Sign In

Nancy Pfund

Member Board Of Directors at Farmers Business Network

Nancy Pfund is a prominent figure in the field of impact investing, serving as the Founder and Managing Partner of DBL Partners, a venture capital firm based in San Francisco. Established in 2008, DBL Partners focuses on investments that yield both financial returns and positive social and environmental impacts. Pfund is recognized for her pioneering work in this sector, which aims to leverage venture capital for social change and environmental sustainability.134

Career Background

Before founding DBL Partners, Pfund held the position of Managing Director in Venture Capital at JPMorgan, where she began her investment career at Hambrecht & Quist in 1984. Her early professional experiences include roles at Intel Corporation, the State of California, Stanford University, and the Sierra Club.123 Pfund has been instrumental in supporting various companies through her board memberships, including Farmer’s Business Network, Zola Electric, and Bellwether Coffee. Notably, she was an early investor in several high-profile companies like Tesla Motors, SolarCity, and Pandora.125

Education

Pfund holds a BA and MA in Anthropology from Stanford University and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. Her academic background has informed her approach to understanding the social dynamics that impact investment strategies.13

Recognition and Influence

Pfund's contributions to impact investing have earned her numerous accolades. In 2023, she was named to the Forbes Women 50 Over 50: Investment list and recognized as one of the Bay Area's 100 Most Influential Business Leaders by the San Francisco Business Times. She has also received awards such as the Financial Woman of the Year in 2022 and was featured on Forbes' Impact 50 List in 2020.135 Additionally, she serves on various boards and advisory committees, including the Board of Trustees for the National Geographic Society.13

Advocacy and Thought Leadership

Pfund is a vocal advocate for sustainable practices and frequently speaks on topics related to impact investing, sustainable agriculture, and climate change solutions. Her efforts aim to demonstrate that financial success can align with social responsibility, making her a leading voice in advancing these principles within the investment community.124

Overall, Nancy Pfund's career reflects a commitment to integrating financial performance with social good, positioning her as a key player in shaping the future of impact investing.

Highlights

Sep 10 · twitter

Thanks for the chat about impact investing, creating transformative climate companies, how to leverage innovation and policy to drive returns and sustainability, and all the things that make DBL, DBL! #ImpInv #ClimateTech #Sustainability

Jul 13 · linkedin

☕️🌎 Some climate tech news you don’t want to miss!   The California Energy Commission has invested in decarbonizing the coffee industry in a BIG way. Nearly $2M from the CEC will help two West Oakland coffee retailers purchase Bellwether Coffee electric roasters to reduce their carbon footprint by 2M pounds per year. Americans consume 400M cups of coffee/day, with beans roasted with natural gas – until now. Bellwether reduces emissions from coffee roasting by up to 87% compared to the nat gas-powered status quo. Get ready to say hello to your newly decarbonized morning cup of joe!

Thanks to Katie Fehrenbacher Axios for the opportunity to chat about this important investment as it percolates through the market!

Related Questions

What are some of Nancy Pfund's most notable investments?
How did Nancy Pfund transition from JPMorgan to founding DBL Partners?
What impact has DBL Partners had on environmental sustainability?
What companies does Nancy Pfund currently sit on the board of?
How has Nancy Pfund influenced the field of impact investing?
Nancy Pfund
Nancy Pfund, photo 1
Nancy Pfund, photo 2
Add to my network

Location

San Francisco Bay Area