The Global Echo Foundation is the culmination of three years of work where social entrepreneur and environmental advocate Philippe Cousteau endeavored to find a way to leverage financial markets and Wall Street to do 'good.' During the course of conversation lamenting the state of the economy and how difficult it is to raise money for important causes, a friend of Philippe's asked him, "have you ever thought about getting involved in financial markets?" That conversation was the start of more than a year of networking and learning about different types of funds that lead to Philippe connecting with AdvisorShares, one of the leading providers of actively managed Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
Building a partnership with AdvisorShares, he decided to launch an ETF because it is a financial instrument that anyone can participate in. From the beginning, efforts were focused on a sustainable investing strategy that would also generate new philanthropic dollars.
The goal of the Global Echo Foundation is to provide resources for work in three key areas. These areas include support for the lives of women and children, the expansion of micro-enterprise and education for environmental sustainability on a global basis. In addition to its direct giving, the Foundation represents a transformation in philanthropy with the vision that sustainable positive change can come from the blending of both philanthropic action and social enterprise.
The Foundation will be governed by a board of distinguished donors and social investors. The Global Echo Foundation will provide both investment and charitable contributions to social venture companies and nonprofits which have established a record of making positive change in their respective countries and fields.
Explorer, social entrepreneur and environmental advocate, Philippe Cousteau is the 31-year-old son of Jan and Philippe Cousteau Sr., and the grandson of Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau. As a member of the legendary family, Philippe is continuing...
J. Douglas Holladay is a co-founder of Park Avenue Equity Partners, L.P. with offices in New York and Washington. Park Avenue Equity Partners is a private equity fund which makes equity investments in operating companies with revenues...
David Sontag was, until this past June, the Wesley Wallace Professor of Communication Studies and the Director of the Writing for the Screen and Stage Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of...
Jill Belasco is an accomplished entrepreneur and corporate executive whose leadership and impact are widely recognized in the cosmetic and fragrance industry. She also is a spirited advocate and philanthropist for clean water...
Nick Segal is a director of Seavest Capital Partners ("Seavest"), a private investment company that invests in early and growth-stage companies primarily in the education, healthcare, consumer technology and media sectors.
Lyndon Haviland brings broad expertise in management consulting, health policy, advocacy, social marketing, corporate social responsibility, and branding, as well as applied research design and evaluation.