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Lara Metcalf
Lara Metcalf is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in finance, impact investing, and social entrepreneurship. She currently serves as a Venture Partner at TSEF - The Social Entrepreneurs' Fund, a role she has held since December 2018.3 TSEF is an early-stage venture capital fund that invests in fintech, health tech, and human/social services tech companies focused on improving lives in underserved and low-income communities.3
In her current position at TSEF, Metcalf is part of the investment team and serves on the Investment Committee. The fund targets market-rate financial returns alongside measurable positive social and environmental impact.3
Prior to her role at TSEF, Metcalf's career has included several notable positions:
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Senior Managing Director at Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (September 2022 - Present): In this role, she works with early-stage, high-impact social enterprises, providing funding and support.3
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CFO/COO at The Engine (November 2020 - June 2021): The Engine is a venture capital fund launched by MIT that focuses on "tough tech" startups addressing climate change, human health, and advanced systems.3
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Managing Director at Social Finance (2013-2018): Here, she led the development of over $70 million in pay-for-success investments addressing various social issues.1
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Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government (2009-2013).12
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Managing Director at Credit Suisse, where she spent 18 years on Wall Street structuring complex credit transactions.1
Metcalf's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.2
Throughout her career, Metcalf has been recognized for her contributions to the field of impact investing. She was named a "2020 Kellogg Youn Impact Fellow" and was included in the "100 Women in Fintech" list by 100 Women in Finance.2
In addition to her primary roles, Metcalf serves on several advisory boards, including MIT Solve Innovation Futures, Zeal Capital Partners, and Colorful Capital.3 She is also a board member at Longfellow Investment Management Co., a majority women-owned investment management firm.3
Lara Metcalf's career demonstrates a strong commitment to using financial expertise and investment strategies to drive positive social impact and support underserved communities.