Brinna brinkerhoff is a Director of Local Investing YYC. On july 15, 2025 she was interviewed by patrycja drainville as part of Local Investing YYC’s series on its Board of Directors.

Patrycja: What initially excited you about joining Local Investing YYC, and what continues to motivate your involvement in the cooperative?

Brinna: Thanks Patrycja! When interacting with clients and business owners as a banker, I found myself continually drawn to certain clients - clients that were maximizing their contribution to the community. This was done in different ways for different companies - sometimes it was through philanthropy, often times it was through an emphasis on culture, for example seeing the way management treated their people through the hiring process or mentorship programs.  I began to see a pattern; businesses that prioritized social good and community were often the best-run businesses, frequently leading to increased profitability. Maximizing impact in a business could also be accomplished through creating a product or service that provided a social or environmental benefit in and of itself. This really interested me. 

Patrycja: It’s incredible that businesses can actually be both - be financially sound, generate revenue and create social or environmental returns.

Brinna: Exactly, I love this concept of investing in businesses that create multiple returns.  At the time I was looking to become more deeply involved with impact investing.  That is when I found Local Investing YYC right here in Calgary. I joined a webinar to learn more about it, and that lead me to having an opportunity to join the board. 

Patrycja: I also found it incredible that something so innovative, like Local Investing YYC existed in our own city. Just like you, I didn’t find anything that came close in my research.

Brinna: That’s what excited me most. Joining an organization that was supporting businesses that did great things for the world - and also produced financial returns for its shareholders.  

Patrycja: You are Chair of the Investment Committee at Local Investing YYC. Tell us more about your role. 

Brinna: The investment committee is where we do our work looking for potential investments on behalf of the co-op.  I really enjoy connecting and learning from innovators and founders, and looking for these unique impact businesses. It is exciting that Calgary is becoming a center of innovation.  Recently, I was speaking with a fund manager from the U.S. who is moving his fund to Calgary because of the start-up and venture funding ecosystem that we have here drawing high growth companies to Calgary. 

Patrycja: I think it's the work of the Calgary Economic Development that had a big role in that - I remember their campaign to diversify the Calgary business landscape. It’s really a great place for entrepreneurs to settle.

Brinna: Completely. In my banking role, I built many relationships with company leaders, CEOs, and founders. I get to do that in my current role as Chair when we evaluate a potential investment. The other part of my background that ties in is that my husband and I own a manufacturing business, so it is interesting to see what makes companies successful, especially when they tie their business back to purpose and impact.  

Patrycja: And how about the investment pipeline? What are you looking for typically? 

Brinna: We’re looking for companies that are growth-oriented in addition to having a social or environmental impact. Over the past year, the committee has looked at companies from the clean-tech, health-tech, healthcare, and power storage sectors. If we can tie the organization’s contribution back to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and see a clear path to revenue growth, then it's a win-win.

Patrycja: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people might not know. 

Brinna: My first career was as a professional violinist. I completed an undergrad and a master’s of music at Rice University and Indiana University and had the pleasure of performing with many amazing musicians. I transitioned into finance about 15 years ago, and still maintain a strong connection to the music community. With my CFA designation, I continue to give back in a finance and board capacity to three different music-related not-for-profit boards, helping to lead mission, and balance financial resilience with a deep understanding of the artistic side.