Impact investing is gaining momentum across Australia and the Asia Pacific region as investors increasingly seek opportunities that deliver both financial returns and meaningful change. As the sector evolves, new players are stepping up to challenge traditional financial approaches, guiding investors toward more sustainable and ethical strategies.
UNLESS Financial is one such firm leading the way. Established to support individuals and families looking to align their capital with their values, UNLESS operates on the principle that investment decisions are a powerful tool for driving positive change. The firm not only advises clients on how to build impact — focused portfolios but is also looking to play an active role in shaping the broader ecosystem.
A Mission-Driven Approach to Financial Advice
Founded by experienced impact professionals Dave Rae, Marissa Theodorou and Justin Medcalf, UNLESS Financial was established on the belief that finance has a pivotal role in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.
“UNLESS Financial was born out of the recognition that finance is not neutral – it can either contribute to the problems we face or be part of the solution,” said Dave Rae.
With over two decades of experience in the sector, the team at UNLESS is focused on more than just financial returns. They guide clients through life’s critical financial decisions while ensuring capital is directed toward solutions that combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality.
Unlike conventional financial advice firms, UNLESS goes beyond simply offering recommendations – it empowers investors to take action. By providing clear, strategic guidance and leveraging deep expertise in impact investment, UNLESS ensures that clients are not just passive participants in financial markets but active contributors to a more sustainable future. This includes a strong focus on catalytic and systemic investing, as well as shareholder activism – key strategies for driving real, structural change in business and finance.
While UNLESS is still in its building phase, the firm is already attracting a dedicated community of impact – driven investors eager to align their capital with meaningful change. With a full launch set for the second half of 2025, UNLESS is actively seeking collaborators, partners, peers, and pioneers who share a commitment to reshaping finance for good. This growing movement of early supporters reflects a shift in the industry: investors are not just waiting for UNLESS to be ready — they’re ready to work with UNLESS in creating a new standard for impact-focused financial advice.
“Where money flows, change follows. The shift toward impact investing isn’t just about personal portfolios – it’s about system-wide transformation, and we’re building a movement of investors who want to be part of that change,” said Rae.
Proud Sponsors of the Market Builder Award
As part of its commitment to growing the impact investment ecosystem, UNLESS Financial is proud to sponsor the Market Builder of the Year Award at the Australian Impact Investment Awards as part of the Impact Investment Summit in Sydney on Wednesday 26th March.
This category celebrates organisations and individuals demonstrating expertise, commitment, and leadership in advancing impact investing in Australia. Recognising those who are driving systemic change, the Market Builder Award highlights the crucial work being done to create a thriving, scalable, and effective impact investment market.
Hosted by Impact Investment Hub, the awards are a key platform for acknowledging the sector’s pioneers, innovators, and thought leaders. Designed around criteria set by the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG), the awards reinforce the importance of building a robust and credible impact investing landscape.
For UNLESS, supporting the Market Builder Award is a natural extension of its core mission. The firm understands that real change requires a collective effort — from investors, research houses, and asset managers to those creating innovative products. By celebrating those who are working to develop the impact investment market, UNLESS is helping to accelerate the shift towards a more just and regenerative economy.
Impact Investing in Australia: The Path Forward
The landscape of impact investing in Australia is evolving rapidly, with increasing interest from institutional investors, superannuation funds, and individual investors alike. Climate action, sustainable infrastructure, regenerative agriculture, and social impact initiatives are all attracting capital at unprecedented rates. However, to sustain this momentum, the market needs continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership.
UNLESS Financial believes that now is the critical decade for action. As the world faces escalating climate and social challenges, the role of impact capital has never been more important. Investors are no longer asking whether they should invest for impact but how best to do it. UNLESS aims to be at the forefront of helping clients answer that question – ensuring their investments align with both financial security and a commitment to a better future.
A Call to Action: Building a Movement
More than just an advisory firm, UNLESS Financial is part of a growing movement of individuals, families, and organisations redefining the purpose of capital. By supporting the Market Builder Award, UNLESS is reinforcing its belief that impact investing is not just about individual portfolios ‑— it’s about system-wide change.
With a full launch on the horizon, UNLESS is building something bigger than a financial advice firm — it’s cultivating a network of impact investors ready to move capital in the right direction. The firm’s early supporters understand that meaningful change takes time, and they are prepared to wait – not just to work with UNLESS, but to be part of a broader shift in finance.
The winners of the Australian Impact Investment Awards will not only be recognised for their leadership but will serve as an inspiration for others looking to harness finance as a force for good. UNLESS Financial is honoured to play a role in amplifying these efforts and looks forward to seeing the continued growth of impact investing in Australia and beyond.
For those looking to realign their capital with their values, the time to act is now. UNLESS Financial stands ready to support and enable investors on this journey, because where money flows, change follows.
For more see https://unless.financial/.