputs” – they are part of the risk mitigation and value creation strategy. Rather than treating communities and frontline organisations as beneficiaries, the most credible and investable approaches centre them as co-designers and risk-holders. In a sector where trust and uptake are critical to success, this isn’t just equity – it is a smart investment logic.
Impact challenges us to redefine value – not just measure it differently. Emily will introduce us to the mental health space which exposes the limits of traditional value models. What counts as success? Stability, participation, cultural connection, or healing? These are not always quantifiable, yet they are essential to societal resilience. Caroline will challenge us to recognise that the different risk we take in impact is also a different belief about where value lies, who defines it, and how it is sustained over time. This isn’t just a shift in metrics – it’s a shift in mindset.
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5:00 pm
Event Summary and Themes
MC: Denise Cosgrove, CEO, The Selwyn Foundation
5:10 pm
Collective Actions & Next Steps
Impact Investing Network
5:20 pm
Networking Drinks, Programme Ends
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7:00 pm
Event Ends
Meet the Speakers
Denise Cosgrove
The Selwyn Foundation, Chief Executive
Event MC
The Selwyn Foundation is an independent registered charity which champions initiatives that enable respectful ageing for vulnerable older people and is the owner/operator of Auckland’s historic Selwyn Village.
Since her appointment as Chief Executive in 2022, Denise has led the Foundation’s new direction as a funder and co-investor and leads its work with strategic partners to deliver social impact at scale for seniors most in need.
Hon David Cunliffe QSO
The Selwyn Foundation, Chair
Future of Aging - Speaker
Hon David Cunliffe QSO is Chair of the board, appointed in early 2020. A former Minister of the Crown and Leader of the Opposition, David brings deep expertise in strategic development, governance, and sustainable growth across public, private, and community sectors.
He has held leadership and governance roles with the Asia New Zealand Foundation, New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust, and the Anglican Church. A Fulbright Scholar and former diplomat, David is now a partner in a leading management consulting firm, following previous roles with The Boston Consulting Group and studies at Harvard University.
Angela Edwards
Elli Cares, Founder
Future of Aging - Speaker
Angela Edwards is a Dunedin-based health tech entrepreneur focused on empowering people with cognitive impairments to live independently and with dignity. With over 15 years of global experience delivering complex digital solutions, she brings deep expertise in user experience and inclusive design across sectors including banking, retail, air travel, and health.
She is the founder of Elli Cares, an award-winning social enterprise transforming dementia support through smart, compassionate technology. The Elli Cares app provides personalised reminders, location tracking, and AI-driven tools for users and caregivers. Angela’s leadership has earned national and international recognition across health, tech, and social innovation.
Ben Smith
Paul Ramsay Foundation
Global Perspective - Speaker
Ben leads impact, sustainable, and responsible investing at the Paul Ramsay Foundation, where he oversees the endowment and funds. He also chairs the investment committees for NatWest Social and Community Capital and NAB’s impact investment fund. In addition, he is Chair of Australia’s Foundations Group for Impact Investing and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Centre for Social Impact, Flinders University.
Previously, Ben was Head of Impact Investment at the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and established UnLtd’s impact funds division. He co-authored the CFA UK’s Impact and Investing Certificate and has lectured on social finance at multiple UK universities.
Jamie Newth
Soul Capital, CEO
Economic Participation - Moderator
Dr Jamie Newth is the founder and CEO of Soul Capital, which manages two impact investment funds and leads a range of initiatives to strengthen Aotearoa New Zealand’s impact investing ecosystem.
Jamie is also a Board member of the Impact Investing Network.
David Plummer
EnviroStrat, Independent Director
Economic Participation - Panelist
David brings 30 years of career experience as an operating CEO in private companies and as a private equity portfolio manager. He now specialises in private equity and alternative investments, working with a wide range of clients including long-term trusts, family offices, Superannuation Fund managers, and private equity funds.
David has a special interest in the practical application of "ESG" and responsible investment governance and on the opportunities in New Zealand for environmental and agritech investment.
Rebecca Barclay
EnviroStrat, Venture Projects Director
Economic Participation - Panelist
Rebecca is a marine policy and project delivery specialist with over 19 years’ experience turning bold ideas into practical outcomes that support ocean regeneration and emerging blue economies. She has worked across central and local government, iwi, and the consulting sector, including as lead policy analyst for Sea Change – Tai Timu Tai Pari, Aotearoa’s first marine spatial plan.
Now Project Director for Blue Ventures, Rebecca brings together science, community, and industry to drive nature-positive aquaculture and coastal restoration. A keen diver, she holds a BSc in Environmental Science, a GradDip in Marine Studies, and an MLS in Ocean Governance.
David Tikao
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
Economic Participation - Panelist
David is the Investment Manager of Endowments at Ngāi Tahu Holdings, the commercial arm of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. He was previously Executive Director of Whai Rawa Fund Limited, the iwi’s retirement savings scheme, and has been part of the Te Rūnanga Group since 2011. Before returning to Aotearoa, David spent 20 years in finance and banking in London, working with RBS/NatWest and HSBC.
He is a Director of Te Poho o Tamatea Ltd, serves on the Toitū Tahua Leadership Group, and is a grant panel member for the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund.
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Richard Catherall
The Selwyn Foundation
Health & Wellbeing - Moderator
Richard Catherall is a specialist in investment innovation, working alongside pioneers of blended returns and bold yet pragmatic strategies to achieve sustainability goals.
Originally from Lancashire, he brings over 20 years of experience at the intersection of public, private, and purpose-driven sectors. His background includes impact investment transactions across public services, international development, and strategic readiness.
Invited to Aotearoa New Zealand by Auckland Council, Richard has dedicated the past five years to shaping innovation and investment approaches - spanning the circular economy, climate transitions, and complex infrastructure. An MBA and graduate in Law and International Politics, he lectures on the AUT MBA programme and serves on nonprofit boards.
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Emily Preston
Ember Innovations, Innovation Lead
Health & Wellbeing - Speaker
Emily has spent the past two decades working in social innovation, social enterprise development and non-profit capability-building roles, with a focus on education and wellbeing. She also holds governance and advisory roles within the mental health and wellbeing space.
Emily loves to look at complex issues from different angles, listen to the human stories and experiences behind statistics, and explore what might be possible. She is endlessly curious and loves a good yarn, as well as a logic model or system map. Emily is passionate about ensuring the voices of those most impacted by challenges are central to the development of solutions.
Caroline Quay
MQB Partners, Managing Partner
Health & Wellbeing - Speaker
Caroline is an experienced investor in the healthtech and biotech sectors, with over 20 years of strategic and operational leadership in the healthcare industry. She is the Managing Partner and co-founder of MQB Partners, a global investment management firm that originates, invests in, and manages healthtech opportunities worldwide.
Previously, Caroline was Chief Investment Officer at Cure Kids Ventures, New Zealand’s leading seed and early-stage healthcare impact investment fund. She spent more than a decade as Global General Counsel at Fisher & Paykel Healthcare (NZX/ASX: FPH) and was a founding senior executive at Aroa Biosurgery (ASX: ARX). Caroline also invests across various asset classes, with a particular focus on innovation that improves health outcomes and delivers measurable impact.
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