FERN Impact is a female-owned and led investment firm that focuses on investors achieving their financial goals while pursuing positive change through impact-driven investment strategies. We take a research-driven, disciplined approach to capital allocation, balancing performance objectives with responsible decision-making. We screen for, invest in, and pledge to impact.
About us
Our proprietary FIT process (Fundamental Analysis, Impact Factors, Technical Analysis) guides our investment approach, aiming to align financial goals with long-term sustainability and resilience. By investing with purpose, we strive to build portfolios that serve investors, support community development, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Our Leadership
Sandra Myburgh
Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founding Partner, and Managing Member FERN Impact Partners, LLC and FERN Impact Advisors, LLC
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Sandra Myburgh is the Chief Executive Officer, Co- Founding Partner, and Managing Member of FERN Impact Partners, an alternative investment manager, and FERN Impact Advisors, a registered investment advisor in the United States. With more than 30 years of experience across global markets, Sandra brings deep expertise in portfolio construction, hedge fund due diligence, risk oversight, and investment strategy.
Prior to co-founding FERN, Sandra held senior leadership roles at global financial institutions including Barclays Private Wealth and Investment Management, ABN AMRO Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank, where she led initiatives in structured finance, derivatives trading, and emerging market investment. She began her career at Rand Merchant Bank as a Currency Options Trader and went on to lead multi-asset teams managing portfolios across regions and asset classes.
Sandra holds a B.Com. in Information Technology, an Honors Degree in Economics, and a Master’s Degree in Economics (cum laude) from the University of Johannesburg. She is a member of 100 Women in Finance (100WF) and the Global Female Investors Network (GFIN), and is a committed advocate for advancing gender equity and impact transparency in the investment industry. Sandra is passionate about developing investment strategies that deliver both financial strength and measurable positive outcomes, and she brings a global perspective rooted in technical depth and relational insight.
Kristin Carlin
Chief Investment Officer, Co-Founding Partner, and Managing Member FERN Impact Partners, LLC and FERN Impact Advisors, LLC
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Kristin Carlin is the Chief Investment Officer, Co-Founding Partner, and Managing Member of FERN Impact Partners, an alternative investment manager, and FERN Impact Advisors, a registered investment advisor in the United States. With over 30 years of experience in trading, portfolio management, and alternative investments, Kristin specializes in structuring, risk management, investment analysis, and trading strategies.
Prior to founding FERN, she was Portfolio Manager and Head of Trading and Research at Bedford Oak Partners, a $500 million hedge fund, where she worked alongside Harvey P. Eisen. She led portfolio construction, research, trading execution, and managed institutional client relationships. Earlier in her career, Kristin was an Institutional Block Trader at Prudential Securities, executing trades globally for institutional clients. She also founded Hunter Investment Partners, now FERN Impact Advisors.
Kristin holds a BS in Psychology from Alfred University and completed advanced technical analysis training under Ralph Acampora, CMT, at the New York Institute of Finance. She is a member of 100 Women in Finance (100WF) and the Global Female Investors Network (GFIN), and was a founding member of the 100WF Female Portfolio Manager Peer Advisory Council. Kristin is dedicated to delivering investment strategies that drive meaningful returns while supporting positive social and environmental progress.
Our Purpose
At FERN Impact, we believe investing is about financial returns and goals, and more. It’s also about contributing to a resilient and forward-looking future. Our investment approach is research-driven with disciplined risk management. Our investment strategies are designed to support economic and social progress.
What Drives Us
Strategic Capital Allocation
Investing in high-quality opportunities that align financial performance with responsible decision-making.
Risk-Aware Investing
Applying a disciplined, adaptable approach to manage volatility with the aim to protect capital in changing market conditions.
Transparent Data-Driven Insights
Utilizing a clear, research-backed investment process to make informed decisions with confidence.
Positive Outcome Commitment
Structuring portfolios guided by financial goals and informed by impact considerations that support long-term resilience.
As part of our broader commitment, FERN allocates a portion of its performance fees to local community initiatives, at no additional cost to investors, helping to fund projects that strengthen communities and drive positive change.
Our Business Principles
At FERN Impact, our business is built on a commitment to financial excellence and meaningful impact.
These principles guide how we operate, invest, and grow with purpose.
- Excellence in Investing: We are disciplined, data-driven investors focused on delivering long-term results. Our proprietary FIT process combines fundamental, impact factors, and technical analysis to guide decision-making with clarity and precision.
- Research at the Core: Our process begins and ends with research. From macro-level risk assessments to company-level screening, we rely on rigorous analysis and a repeatable investment framework to manage risk and uncover opportunity.
- Responsibility Beyond Returns: We believe capital should serve more than just the bottom line. Our work reflects a commitment to helping build resilient portfolios and resilient communities through thoughtful, responsible investing.
- Impact with Integrity: We structure our strategies to support social and environmental progress without passing costs on to our investors. A portion of performance fees is directed toward local community initiatives that create lasting, place-based change.
