53 - The Redemptive Side of Investing | Derek Kessen

How can an investment be a tool for social or spiritual good? Investing becomes redemptive when investment capital is directed toward companies or projects that align with the investor's values and contribute to social, spiritual, or environmental causes. Redemptive investing is not just to earn a financial return but also to create a positive impact on individuals and communities through socially and spiritually responsible business practices and investing strategies.

In this episode, we hear from Derek Kessen of Heron Ventures (formerly Legacy Ventures Partners), a redemptive company that provides debt and equity investments specializing in frontier and emerging markets. Derek talks about their philosophy of redemptive investing prioritizing the common good, and making a positive impact on the world while still generating returns. Derek offers insight into the challenges and opportunities of investing in redemptive business ventures, as well as the importance of intentionality and discipleship in investments. Click now and learn how they are working to reach their goal of creating jobs, and seeing economic and social flourishing.

Key Points From This Episode:

• What’s one thing that Derek is passionate about right now?
• Derek talks about his background, education, and his first job dealing with mortgage loans.
• What made Derek quit his first job?
• How Derek landed a job with the “good guys of finance”?
• What is a redemptive company and how did Derek grow professionally and spiritually?
• What made Derek leave the company after 13 years?
• Derek discusses the consulting company they’ve established, its mission, and its goals.
• What type of investments does the company make in businesses?
• Derek shares stories that highlight the redemptive side of investing.
• Derek tells his personal story with the redemptive business as a backdrop, how he has grown and changed as well as his journey of generosity.
• What is the most important thing that Derek would want to be remembered for?
• Derek answers the mentor-minute questions.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Derek Kessen on LinkedIn

Authentic Lives: Overcoming the Problem of Hidden Identity in Outreach to Restrictive Nations by Thomas Hale

The Steward Investor by Don Simmons

The Kingdom Investor Podcast on LinkedIn

About Derek Kessen

Derek is the Managing Partner of Legacy Ventures Partners, a venture capital firm that invests in Small & Medium Enterprises ("SMEs") in frontier and emerging markets in Africa and Asia. He also provides consulting and entrepreneurship training as the Founder of OnCenter Consulting in Chicago and a Core Team member of B4T.org in South Africa.

Derek has volunteered for the Mizzou Alumni Association for 13 years as an officer of the alumni chapter board in Chicago. As the chapter President (2011-2013, 2017-2019), Derek established a scholarship endowment, which has now grown to over $40,000. In 2013, Derek received MAA's Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award following the transformation of the Chicago chapter’s digital platform.

Derek studied Finance at Mizzou and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.