Myleen Verstraete is co-founder and board member of the PYM Foundation, and leads PYM's work in Belgium, where she is paving the way for Belgian impact investing. She is currently working with Belgian banks and a group of prominent female CEOs to transform the narrative of investment and finance into a force for good.

In this introductory interview, Myleen shares her journey into impact investing and why she believes in the collective as the most effective approach.

Where did your impact story begin?
Because I found most financial conversations difficult to follow, I always left the finances to my husband and my banker and didn’t get (emotionally) involved. That changed overnight when I was introduced to impact investing during the Pymwymic Impact Days in 2015. I suddenly realized that money could have a positive impact, beyond just a return on investment. This set me on my journey to become a passionate impact investor and active philanthropist. Now, I am fully committed to being a changemaker.

What was your first impact decision?
At the 2015 Impact Days, I met Waste2Wear – my first major investment. Together, we started a women’s brand based on 70% high-end sustainable fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. It was a risky venture for a beginner, as it was revolutionary for the market and a direct investment. Today, things have changed; I am still a proud ambassador of Waste2Wear, but I have shifted my investment strategy to investing through funds. My goal is to create a 100% impact portfolio: generating positive, measurable social and environmental impact worldwide, alongside a financial return.

How has impact investing changed your daily life? Do you see things differently?
Impact has been an all-round positive movement in my life. In my daily life, I think the biggest change has been embracing the art of reducing. I buy quality instead of quantity. I walk more and drive electric. I have turned down the heating at home, no longer drink bottled water, and eat more consciously. I shop waste-free and have implemented a zero-plastic policy at the office. For me, reducing waste means tackling the problem from both sides: consuming less and managing better. Currently, only 20% of plastic is recycled. If we continue like this, by 2050 there will be five times more plastic in the oceans than fish. That’s why I have changed my daily habits, and that’s why I am still such a fan of Waste2Wear: it transforms waste into a resource and delivers innovative textiles made from recycled plastic using blockchain technology.

Which impact trends are you excited about?
In line with Pymwymic’s focus and global trends, I am especially excited about disrupting the food industry. There is a huge shift happening in this industry, as we begin to recognize the need for an earth-inclusive approach, built for the long term. For example, I believe that initiatives like regenerative agriculture will yield incredible returns over time. There is still so much untapped potential in this area.

What is your impression of the current Belgian impact investing scene?
Belgians are quite conservative, and Belgian banks have started to propose impact portfolios to their clients. However, they need to act faster. ‘Business as usual’ is (for me) dead, yet many people are still waiting for ‘legitimacy’ to move forward. I think we need to remind banks and investors that there is no such thing as ‘certainty’. The future is always unknown, so instead of blindly making more money with our money, why not see our capital as a wonderful responsibility to invest in something bigger?

How do you see the future?
I think the Covid crisis has unintentionally had a positive influence on impact investing. In my generation, everything was created for short-term comfort, but lately there is more awareness, we have turned inward, and we are reconsidering our priorities and goals. I think technology has helped us enormously and will continue to help us in determining and measuring value in this larger context. Politically, especially Europe is starting to become more active with THE GREEN DEAL, but there are still many people who close their eyes to the planet’s problems because it interferes with their way of life. Personally, I talk to my children every day about the state of the earth. I want to raise my children with awareness, and I want to be able to look them in the eye, knowing that I have made a difference for their future. I believe we can move capital for good and change our direction, if and when we work together. We are all in the same boat.