Show notes
In this episode of PhilanthroThink, Jonathan Harline and Titilayo Adedeji speak with Annabel White, founder and co-CEO of Dragonfly Ventures. Annabel reflects on inheriting family wealth at a young age, learning how finance works over time, and building a more values-led approach to philanthropy and investing.The conversation explores impact investing, environmental and human health, trust-based philanthropy, unrestricted funding, and blended finance. Annabel also shares why she believes community-led solutions matter and why capital should be put into motion where it can do the most good.Thank you to IG Private Wealth Management for a grant to make the PhilanthroThink Podcast series possible.Takeaways-Annabel White inherited family wealth through a trust structure linked to a media business in London, Ontario.-She learned finance slowly and practically by asking questions and showing up to meetings.-Dragonfly Ventures grew from her belief that wealth could be managed differently.-Her work connects environmental health, human health, and community well-being.-Dragonfly screens out investments that do not align with its values.-A blended finance partnership in Clyde River stands out as one of her most meaningful examples of community-led work.-She believes unrestricted funding helps organizations respond to real needs.-Her wider view is that money should circulate more broadly to support stronger communities.Chapters00:00 Welcome to PhilanthroThink00:42 Introducing Annabelle White and Dragonfly Ventures01:26 Inheriting wealth at 1904:10 Learning finance and taking responsibility08:22 Trust structures, autonomy, and family wealth10:13 Why Dragonfly Ventures took a different path12:30 Environmental health, land, and mission17:09 Screening investments through values18:53 Sponsor segment: IG Private Wealth Management22:31 Environmental health and public health24:58 Community-led solutions and blended finance29:11 Unrestricted funding and trust-based philanthropy30:12 How to build trust-based relationships32:13 Annabel’s view on capital and circulation35:04 Eric Peterson’s question on long-term action37:22 Annabelle’s question for the next guest38:02 Closing reflectionsFollow us on social mediaTwitter: https://x.com/mpnlcarletonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carletonmpnl/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpnlcarletonGuestAnnabelle WhiteLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabelle-white-351766203/Dragonfly VenturesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dragonfly-venture-holdings/?originalSubdomain=cHostsJonathan HarlineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathankharline/Mandy PuiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandy-pui-2259617b/Titilayo AdedejiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/titilayoadedeji/Mekayla DionneLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekayla-dionne-57b091234/ProductionKeenliiWebsite: www.keenlii.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/Subscribe and engageIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube and leave a review. Let us know what topics you would like us to explore next.Support our podcastShare this episode with colleagues, friends, and anyone interested in nonprofit work.About PhilanthroThinkPhilanthroThink is a podcast series from Carleton University’s Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program. Each episode features wealth creators, philanthropic leaders, and innovative thinkers sharing insights on the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector in Canada and beyond.