In 2025, political polarization, shifting federal priorities, and capital market volatility created a landscape that demanded clarity, conviction, and staying power from mission-driven leaders. For Big Path Capital, it was a year to double down on what has guided the firm since its founding in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis: using “smarter money” to build an economy grounded in natural, social, and financial capital. Throughout 2025, that commitment was evident in meaningful team milestones, new offerings for CEOs and fund managers, convenings that brought the community together in critical moments, and transactions that helped values-aligned companies reach their next chapter of growth.

Here’s how Big Path extended its impact in 2025, and how we’re building on that momentum in 2026.

Extending Our Impact During an Unprecedented Year

2025 pushed impact leaders to navigate one of the most complex landscapes in recent memory — from political polarization and shifting federal priorities to ongoing volatility across capital markets. Yet this was also a year that reaffirmed something core to Big Path’s identity: resilience is built through connection, value alignment, and the steady work of helping mission-driven companies thrive, no matter the environment.

That commitment showed up across our own organization as well.

This year, we marked meaningful team milestones that reflect both personal growth and the strength of our culture. Analyst Ged Noering celebrated his first anniversary, stepping fully into a client-facing role after completing his FINRA licensing and contributing to several major wins, including a recent LP commitment for Relevance. As part of our Ripples of Impact initiative, Big Path donated $1,000 to the Innocence Project to honor this milestone anniversary.

Vice President Nick Dell celebrated five years, recognizing his steady leadership in LP outreach, investor alignment, and multi-million-dollar capital commitments. To honor his milestone, we contributed $5,000 to Lila’s Light, supporting disaster-affected animals in memory of Lila Bonner.

Alongside these milestones, we also completed our sixth B Corp recertification, reaffirming our long-term commitment to raising the bar for how investment can serve people, planet, and profit.

Launching Forward-Thinking New Initiatives

Big Path introduced several new offerings in 2025 designed to help mission-driven CEOs navigate inflection points with clarity and confidence.

This year marked the debut of the Impact CEO Series, featuring candid conversations with founders who completed values-aligned capital raises or mission-preserving exits. The sessions included:

  • Sell Without Selling Out, with Vital Farms founder Matt O’Hayer, on stewarding stakeholder values through growth and liquidity events.
  • Capital Chemistry, with Celtic Sea Salt founder Selina DeLangre, on building a mission-first partnership rooted in trust, integrity, and operational alignment.

These conversations offered rare, behind-the-scenes insight into how purpose-led companies scale without compromising what makes them exceptional.

We also expanded our commitment to CEO connection and development with the launch of MO Peer Circles, small-group cohorts designed for personal and professional growth. These facilitated groups bring together five to seven impact CEOs to deepen relationships, share challenges, and build clarity in a confidential, values-aligned environment.

And in a year defined by regulatory uncertainty, we published Weathering the Storm: 8 Funder Perspectives on the Future of Clean Energy Investment, a report capturing insights from leading private equity funds. The interviews underscored both the headwinds posed by federal policy shifts and the sector’s enduring resilience driven by strong demand, declining costs, and national security benefits.

Together, these new initiatives extend Big Path’s long-standing mission: helping founders find aligned capital, strengthening leadership networks, and advancing investment strategies that endure even in uncertain times.

Hosting Memorable Big Path Events

One of the year’s biggest highlights was the MO Summit’s return to Asheville for its eighth year. After beginning in Asheville, moving virtual, and later convening in Portland and Austin, the 2025 gathering brought the event back “home,” drawing a record number of impact CEOs for two days of learning, connection, and values-based leadership. Set against the backdrop of a city known for its creativity, community spirit, and deep ties to purpose-driven business, the Summit embodied Big Path’s belief that impact grows stronger when leaders come together to share challenges, inspiration, and actionable ideas.

Co-Founder and CEO Michael Whelchel and COO Adrianne Gordon — both longtime Asheville residents — have witnessed firsthand how the city models an economy where business growth and community values reinforce one another. That spirit shaped this year’s theme, “Double Down: Leading with Values During Times of Uncertainty,” and infused conversations from values-aligned partnerships to responsible banking, multicultural consumer insight, and navigating crises with purpose. The event also celebrated the seventh annual MO 100 Top Impact CEO Ranking, honoring leaders who leverage the engine of capitalism to create shared prosperity.

