Bill Stoddart
Bill Stoddart has been personally involved in social finance and values-based investing since the early 1990s and professionally since 2006. He is working to reforge the tools of finance to create opportunity, build equity, and support self-determination for individuals and communities.
After five years with a regional broker-dealer, Bill founded an ESG-inclusive advisory firm, NorthFork Financial, in 2011. He then launched 45North Partners in 2019 to provide consulting and advisory services to develop unique direct debt and equity investment opportunities for his clients that align with their values.
Bill is also the co-founder of HomeStake.com, which started with a pilot project in 2017 to address the related problems of access to friendly, patient capital for businesses, small to medium-sized companies’ need for advanced technical assistance, and the interest of investors to find community-centered alternatives to Wall Street. HomeStake is working to develop its second fund in the N Rockies and is engaging with other communities throughout the country as a “community capital organizer” to help them launch their own versions of community-centered investment opportunities.
Bill is a frequent attendee and contributor to several conferences each year, including Social Venture Institute, American Sustainable Business Network and Confluence Philanthropy, and was also a member of the first cohort of Just Economy’s Integrated Capital Institute.
Bill graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in History in 1989, obtained his M.A. in History at Montana State University in 1996 and spent nine years teaching AP U.S. History and Government at Bozeman High School. Beyond work and volunteering on several nonprofit boards, as well as his role on the board of Seek Labs, a HomeStake portfolio company, he and his boys spend as much time as possible adventuring outdoors near his home in Bozeman, MT.
Sarah Fitzgerald
Sarah Fitzgerald is the Vice President of 45North Partners. Sarah has more than a decade of experience in impact and community finance. Prior to joining 45North, she led the New Markets Tax Credit team at MoFi (formerly Montana Community Development Corp) where she and her team closed over $300 million in projects in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Arizona and managed a nearly $500 million portfolio. Prior to that, she led the Small Business Lending team at MoFi, vetting, underwriting, and closing loans of $1,000 to $2 million. She helped grow the small business portfolio to over $40 million. She holds an MBA from University of Montana and undergraduate degrees in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development from Prescott College. She is on the board of Red Ants Pants Foundation and CEI Capital Management and is also active with numerous national impact investing groups.
MARY ABAD
Mary is a dynamic force within the finance and impact investing spheres, currently holding the position of Managing Director at 45North. In her role, she works with the team to help identify, execute and oversee values-aligned direct investments for clients, collaborating seamlessly with their in-house teams to achieve impactful outcomes.
Beyond her role at 45North, Mary plays a pivotal role on the leadership team of Self-Help’s Commercial Lending group. As part of this nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and credit union, she channels her expertise into utilizing blended finance strategies to empower BIPOC and low-wealth communities. Her work encompasses a diverse array of sectors, including affordable housing, charter schools, child care, community health centers, churches, non-profits, and small businesses.
Drawing upon nearly two decades of experience with leading global banks such as JP Morgan, Citi, GE Capital, and international development institutions like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, Mary has stewarded over $4 billion in investments across various asset classes, sectors, and geographies. She is committed to leveraging her extensive background to collaborate with fellow financial activists in fostering a just and inclusive financial system that fosters economic opportunity for all.
Mary's academic credentials include a B.A. from Stanford University, an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, and an M.A. in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, she is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) candidate and was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Just Economy Institute.
Based in San Diego, CA, Mary is deeply engaged in her local community, serving on the Board of the San Diego Food Systems Alliance and the City’s International Affairs Board. Through these roles, she supports regional farms and businesses to foster a just and sustainable local food system, and advocates for the vibrant immigrant communities that enrich the city's economy and cultural fabric.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Mary finds joy in her role as a partner and parent to a spirited little girl. She embraces life's adventures through travel, outdoor exploration, savoring culinary delights, and dancing to good rhythms.