Syntrinsic Solutions for Clayton Early Learning

After a successful career as a nonprofit founder, executive director and institutional consultant at a large financial services firm, Ben founded Syntrinsic Investment Counsel in 2008. He could see the opportunity for a service-focused, deeply ethical investment advisory firm to serve the nonprofit sector. He wanted to help those who were working hard to make their communities better in Colorado and beyond. Today, Ben serves on the Syntrinsic Investment Committee and leads the team that serves as investment advisors and strategic partners to private foundations, public charities, community foundations and private clients interested in using financial resources for good.

Prior to launching Syntrinsic, Ben was Senior Vice president of Investments at UBS where he led the BVC Institutional Consulting Group. His first career was as an educator and nonprofit founder and executive director. Chief among his efforts, Ben created and directed Denver Summerbridge, an academically rigorous educational opportunity program enabling economically disadvantaged young people to attend and succeed in college and beyond while training talented high school and college students to become impactful educators and community leaders. The program has served as a model and catalyst for several other educational opportunity programs, and it continues to thrive over 25 years later as Breakthrough Kent Denver.

Ben was appointed by then-Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to be one of three independent trustees for Colorado’s $40+ billion Public Employee’s Retirement Association (PERA). He served on the PERA Investment Committee, was elected to be the vice-chair of PERA’s Board of Trustees and today serves as a member of the State of Colorado’s Legislative Pension Review Subcommittee. Ben chairs the Board of Colorado Zoological Trust, is an active member of The Colorado Forum and serves as a founding CEO of Colorado Inclusive Economy. He was selected as the Conscious Business Leader of 2019 by Conscious Company. Ben is author of the award-winning book, “Leadership Magic”, while his articles and insights have been featured in numerous media including The Financial Times, The Washington Post, ProPublica, and American Public Media’s Marketplace among others. He is a frequent speaker on fiduciary duty, behavioral finance and investment management at conferences throughout the country.

A fourth-generation Coloradan, Ben earned his bachelor’s degree from Brown University and his MBA from the University of Denver. Ben, his wife and children enjoy the outdoors. They travel, play music, make stuff, write, cook, play games and generally enjoy each other’s company from their home in Denver.

Dat joined Syntrinsic Investment Counsel in January 2021. Having recently graduated, he joined the firm because it allowed him to continue supporting a variety of individuals and organizations within the community while utilizing his passion for Finance. Dat believes in Syntrinsic’s values to better oneself as well as others everywhere and strive to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to him.

As an Associate Consultant, Dat serves clients by coordinating and ensuring accurate and timely action is taken on their operational needs. Dat previously worked in client facing roles, most recently as a Mortgage Loan Closer and Collateral Review Specialist at KeyBank National Association.

Outside of the professional setting, Dat has continuously supported different organizations such as the Challenge Foundation, Colorado Academy, St. Mary’s Academy, and Kent Denver through translation work, volunteering, and public speaking events.

Dat graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration & Finance focusing in management and organization. Throughout his life, Dat has been involved with non-profits and knows that Syntrinsic’s core values will help him find new and innovative ways to enrich his experience in supporting the community. In his free time, Dat is an avid cyclist, foodie, ultimate frisbee player and enjoys watching hockey and baseball.