Additionally, we hosted the 35th Five Fund Forum, beginning with an in-person gathering in New York City before transitioning to a virtual format to expand accessibility. This hybrid event provided impact fund managers with the opportunity to present their latest strategies directly to a diverse group of mission-aligned investors and advisors — connections that continue to translate into meaningful commitments and long-term partnerships.

Expanding Purpose-Driven Collaboration

In 2025, Big Path deepened its work at the intersection of finance, law, and climate action. CEO Michael Whelchel joined leaders from Switchboard, Premiums for the Planet, and ImpactGC Law for the webinar From Intention to Action: How Impact Leaders Are Leveraging Insurance and Other Climate Finance Tools for Systemic Change. Together, they highlighted an often-overlooked truth: the back office is one of the most powerful climate levers companies have. By aligning banking, insurance, and governance decisions with their values, businesses can redirect existing capital flows to reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and advance their mission without sacrificing performance.

Big Path also contributed to the first-ever Consumer Impact Summit, where Director Christie Lange shared guidance for CPG leaders on scaling without diluting their mission. She emphasized that to be attractive to impact investors, brands need more than a compelling story: they need strong fundamentals, measurable impact, and values that are fully embedded in their products, supply chains, and governance. Her message to founders was clear: When your values are intertwined with how you do business, growth capital becomes a tool to deepen impact rather than compromise it.

And for the third year in a row, Big Path proudly sponsored BLD Southeast, supporting a growing community of Certified B Corps and purpose-driven leaders across the region working to shape a more just, resilient, and sustainable future.

Advancing Mission-Aligned Transactions

Throughout 2025, Big Path supported the movement of capital to impact companies and funds from values-aligned investors in several transactions. One example is our role as exclusive advisor to Torito Brands in the sale of Nature Gnaws, a high-growth natural dog chew company known for its commitment to pet wellness, plastic-neutral packaging, and nationwide support for animal rescue organizations.

The transaction drew strong interest from buyers, reflecting both the quality of the business Torito built and the growing market demand for mission-aligned consumer brands. As CEO Michael Whelchel noted, “The interest we saw throughout the process speaks to the strength of Nature Gnaws’ model and the opportunity it represents in the pet sector.” Big Path was honored to help guide the company through this important moment and ensure its next chapter remains aligned with its values.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Big Path enters 2026 with a full slate of gatherings, partnerships, and community-building efforts designed to strengthen the impact ecosystem we serve.

Championing the B Corp Movement

Big Path will attend and be a returning sponsor of Champions Retreat 2026 in Milwaukee, the flagship convening for Certified B Corps across North America. This year’s theme, Ripples to Waves, highlights how individual actions compound into systems-level change — a belief deeply aligned with Big Path’s mission. 

MO Summit Returns to Asheville

From March 16–18, MO Summit will bring impact CEOs back to Asheville for another year of deep connection, clarity, and leadership development. With 2026’s theme, Clarity in Chaos, the summit will explore how leaders can cut through noise, stay grounded in mission, and build resilient businesses in an era of rapid economic, technological, and social change.

Impact Capitalism Summit: Charleston Edition

The Impact Capitalism Summit heads to Charleston, South Carolina from June 1–3, convening top investors, fund managers, and ecosystem leaders at a critical moment preceding the midterm elections. The 2026 theme, Resilience & Response, reflects the industry’s need to navigate volatility while driving the future of impact in private markets.

More Impact CEO Series Conversations

Big Path will continue expanding the Impact CEO Series, hosting intimate discussions with founders and leaders who are redefining value creation across sectors.

Additional Peer Circles Groups Launching

The next MO CEO Peer Circle will launch in spring 2026. This small-group, high-trust format brings together six to eight leaders for monthly conversations focused on personal growth, professional development, and shared problem-solving. Interested CEOs can fill out the interest form to be considered.

Growing Educational Partnerships

Big Path is exploring new education-based collaborations for 2026. Those interested in co-creating content or programming are encouraged to contact Kristin Remenschneider at [email protected].