Episode 1: Impact Investing Isn’t Enough – Why We Need a Systemic Shift with Astrid Leyssens

Astrid is the founder of We Are Impact Collective, where she mentors, trains, cheerleads and advises wealth holders and pioneers with their impact journey. She is a seasoned board member and IC member, guest lecturer, and an impact investor herself, with a strong focus on systemic perspectives and collaborative innovation.

Astrid is a firm believer in do-ism, prioritizing action over endless analysis, and applies this philosophy to help individuals, family offices and organizations turn ambition into a step by step approach. She embraces steward-owned principles, ensuring that decisions serve long-term missions rather than short-term gains. Her work is about rethinking, reshaping, and building the new, always seeking collaborations that drive systemic change.

Astrid has created Impact Into Play, a place for high-speed inspiration to explore what is new and get to know other people acting on their dreams, and started the Explorers Club, where she builds new kinds of systemic perspective strategic portfolio approaches.

Beyond her role at WAIC, Astrid is actively involved in the impact investment landscape, serving on various investment and impact committees where she helps guide capital towards social and environmental transformation. In addition to her advisory work, she initiates collaborations that accelerate system change, ensuring that capital is not just invested, but strategically deployed for long-term progress. She bridges philanthropy, sustainable finance, and business strategy, making impact more accessible and actionable.

What if solving the world’s biggest problems requires more than just funding solutions?

In this episode of the Explorers Podcast, Lila Behr speaks with Astrid – impact investor and founder of We’re Impact Collective – about systemic investing, wealth distribution, and the deeper shifts needed to create real change.

From questioning the foundations of the financial system to exploring root causes behind global challenges, this conversation invites a new way of thinking about capital, power, and purpose.

Topics include:
• Systems change & systemic investing
• Rethinking wealth, power & capital allocation
• Root causes vs. symptom solutions
• Collaborative finance & impact ecosystems

A powerful conversation for anyone ready to move beyond traditional investing and into building a more regenerative future.

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