The First Balfour Toastmasters Club was officially recognized by Toastmasters International in JanuaryLopez Group Foundation Inc. (LGFI) recently conducted a learning session on impact investment for the Lopez CSR Community (LCC).

LGFI invited two speakers who are global professionals in foreign capital markets—Jennifer Viloria, founder and CEO of IISLA Ventures, and Lawrence Ang, director at Resonance Frontier Market Solutions.

Viloria and Ang discussed practices where grant-giving becomes strategic and considers the opportunities offered by impact investments in leveraging or expanding capital base.

The speakers also reminded participants about typical governance and behavior that investees need to adopt in order to get the support of impact investors, who look for social and environmental benefits other than financial returns on their investments.

After the talks, an open forum was held, followed by CSR reports from four LCC members: Lyka Aguilar of Sikat Solar Challenge Foundation Inc., Martin Daza of Mount Apo Foundation Inc., managing director Susan Afan of ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc. and executive director Dr. Rodel Lasco of OML Center. (Story/Photos by: Dario Pagcaliwagan)