WHO WE ARE
VERGE Capital is the result of community-led collaboration and the contributions of countless partners, volunteers, and funders.
OUR HISTORY
In 2013, a number of individuals and organizations from the London, Ontario region came together to imagine a different kind of economy. VERGE Capital is the result of their vision, dedication, and collaborative spirit.
VERGE Capital is now a social finance program of Pillar Nonprofit Network in collaboration with Libro Credit Union, London Community Foundation, Sisters of St. Joseph, and SVX.
Learn more about our origin story and reflections on our collective journey:
Mobilizing community and capital to build a social finance program
Collaborating to build a local market for social finance
Case study of accessible financing for women-led social enterprises
OUR TEAM
STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As a program of Pillar Nonprofit Network, VERGE Capital is accountable to and governed by Pillar’s Board of Directors.
Our Breakthrough Fund has an additional governance structure – a Trustee co-owned by Pillar and SVX, with a Board of Directors that is comprised of two representatives from each partner, and a local community member:
Dr. Janice Byrne
Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship, Ivey Business School
Joseph Santarelli – Treasurer
Senior Advisor, Business Development, Mitacs Inc.
Pillar Nonprofit Network Board of Directors
Adam Spence – Secretary
CEO and Ultimate Designated Person (UDP), SVX
Ameeta Vijay, CPA – Chair
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, SVX
Wendy Arnott
Master Trainer, Senior Consultant, Crucial Learning (formerly VitalSmarts)
Pillar Nonprofit Network Board of Directors
VOLUNTEERS
Our work would not be possible without the 30+ dedicated volunteers who generously contribute their time and talents to supporting our loan review and due diligence process. We also collaborate with the student-led London Social Value Fund and volunteer members of London Community Foundation’s social finance committee on joint due diligence.
We believe that involving diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and professional expertise results in better decisions and a more equitable process.
OUR PARTNERS
We are also a proud member of the pan-Canadian Table of Impact Investment Practitioners, the Ontario-based Catalyst: Community Finance Initiative, and Inclusive Economy London & Region closer to home.