Alyssa Ely

Alyssa Ely is an impact investment advisor and gender-lens specialist dedicated to using capital markets for social justice.1 She has expertise in several areas:

Professional Background

• Impact Investor & Advisor: Ely works independently supporting and funding women- and non-binary-led ventures that aim to improve the world.2

• Gender Lens Investment Specialist: She serves as a Gender Lens Investment Advisor at Criterion Institute.2

• Senior Researcher: Ely holds a position as a Senior Researcher at Criterion Institute.

Areas of Focus

Ely's work centers on:

1. Impact investing with a focus on gender equity
2. Supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, particularly women and non-binary individuals
3. Analyzing power dynamics in investment processes
4. Advocating for more inclusive and equitable capital allocation

Thought Leadership

Ely has contributed to discussions on reforming impact investing practices. She emphasizes the need for investors to share power, not just capital, in order to create meaningful change.1 Her perspectives include:

• Highlighting the disparity in venture capital investments for women-led and minority-led startups
• Advocating for inclusive screening and due diligence processes in investment
• Promoting the integration of process metrics to evaluate power dynamics in investment models

Ely's work aligns with broader efforts to use capital markets as a tool for advancing social justice and creating more equitable economic systems.13