Derek Gent,
manages the social enterprise portfolio at Vancity Capital Corporation, the $50 million venture capital arm of Vancity Credit Union in Vancouver. This portfolio includes risk oriented, repayable investments in non-profit organizations, cooperatives, aboriginal ventures, environmental businesses and a diverse range of initiatives that can show social, cultural and ecological impacts as well as a financial return.  Derek has an MBA from Queen’s University, and has worked for a management-consulting firm, an indigenous microcredit bank in Bangladesh, and was Coast Capital Savings’ first Manager of Social Responsibility. He currently serves as President of the Social Planning and Research Council of BC, teaches a development finance course at SFU and lives in East Vancouver with his wife and partner of almost 20 years and their 3 beautiful preschool aged children.

www.vancity.com