Investing in Our Next Chapter: Leadership for What’s Ahead

Six years ago, Rachel J. Robasciotti and Maya Philipson set out to build something that did not yet exist: an investment firm designed to bridge the gap between social justice movements and the public markets, grounded in the lived wisdom of impacted communities. What began as a guiding conviction has grown into a disciplined practice, one that continues to show that investing in alignment with racial, gender, economic, and climate justice can drive both meaningful change and financial performance.

That same commitment shapes who we are as a firm. As a majority Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and 100% women- and LGBTQ+-owned firm, we lead with a commitment to accountability and inclusivity. Following on that promise, Adasina is excited to announce a core expansion of our leadership team, designed to support our upcoming transition to employee ownership and the growing demand we see for Adasina’s investment products in the market. These exciting milestones are the culmination of years of preparation and dedication. 

Leadership Grounded in Continuity & Care

This next chapter in our leadership reflects something core to Adasina: we grow in ways that deepen our impact while staying rooted in who we are and who we serve. This transition reflects our continued commitment to shared leadership, stability, and accountability to our community. 

Welcoming Roberto Thornton as Co-CEO

We are delighted to announce that Roberto Thornton is joining Rachel J. Robasciotti as Co-CEO, continuing the collaborative leadership model that shaped Adasina’s growth. 

Roberto’s transition was thoughtfully planned over multiple years and marks a natural next step in our firm’s shared leadership. He steps into this role at a moment when leadership that reflects both lived experience and investment expertise is more important than ever. As a Black trans man, Roberto brings a perspective that is often missing from financial leadership, along with deep investment experience and a long-standing commitment to advancing racial, gender, economic, and climate justice.

Roberto has been with Adasina for five years, most recently serving as Managing Director of Investments & Impact. Over that time, he has worked closely with Rachel to codify Adasina’s business model and strategy, shape our investment approach, and deepen our relationships with the communities we serve. He brings 15 years of financial industry experience and more than a decade of grassroots organizing for social justice issues impacting the Black trans community.

In his role as Co-CEO, Roberto joins Rachel in stewarding Adasina’s next chapter, building on the foundation that has guided us from the beginning. Together, they will continue advancing an investment approach grounded in courageous brilliance, challenging traditional financial systems, and leveraging collective wisdom to redefine what this industry can and should look like.

Welcoming Danielle M. Burns as Chief Growth Officer & Jess Akamine as Chief Operations Officer

Complementing the updates to our CEO Office, Danielle M. Burns, who currently serves as Adasina’s Managing Director of Growth, will assume the role of Chief Growth Officer. In this capacity, she will provide executive leadership across the firm’s growth strategy, client relationships, and long-term strategic direction. Jess Akamine, who currently serves as Managing Director of Operations, will assume the role of Chief Operations Officer, providing oversight of the firm’s operational infrastructure and organizational effectiveness in support of Adasina’s mission.

The appointments of Danielle and Jess to these key executive-level positions advance our leadership’s effectiveness while empowering the people who helped build Adasina to steward the firm through its transition to employee ownership. They also deepen our ability to live into our promise of being a different type of investment firm, one whose demographic mosaic is an outlier in an industry known for its homogeneity. We’re proud that with these additions, we will have a majority-BIPOC and 100% women and gender-expansive C-Suite.

Celebrating Maya Philipson’s & Julianne Zimmerman’s Evolving Leadership

Maya Philipson will continue her leadership as Chief Compliance Officer while stepping out of the Chief Operations Officer role. As a co-founder, Maya has played a central role in shaping Adasina from the beginning, helping build the firm’s operational and cultural foundation with equal parts care and rigor. This transition reflects both continuity and evolution, honoring Maya’s work to strengthen Adasina’s governance and investment approach while creating space for the next phase of firm leadership.

We are also delighted to share that Julianne Zimmerman will transition from Co-CEO to a new role, stewarding Adasina’s long-term governance with our transition to employee ownership. Her partnership with Rachel helped build the foundation for this collaborative model, and we honor the care, insight, and bold leadership she has brought to the firm.

“It has been a joy and privilege to serve as Adasina Co-CEO, and I couldn’t possibly be prouder of the entire Adasina team for reaching this transformational milestone. Roberto, Danielle, and Jess have been engaged in thoughtful preparation for this transition, and Rachel, Maya, and I share complete confidence in their ability to lead with characteristic integrity, courage, and compassion. For my part, I am thrilled and honored to step into a new governance role, carrying on the duty of protecting Adasina’s mission well into the future.“

-Julianne Zimmerman, Former Co-CEO 

Portfolio Management Continuity 

These leadership updates reflect our commitment to shared accountability and responsibility across the firm, while continuing to deliver the consistent results our clients value. Our investment approach remains unchanged, supported by the same Portfolio Management Team and level of care you’ve come to expect from Adasina. Within the wider market context, our investment strategies continue to demonstrate strength and momentum as more people seek ways to use their investor power to create meaningful change. 

An Invitation for Our Beloved Community

On July 30th, we open our doors for a Beloved Community Conversation. This is an invitation to come together and connect with Rachel and Roberto as he steps into his role as Co-CEO. Together, they will share what this leadership shift means, what they are learning along the way, and what feels important in this moment. We hope you will join us. Please register below and bring your questions, reflections, and insights to this interactive conversation.

As Adasina steps into this next chapter, we remain rooted in the values that have guided us from the beginning. We know we did not get here on our own. It is because of you, our beloved community of investors, collaborators, and partners, that this growth is possible, and we are able to model what diverse, accountable, and distributed power can look like in our industry.

We are energized by what lies ahead and look forward to continuing this work alongside you to build beyond extractive financial systems toward a future of well-being, prosperity, security, dignity, and a healthy planet for all.