Quakers and Relational Finance

In this second episode of our season-long exploration into "The Wallet," Peterson Toscano and Diana Yañez dive into Relational Finance. This concept challenges the traditional divide between "financial experts" and "spiritual seekers." Taking the Quaker theology of the "priesthood of all believers" and applying it to economics, we explore how taking personal responsibility for our money—and our institutional assets—leads to deeper integrity and more equitable power-sharing.

From the boardrooms of major corporations to micro-grant partnerships in Kenya and Sierra Leone, we look at what happens when we stop letting others stand between us and the truth of our financial impact.

In This Episode

• The Unmediated Truth: Jeff Perkins reflects on the Quaker commitment to taking responsibility for one's beliefs, even when it comes to the "taboo" topic of money.
• Decolonizing Power: Traci Hjelt Sullivan discusses how Right Sharing of World Resources is shifting power from Western offices to local coordinators, moving from "saviorism" to genuine partnership.
• Ownership as a Tool: We explore how holding onto shares in a company (rather than just divesting) can be a powerful way to "hold the door open" for justice in corporate boardrooms.

Our Guests

Jeff Perkins

Jeff is the former executive director of Friends Fiduciary. He is a member of Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting in Philadelphia and lives in Philadelphia with his husband. His journey to Quakerism began at a nuclear test site protest in the 1980s, where the integrity of Quaker activists inspired his lifelong commitment to faith-led action.

Traci Hjelt Sullivan

Traci is the executive director of Right Sharing of World Resources (RSWR). With decades of non-profit management experience, including roles at Pendle Hill and Friends General Conference, Traci brings a global perspective to her work, having lived or worked in Ethiopia, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya, and beyond. She is a member of Green Street Meeting in Philadelphia.

Nathan Kleban

Nathan is the program and advancement associate at RSWR. His background includes serving as an environmental volunteer with the Peace Corps in Mali and working with the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP). He currently lives in Iowa City, Iowa.

Amy Carr

Amy is the senior shareholder advocate at Friends Fiduciary. She utilizes her background in information science and data research to engage companies on ESG (environmental, social, and governance) issues, bringing Quaker values to the forefront of corporate dialogue.

Organizations Mentioned

• Friends Fiduciary Corporation: A Quaker nonprofit providing professional investment and planned giving services to Friends meetings, schools, and organizations.
• Right Sharing of World Resources: An organization providing seed grants to women’s self-help groups in the Global South, rooted in the Quaker testimony of simplicity.
• American Friends Service Committee (AFSC): A Quaker organization working for social justice, peace, and humanitarian service around the world.

Disclaimers

Quakers Today is a project of Friends Publishing Corporation. This season is sponsored by Friends Fiduciary and the American Friends Service Committee.

Investment Disclaimer: Friends Fiduciary unites Quaker values with expert investing. However, the information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, financial, or tax advice. Please consult with a professional financial advisor regarding your specific situation.

Question for Listeners

How do you balance "expert advice" with your own spiritual leadings when it comes to your money? Have you ever felt a "dissonance" between your investments and your values?

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Diana Gisel Yañez is an Investment Advisor Representative of Natural Investments PBLLC. Natural Investments is an independent Registered Investment Advisor. Quakers Today and Friends Journal are not a registered entity and are not an affiliate or subsidiary of Natural Investments. See our Disclosures and Disclaimers and read our Form CRS.