In this episode, our guest Janine Firpo and I explore how women can own their power with their investments and have them better reflect their values, especially around climate collapse. We dive into Janine’s transitions from a career in tech to global development, to impact investing, and how that shift inspired her to co-found Invest for Better, a nonprofit empowering women to take control of their financial futures. You’ll hear about how small investing circles are helping women build confidence, how Janine’s book Activate Your Money came to life with the help of over 150 contributors, and why she believes financial freedom is the next frontier of women’s empowerment. We also discuss how early investing—even just $100 a month—can transform your future, and what it means to redefine retirement and live a purpose-driven life.

Meet Our Guest

Janine Firpo is an accomplished speaker, author, and social entrepreneur, with a long history of working at the intersection of women and their money. From the early years of Apple Computer to senior positions with Hewlett-Packard, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Janine has always found herself making an impact.

In 2017 she left a successful 35+ year career in technology and international development to focus on how women can create a more just and equitable society through their financial investments. Her book, Activate Your Money: Invest to Grow Your Wealth and Build a Better World, was published by Wiley in May 2021. Later that year, she co-founded Invest for Better, a nonprofit that is catalyzing a movement in which millions of professional women are educated, enabled, and empowered to activate the power of their money for themselves and for the world.

Janine walks her talk. She is taking action to move all her own assets into investments she feels good about and is watching them grow with market-rate returns. She is also a lead investor in Next Wave Impact, a venture fund designed to help more women become angel investors. In 2024, Forbes named Janine one of “50 Over 50” female leaders who continue to make impact later in life.

Podcast Highlights

[00:02:00] Meet Janine Firpo
[00:05:00] From tech to international development
[00:07:20] Realizing her investments undermined her work
[00:08:00] Writing Activate Your Money and launching Invest for Better
[00:10:00] Why small circles and safe spaces matter for women
[00:11:30] The glaring gap in finance books for women
[00:22:24] Redefining who invest for better is for
[00:27:00] Why it's never too early (or too small) to start investing
[00:35:00] Shifting from charity to strategic philanthropy
[00:58:00] Rethinking retirement and creating a life you don't want to quit

Sometimes all it takes is one conversation to shift how we think about our future. Whether you’re just starting out or well into your career, Janine Firpo’s perspective will open your eyes to the vast, often untapped power of your financial choices.

What would happen if more of us invested in companies that align with our values? What if we moved from passive saving to active wealth-building for the world we believe in?

You’ll hear stories that resonate and data that inspires action—from Janine’s own transformation to the 2,500+ women already empowered through Invest for Better. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to be an investor, or questioned whether your dollars could really drive change, this episode will show you what’s possible.

Janine Firpo’s LinkedIn
Invest for Better membership (free)
YouTube Video Wealth Inequality in America