Sage Lacerte

The Financier - Founder & CEO of the Sage Initiative, Victoria, BC

Mission: Investing in Womxn

The What: Lacerte founded the Sage Initiative, Canada’s sole Indigenous womxn’s impact-investment collective, in 2019 when she was 23 years old. Carrier from the Lake Babine First Nation in central B.C., Lacerte says that their objective is to bring forth the vital leadership roles womxn hold in our economy, ultimately working towards bridging a gap within the existing ecosystem. By reimagining the role of money through a matriarchal lens, the collective seeks to transform its function from one that divides to one that facilitates relationships among individuals. Lacerte emphasizes that this shift in perspective is crucial in mending societal divides and enabling a framework where money fosters connections rather than creating divisions. The Sage Initiative’s vision encompasses reshaping the economic landscape to honor Indigenous wisdom and restore a harmonious relationship between people and the Earth.

The Impact: Through investing up to $50,000 each year in Indigenous-owned businesses driven by a mission, the collective aims to challenge the prevailing paradigm that primarily revolves around white men in leadership positions.

A View from the Top: Lacerte was named on of 30 under 30 Sustainability Leaders in Canada (Corporate Knights) and 21 Founders to Watch (Future of Good, 2022)

Fun Fact: To support herself through college, Lacerte sang in a wedding band and recorded an album in the southern United States in Tennessee and Arkansas.

Sound Advice: “Build a meaningful relationship with Mother Earth and their kin.”

What’s Next? The Sage Initiative’s vision encompasses reshaping the economic landscape to honor Indigenous wisdom and restore a harmonious relationship between people and the Earth.

The Call to Action: “If you want to learn more about Indigenous economics or impact investment, hire the Sage Initiative team to offer a workshop or keynote by reaching out to our team.”