Bill Stoddart

Bill Stoddart is the President and Founder of 45North Partners and has been involved in social finance and values-based investing personally since the early 1990s and professionally since 2006. His work is centered on reforging the tools of finance to create opportunity, build equity, and support self-determination for individuals and communities.

After founding the values-based advisory firm, NorthFork Financial (now NorthFork Advisors), in 2015 he began working with clients who wanted to pursue direct investments in regenerative agriculture, affordable housing, BIPOC entrepreneurs, and Indigenous communities. To provide the capacity to support these direct investments and as a follow on to his experience with the Just Economy Institute’s inaugural Integrated Capital Fellowship, he launched 45North Partners in 2019 to provide consulting and advisory services to develop unique direct debt and equity investment opportunities for his clients that align with their values.

Bill is also the co-founder of HomeStake.com, which started with a pilot project in 2017 to address the related problems of access to friendly, patient capital for businesses, small to medium-sized companies’ need for advanced technical assistance, and the interest of investors to find community-centered alternatives to Wall Street. HomeStake is deploying its second fund in the Northern Rockies and is engaging with other communities throughout the country as a “community capital organizer” to help them launch their own versions of community-centered investment opportunities.

Bill is engaged with several networks, including Confluence Philanthropy, Funders of Regenerative Agriculture (FORA), the Mountain Plains Regional CDFI Coalition, SOCAP, and the Just Economy Institute.

Bill graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in History in 1989, obtained his M.A. in History at Montana State University in 1996 and spent nine years teaching AP U.S. History and Government at Bozeman High School. Beyond work and volunteering on several nonprofit boards, as well as his role on the board of Seek Labs, a HomeStake portfolio company, he spends as much time as possible adventuring outdoors.

Sarah Fitzgerald

Sarah Fitzgerald is a founding advisor with 45North Partners and is now a Managing Partner at NorthFork Advisors. Sarah has more than a decade of experience in impact and community finance. Prior to her work as Vice President at 45North, she led the New Markets Tax Credit team at MoFi (formerly Montana Community Development Corp) where she and her team closed over $300 million in projects in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Arizona and managed a nearly $500 million portfolio. Prior to that, she led the Small Business Lending team at MoFi, vetting, underwriting, and closing loans of $1,000 to $2 million.  She helped grow the small business portfolio to over $40 million.

With a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development from Prescott College, and an MBA from the University of Montana, Sarah brings a nuanced perspective to the intersection of business, finance, and sustainability. Her experience as a wilderness guide, leading backpacking and rafting expeditions, has honed her practical approach to risk management, which she applies to her financial strategies. Sarah sees independence and community as two sides of the same coin, and she values grit, self-reliance, and courageous vulnerability.

Sarah serves on the boards of the Red Ants Pants Foundation and Neighborworks Montana. She is also a mindfulness and emotional intelligence instructor. Whether exploring remote landscapes or traveling the world with her husband, Peter, Sarah brings the same passion and curiosity to her personal life that she brings to her work, driven and inspired by the interplay of adventure and sustainability.

MARY ABAD

Mary is a dynamic force within the finance and impact investing spheres, currently holding the position of Managing Director at 45North. In her role, she works with the team to help identify, execute and oversee values-aligned direct investments for clients, collaborating seamlessly with their in-house teams to achieve impactful outcomes.

Beyond her role at 45North, Mary plays a pivotal role on the leadership team of Self-Help’s Commercial Lending group. As part of this nationally recognized Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and credit union, she channels her expertise into utilizing blended finance strategies to empower BIPOC and low-wealth communities. Her work encompasses a diverse array of sectors, including affordable housing, charter schools, child care, community health centers, churches, non-profits, and small businesses.

Drawing upon nearly two decades of experience with leading global banks such as JP Morgan, Citi, GE Capital, and international development institutions like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank, Mary has stewarded over $4 billion in investments across various asset classes, sectors, and geographies. She is committed to leveraging her extensive background to collaborate with fellow financial activists in fostering a just and inclusive financial system that fosters economic opportunity for all.

Mary's academic credentials include a B.A. from Stanford University, an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School, and an M.A. in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, she is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) candidate and was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Just Economy Institute.

Based in San Diego, CA, Mary is deeply engaged in her local community, serving on the Board of the San Diego Food Systems Alliance and the City’s International Affairs Board. Through these roles, she supports regional farms and businesses to foster a just and sustainable local food system, and advocates for the vibrant immigrant communities that enrich the city's economy and cultural fabric.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Mary finds joy in her role as a partner and parent to a spirited little girl. She embraces life's adventures through travel, outdoor exploration, savoring culinary delights, and dancing to good rhythms.