In 2016, Confluence held our 6th Annual Practitioners Gathering in Boston, Massachusetts under the theme entitled, “Finance and Democracy”. So much has happened in the past seven years that 2016 feels like a past life. I remember walking the halls of The Charles Hotel in Cambridge feeling proud to have then President Obama’s Climate Policy team joining us as we looked optimistically ahead to the creation of a new Clean Energy Finance Center at the Department of Energy, and, at the strong potential for our first woman President and one whom would continue to carry the climate agenda forward. At that time Bernie Sanders was still in the running for the democratic ticket and Senator Warren was on fire about corporate reform. She spoke at the conference, providing an impassioned keynote address about the importance of supporting working families. As an outcome we launched the Active Owners Working Group on the spot.
… A lot can happen in seven years.
For our return to Boston, we themed the 2023 Gathering around the concept of Emergence. Emergence describes a process in which collective behaviors emerge in complex systems, behaviors not possible at the individual level; the sum of these is greater than the parts.
If the past seven years taught us anything, it's that anything can happen. We are in a period of massive global transformation accelerated by climate change, a sci-fi technological revolution, and massive global social unrest. Individuals around the world have more insight than ever before into the lives of others, the structure of power, and an ability to create influence through social media in ways that disrupt the western intellectual canon. We find ourselves in a period of rapid and unprecedented emergence.
Within the values aligned investing movement, new entrepreneurs are building disruptive companies, visionary private equity managers are revolutionizing term sheets, and investors are collaborating in unprecedented partnerships that no longer foster competition but rather profound collaboration. All these activities lay the foundation for a new economy in ways that remain yet unimaginable.
And yet, as we face coinciding climatic, economic, and political crises we find ourselves in an emergent moment. Despite an uncertain future, there’s no denying that a new economy is forming and that each of our institutions can play an important role. This new economy must be shaped through active ownership, transparency-based investment frameworks, disruptive companies, and by equitable financing structures. It can be deeply influenced by People’s movements and a loving commitment to our planet, human communities, and all life. The content of this year’s Practitioners Gathering resonated these ideas with real-world examples about the ways in which Confluence Members are building this powerful vision.
In an emergent process success and failure have equal value. Therefore, this year’s Gathering focused on sharing challenges and lessons learned, not just pitches and success stories. Our hope is that everyone that joined us left the event feeling stronger and more deeply committed to your communities and connected to this one.
A lot can happen in seven years…and now we have just seven years to reach our 2030 climate goals.
We look forward to seeing you at the next Practitioners Gathering, March 5-7, 2024, in Denver, Colorado in advance of the next U.S. Presidential election. Between now and then, let’s get to work!
Dana Lanza, President & CEO, Confluence Philanthropy
