What does a journey from engineering to finance reveal about the future of investing? In this episode, Joel Palathinkal engages with Harshad Lalit for a deep dive into the evolving world of impact investing and the powerful intersection of technology and finance.

Harshad brings a unique perspective, shaped by his engineering roots, a PhD, and his role at Rockefeller Capital Management. He shares how a technical mindset applies to developing sophisticated investment strategies and unpacks the complex world of ESG. We cut through the jargon to explore the real role of data, accounting standards, and indices in measuring corporate responsibility.

This is a forward-looking conversation on the trends shaping impact investing, the parallels between a PhD and the startup grind, and how algorithms can be tuned for both profit and purpose. If you're curious about how finance is being redefined, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• From Code to Capital: How an engineering and PhD background provides a unique, analytical edge in the world of high finance.
• Demystifying ESG: A clear-eyed look at the data, metrics, and standards behind impact investing and corporate social responsibility.
• The Rockefeller Strategy: Insights into how a legendary name in finance is adapting its investment approach for a values-driven future.
• The PhD vs. Startup Mindset: Exploring the surprising parallels between academic research and the challenges of building a business.
• Algorithms with a Conscience: How quantitative strategies are being applied to navigate social issues and generate sustainable returns.