Amy E. Blackwell

Partner - Philanthropy and Impact

Acorn Capital Advisers

London, UK

Don Bizub

Western International Securities

Mike Bolsover

Silver Heritage Limited

Amy Blackwell’s Biography

Amy Blackwell advises UHNW individuals on philanthropic and impact strategies at Acorn Capital Advisers. 

Her background is in financial services with a wealth of experience working with and for charitable organisations. Amy speaks regularly on millennials’ attitudes towards values, wealth, impact and successful multi-generational wealth transfer. She espouses a bespoke approach to creating values-driven strategies when working with families in designing or reviewing impact investments. Her strength lies in matching individuals and families to organisations and charities where there is strong synergy. Amy is a strong believer that a values-based approach to impact strategies achieves the best outcomes.

Amy started her career at Merrill Lynch, supporting HNW clients with their financial services needs and engaging with their legal and tax advisers. She has chaired various committees and boards for educational charities; overseen fundraising campaigns through events; managed volunteers for campaigns and advised on a variety of other charitable committees. Amy currently sits on the Board of Trustees of Right to Play UK and on the Advisory Board of the social enterprise, Open Briefing. In addition, Amy sits on the Strategic Steering Board for the SESA Ecosystem and is a Member of the Civic Ecosystems Initiative.

Amy also managed business development and strategy for the CAF American Donor Fund and was a member of their Management Committee. She was previously on the Board of Trustees (UK) for Ubuntu Pathways, a health and education charity. Amy regularly mentors country managers and development directors for charities to maximise their engagement with the HNW donor community.

Educated at Northwestern University, Amy graduated with Honours in History. She attended LSE and received a MSc in International Development & Humanitarian Emergencies.

Amy Blackwell’s Newsfeed

SESA Community

Checklist for Impact Sustainability

In this article for SESA Ecosystem, Amy Blackwell discusses the checklist for impact and sustainability. She explores the strategic principles and the question, 'What do business practices, patience and listening skills have to do with sustainable impact?'.

Acorn Capital Advisers

Partner - Philanthropy and Impact

London, UK

Acorn Capital Advisers is an independent wealth management adviser whose clients are ultra-high net worth individuals and family offices.

Amy E Blackwell

Founder and Philanthropy and Impact Adviser

Jan 2019 - Present

London, UK

Amy creates bespoke philanthropic, impact strategies and impact needs for families and foundations in order to achieve their desired social impact. She regularly hosts private small gatherings offering peer to peer conversations with their families and advisers on the topics of living a purposeful life and celebrating the gift of failure.

Charities Aid Foundation

Manager Business Development CAF American Donor Fund / Manager Private Client Advisory

Jan 2018 - Feb 2020

London, UK

The Charities Aid Foundation promotes donations to charities and provides services and assistance to them as well as their donors. Amy designed an advisory program for the private client team and delivered professional development training workshops for multiple teams.

The Start Network

Consultant

Nov 2016 - May 2017

The Start Network links more than 40 aid agencies across five continents in order to enable collaborative action.

Merrill Lynch

Series 7 Registered Financial Associate

1991 - 1996

Northbrook, IL, USA

As a member of the Private Executive Services Team, Amy advised high-net-worth clients on investment strategies and worked closely with tax and legal advisers to plan for impact goals. She also held the role of tax coordinator of the group.

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Other Business Interests

School District 103

Various roles

2004 - 2008

Lincolnshire, IL, USA

Amy was Chairperson of The Learning Fund Grant Committee, President of the Parent Teacher Organisation and President of the Volunteer Council at School District 103.

Current Board Positions

SESA Ecosystem

Strategic Steering Board Member

Feb 2021 - Present

London, UK

SESA Ecosystem is a Profit for Purpose Social Enterprise operating internationally. They deliver specific social impact with their partners and communities by applying a social capital model. It innovates in driving capability building by location, measuring the impact against SDG 3. Stakeholder driven, it builds social-emotional capabilities to tackle the stigma associated with mental ill-health.

Civic Ecosystems Initiative

Member

Feb 2021 - Present

London, UK

The Civic Ecosystems Initiative connects all those interested in civic ecosystems, including researchers, practitioners and activists. It acts as a driving force to initiate productive collaborations and conversations, using research, resourcing strategies, engagement, and ecosystem mapping and analysis.

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Previous Board Positions

Ubuntu Pathways

Member of Board of Trustees and Development Committee (UK)

2010 - 2018

London, UK

Ubuntu Pathways is a South African health and education charity.

Philanthropy

The Fore

Member of Engaging Experience Network

Jan 2019 - Present

London, UK

The Fore assists small charities and social enterprises in accessing funding.

Learning Fund Foundation

Donor Relations Co-ordinator and Solicitations

Jun 2004 - Jun 2009

Lincolnshire, IL, USA

The Learning Foundation is an independent not-for-profit fundraising organisation for School District 103.

Media

The SESA Ecosystem Podcast

Interview

Apr 2021

London, UK

Amy Blackwell joins Jon Klnnell on The SESA Ecosystem Podcast to discuss 'The Future of Philanthropy and Impact'. In terms of social investing, they explore the rapidly evolving world of social finance and impact strategies.

Charitable Interests

The American School in London

Co-chairperson for Bi-annual Gala

2010 - 2011

London, UK

Amy co-chaired a committee of 50 people and managed over 100 volunteers to plan and execute a gala event and contributed to fundraising for the school.