KATALYST
capacity-building
for new leaders within families of wealth
Investing with Impact

Do you want your family assets to drive positive change while generating returns?
Are you keen to develop and refine your investment skills and impact strategy?
Are you ready to step up and lead your wealth toward impact?
About Katalyst
WHAT IS THE PROGRAM ABOUT?
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Individualized, by-invitation-only Fellowship aimed to help families of wealth accelerate their involvement in impact finance, align assets with values, and drive positive change
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Practice-oriented capacity-building program specifically designed for asset owners from non-financial backgrounds
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Flexible, modular set-up with content, length, and intensity tailored to Fellows’ needs and available time
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Delivered individually or in small-groups of 3-6 peers in a secure and confidential setting
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Combines investment training with curated strategy development, coaching, access to networks, and internship
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KATALYST is developed by JBJ Consult with active support from its Fellows and the Advisory Panel comprised of experienced peers and academics
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The program is in its third year, with 22 Fellows from 13 countries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia across 4 cohorts and 2 custom programs. 95% of Fellows come from non-financial backgrounds and 73% are female
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The program builds on the learnings from the NextGen Impact Leadership Accelerator (NILA) piloted in 2018 by JBJ Consult and the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth at the University of Zurich with the support from Climate-KIC, Wietlisbach Foundation, and Monique Bär
Program Content
WHAT WILL I LEARN?
KATALYST provides a holistic training and support, covering the core knowledge of finance and impact investment, development of a bespoke impact strategy, and personal discovery and growth. The program is organised across five streams, with the final content, focus areas, and level of depth being driven by the Fellows' objectives, needs, and the level of prior knowledge.
Format of Katalyst
HOW IS THE PROGRAM STRUCTURED?
The program uses a variety of formats to deliver a unique experiential learning environment in which to advance your impact journey, specifically adapted to your schedule and available time.
Faculty & Advisers
WHO WILL DELIVER THE PROGRAM?
KATALYST is a practice-oriented Fellowship, designed and delivered by leading impact investment and sustainability practitioners, academics and more experienced peers.
The program is led by Julia Balandina Jaquier, PhD, CFA, an impact investment expert, advisor to families and educator. She is supported by the experienced Advisory Panel.
Program Outcomes
HOW WILL I BENEFIT?
PRACTICAL SKILLS
Receive holistic financial training from leading industry practitioners, build your skills, and gain hands-on experience in impact investing.
BESPOKE STRATEGY
Understand peer strategies and lessons learned, and get help in building a pragmatic strategy for your family wealth or a personal project.
CONFIDENCE
Equipped with knowledge, tools and support, feel empowered to think big and forge your own investment future.
TAILORED LEARNING
Customize the program to your objectives, needs, and availability, taking advantage of the unique flexibility of the KATALYST.
NETWORK
Form a trusted peer group and an industry network, facilitating further learnings, access to investments, and expert advice.
CAREER
Gain credibility and position yourself for a purposeful and exciting professional life, inside or outside the family ecosystem.
Practical Information
WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS AND HOW DO I APPLY?
PROGRAM OPTIONS
KATALYST is offered in various formats.
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Core (6-8 months); the full initial program.
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Focus (2 months); for those who want to sample the program, have a narrow focus, or limited availability.
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Advance/Customize; flexible offering that can be added to Core or Focus, or structured as a stand-alone, bespoke program for the family.
TIME COMMITMENT/TRAVEL
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KATALYST can be as light as 1-2 days per month, to near-full immersion over 2-15 months.
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Webinars and individual coaching sessions are scheduled taking into account Fellows' availability and time zones.
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The program can be completed without travel, with only one in-person module planned in Zurich, Switzerland .
FEES
Program fees depend on the chosen option(s) and start at CHF 15'000. See program brochure for details. The fees include all group and individual training, strategic advisory and coaching, as well as meals during the in-person module. Travel, accommodation and taxes are excluded.
ADMISSION
Number of participants per cohort is 3-6. The current cohort if full. Admission for the next cohort, starting in September 2021, will open in spring 2021. Contact us to discuss your goals and see if the program is a good match. KATALYST is held in English, so an adequate proficiency in this language is required.
Testimonials
WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING?
The combination of practical, tailored learning sessions in an intimate group setting and expert coaching provides a unique, transformative experience. Julia is a superb coach: she is spot-on with her advice and helps you find simple and effective solutions to complex issues. The program has taken our family participation in impact finance to the next level."
Adriana, 2018 Cohort Fellow
KATALYST was crucial to developing my strategy, engaging with my family and wealth managers, and quickly giving me the confidence and financial literacy I felt I lacked. It demystified complicated financial jargon and helped me develop essential skills in a safe and supportive environment. Julia is incredibly generous with her time and knowledge, and tailors the program to each participant's needs. KATALYST has been invaluable to my personal and professional development.”
Melissa, 2019 Cohort Fellow
It is the only course I know where a personal impact investment strategy is designed and successfully put into practice. Julia has a talent for sharing her wealth of experience in a way that works for people with different backgrounds. Her classes transmit solid and actionable knowledge, they are tough, effective, exhausting, and fun! The program, including the internship, was great in building my skills and gaining experience, advancing my professional career and family engagement in the space."
Patrick, 2018 Cohort Fellow