The Growth for Impact Conference Nov. 8-11 in Phoenix, AZ

The Formative Growth for Impact Conference will be held November 8-11 at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. The Growth for Impact conference website provides information on Registration, updates on the Agenda and Speakers, Hotel and Sponsors. 

As you probably know, First Affirmative, now doing business as Formative, hosted and produced SRI in the Rockies and then The SRI Conference on Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing for 30 years! We are proud of the fact that we produced the largest and longest-running event of its kind in the world. After a short COVID interruption, we reorganized in 2021 and are offering our fourth edition of a somewhat smaller and more advisor-focused event.  

This gathering will be focused on the needs and interests of client-facing advisors and asset managers who specialize in integrating ESG information and Client values to identify enterprises striving to become more responsible corporate citizens. The community that gathers at this conference are people and organizations working to direct the flow of investment capital to enhance the Common Good. We are expecting 350 attendees to join us. 

We chose the dates for this event to come after the midterm election. We expect that these dates will give us enough information about expected policy directions and advocacy opportunities for participants to discuss actionable plans to take back for use in their communities and with their clients.    

We are excited that we have a strong agenda under development, which will focus on Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers, ESG & Values Integration in Portfolio Construction, Advocacy & Impact, and Practice Management & Professional Education. 

Sign up for our biweekly Ejournal

Global Events Calendar

Latest Cimate & Energy News

Featured Video

Sustainability News from 3BL

Our expected featured speakers include a range of experienced industry experts such as Rebecca Adamson, Witold Henisz, John Streur, Alison Wise, Peter Krull, and many others. 

If you are a CFP, it will be our goal to provide up to 6 hours of CFP Continuing Education Credits. We are also looking into qualifying for state requirements for IAR Continuing Education. We are including two pre-conference educational opportunities. 

Late Sunday afternoon on November 8, we will offer the US SIF Fundamentals and Updates in Sustainable and Impact Investing. The price will be $100 for US SIF members and $150 for non-members. The program will be eligible for 2 hours of CFP Continuing Education credits. For more information and to register, go to https://www.ussif.org/events-and-networking/fundamentals-and-updates-in-sustainable-and-impact-investing-in-person  

Also on Sunday, the Formative team will be hosting a VADIS Update: New Functionality and New Products session. The session will be useful to advisors currently using our VADIS (Values Aligned Direct Indexing Solution) product and for those who want to learn more about how it can help their business grow. 

If you have attended our events in the past, have worked with YourStake, or are someone focused on values-based investing, or want to learn more about this exciting and growing field, this conference is designed for you. 

The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is owned by the Gila River Indian Community, a sovereign Native American tribe, and is operated under a management partnership with Sheraton (Marriott International). Located on tribal land in Phoenix, AZ, it is a Native American-owned luxury resort designed to reflect the heritage of the Pima and Maricopa tribes. The resort was designed by tribal members to reflect the Pima (Akimel O’otham) and Maricopa (Pee Posh) cultures, featuring local artwork, indigenous landscaping, and themed rooms. An interior designer’s masterpiece, each detail has been included for cultural significance from the Pima and Maricopa traditions, from the design of the tiles and bedspreads to the petroglyph-engrained furniture. Enjoy panoramic views including the Sierra Estrella and South Mountain Ranges, and the Gila River from your private patio or balcony. 

The registration fee provides for participation in all scheduled sessions, networking opportunities, the Sunday reception, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Monday and Tuesday.   

In addition to our educational program, we are providing expanded opportunities to network with your fellow professionals and to take advantage of the various cultural and recreational opportunities that this beautiful, tribal-owned resort has to offer. 

We are excited for this year’s conference and look forward to seeing 350 old and new friends in November. More details here


Article by George R. Gay CFP®, AIF®, who is the CEO of Formative (formerly FAFN) since 1986. George is a pioneer of environmental, social, and governance investing and socially responsible investments (ESG/SRI). 

Growing up on a farm near heavily polluted Lake Erie, George recalls being admonished to “keep his head out of the water” when swimming to avoid getting sick. He credits that lasting memory as one of his inspirations for embarking on a career in SRI. The firm’s culture has allowed George and Formative to reach unforeseen heights in moral and financial sustainability, serving as a strong voice for organizations and individuals to make smart choices and to be a louder voice for change, especially where financial matters are concerned. George is well-versed in analysis and portfolio rating assessment, emerging trends, wealth management, and how ESG/SRI investing can make the future better.  

George is recognized as an industry role model and mentor. He’s a highly sought-after speaker, panelist and counselor. He is a past recipient of the industry’s “SRI Service Award” and the 2025 recipient of the industry’s “Joan Bavaria Award.”  

Global Events Calendar

Featured Podcast

Sustainable Investor Book

Sustainability News from 3BL

Sign up for our biweekly Ejournal

Global Events Calendar

Latest Cimate & Energy News

Featured Video

Sustainability News from 3BL

Latest GreenMoney News

Latest GreenMoney News

Impact investing

Climate & Energy

Food & Farming