Durreen Shahnaz

Background

About Durreen Shahnaz

As the Founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange (IIX) and IIX Foundation, my mission has always been to promote financial inclusivity and sustainability while making a positive social and environmental impact. At IIX, we’ve developed groundbreaking financial solutions that bridge the gap between traditional capital markets and underserved communities. Our initiatives focus on empowering women and underserved communities, a critical and often overlooked demographic in the financial industry. https://iixglobal.com/ Our accomplishments speak for themselves. We are proud to have pioneered the first social stock exchange and the largest investor matchmaking platform for impact investing in the world - Impact Partners™. Our Women's Livelihood Bond™ Series has received multiple awards for its impact, and we’ve even introduced an entirely new asset class through the Orange Bond Initiative™, which is listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX). We’ve also trained students from all over the world in Impact Investing and Sustainable finance through our Impact Institute™. To date, our work has spanned 53 countries, unlocked US$288 million of private-sector capital, and positively impacted over 159 million direct and household lives, and avoided over 1.83 million tons of carbon. Before founding IIX, I gained extensive experience in various fields, including investment banking, development work, and media. As an entrepreneur, I started and successfully sold oneNest, a New York-based e-marketplace for ethical handmade goods. Throughout my career, I’ve devoted myself to breaking down barriers and building bridges that connect underserved communities to the financial powerhouses of the world. Thanks to our work, millions of women, thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, governments, and impact stakeholders worldwide have had the opportunity to contribute to sustainable development and women's empowerment. I am proud to have been recognized as a pioneer in impact investing, social entrepreneurship, and women's leadership, receiving notable awards such as Oslo Business for Peace, Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and Eisenhower Fellowship. As the author of The Defiant Optimist™ – Daring to Fight Global Inequality, Reinvent Finance, and Invest in Women, my mission today remains focused on sharing insights about inclusion, equity, and enabling finance for the 99%. With a steadfast purpose of creating a positive impact in the world, I am driven by my defiant optimist spirit to create a brighter future for generations to come.