The willow tree has a long history of symbolism rooted in many traditions.
Throughout time, the willow was an ancient symbol representing the physical and spiritual worlds, transformation, liberation, and unity. In some cultures, the willow represents balance, learning, growth, and harmony. Its trunk can withstand intense winds and bend with the flow, yet stand firm.
The willow’s ability to withstand such challenges with strength and grace perfectly symbolizes our mission to create loving change in a deeply imbedded culture of capitalism; a culture we feel is ripe for change. Our approach is to actively engage with companies, to inspire them with a simple message they perhaps rarely receive. Its power to persuade behavior beneficial to humanity derives from its grounding in sound investment principles.
Capitalism, with its tremendous influence of power and money, has equally as much capacity to facilitate positive change as it does negative.
At Willow, our goal is to shine a little bit of light on this truth.
As we define it, loving change is a heart-centered approach to building an equitable world in which we can all thrive. We believe the best way to do this is by simply living our own values. Our mission is to facilitate change through thoughtful deployment of capital in public and private markets.
FOUNDER & CEO
Lydia–Alexandra Renders (formerly Dest) is the Founder and CEO of Willow, a certified B-Corp and a designated WBE (Woman Based Enterprise) investment firm, one of a few woman run firms with this distinction. As Chief Investment Officer and Strategist, Alexandra is known for her keen intuitive calls around thematic trends and market cycles. Particularly adept in predicting and understanding trends, this is the foundation of her work. With 36 years’ experience in the industry (34 years of which were managing investments) she works to make selections that do good in the world while helping her clients meet their goals. While her clients count on Alexandra professionally they also appreciate her honesty and loving nature.
Prior to establishing Willow in 2009, Alexandra served 14 years as First Vice President of Investments and part of senior management at Berkshire Bank where she grew the assets from $70 to $750 million under management. In this capacity she created strategies that weathered many market cycles including the tech bubble and financial crisis. She created the Investment Advisor division at U.S. Securities, Inc. and began her career as a Compliance Specialist at Advest, Inc. just prior to the market crash of 1987. Lydia Alexandra holds a BA in Economics from the University of Connecticut. In 1991, she was part of the committee that drafted investment policy statements that were recommended for adoption by local municipalities in the State of Connecticut.
“My passion in everyday life is focused on my own growth and evolution that brings me a greater sense of inner freedom and joy. I am an intuitive, a channel and a healer and spend much of my free time helping others access their higher consciousness leading them to overcome shadows or obstacles that are in their way of living their authentic truths and truly enjoying their lives. I am a seeker of truths and appreciate honesty and deep vulnerability. I have a deep belief that wars, conflicts and strife we see in the world is a direct reflection of our inner conflict. Healing our internal conflict and releasing our own fears will thus heal all of humanity. To remain grounded, I enjoy hiking, reading, and writing. I’m ecologically minded and seek to live sustainably, and built a straw bale house where I reside with my beloved soulmate, Pascal. To be content, I require moments of solitude, simplicity, quality nutrition, and global travel. I wholeheartedly believe in the interconnectedness of our world and, as such, focus Willow’s give back on projects that help raise awareness.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Paul has garnered a wealth of experience over a variety of financial management positions. In his current position, Paul works closely with Willow Founder and CEO Lydia Alexandra to assess client priorities, and determine and implement aligned investment strategies. Earlier, he held various positions at Willow predecessor firm Alexandra Dest Capital Management (ADCM). These included Portfolio Manager and Sustainable Investment Analyst, screening investments based on social and environmental criteria for inclusion in client portfolios; Sustainable Analyst and Coordinator, building ADCM’s sustainable investing framework and aligning the firm’s operations with the firm’s sustainable investing orientation; and Operations and Portfolio Management Associate, focusing primarily on client service and research to assess economic data and risk management metrics. Paul began his career in investment management as an intern in Berkshire Bank’s wealth management division, where he first met and worked with Lydia Alexandra.
Paul is a member of the Stakeholder Council for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), an international independent standards organization that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate their impacts on issues such as climate change, human rights and corruption. Paul is also the Chairman of the Board for the Love of T Foundation, Inc. a non-profit organization focused on mental health. Paul was recently elected a member of the Central Berkshire Regional School Director School Committee. Paul holds both the CDAA (Certified Digital Asset Advisor) designation and is a member of the DACFP (Digital Asset Council of Financial Professionals) two of the first digital asset and cryptocurrencies related designation for financial professionals.
Paul holds an MBA, with a focus on sustainability, from Antioch University New England. He earned a BSBA in Economics and Finance from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford.
“Finding true balance of work, family, and passions can be a major challenge. Working at Willow has helped me achieve that balance, and thrive personally and professionally. It has also challenged me to look deep within and learn more about myself, providing me with the foundation to better serve our clients, our community, and the world at large.
“At this time, my life, fun, and hobbies are wrapped up in my three young children. Our activities include lots of driveway chalk drawing, chase games, rolling around on the floor, and extensive use of imagination. My adult enjoyments include organic gardening, playing any instrument I can get my hands on, and taking in the wonderful views the Berkshires never ceases to provide.”
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & COMPLIANCE
Allison brings more than 10 years of finance experience to Willow. Prior to joining Willow, she was an independent expense consultant for small businesses. Earlier, Allison held a variety of positions at GE Capital Markets, including Assistant Vice President, involved in syndicating structured healthcare leveraged buyouts, mergers and acquisitions and recapitalizations; Associate, coordinating leveraged loan healthcare deals; and Analyst, tracking credit performance of loan portfolios. During her seven-year tenure at GE, Allison received eight management awards. Allison began her career in finance in GE Capital’s prestigious Financial Management Program.
Allison has honed her leadership skills as an Interim English Teacher at Lenox Memorial High School, and co-owner of the Morgan House Inn & Restaurant, where she restructured operations, improved financials, and managed employees. She holds certification in Communication and Literacy Reading and Writing from Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL), a program designed to confirm the subject area knowledge of aspiring teachers.
Allison completed a four-year leadership training program to teach psychology tools that improve communications skills and workplace effectiveness. She holds a BS in Finance from the Wallace E. Carroll School of Management at Boston College, from which she received the Dean’s Letter of Commendation.
“After living a life of black and white thinking—polarity—I’ve grown to appreciate the gray zone. I believe coming into the middle ground is where I find the most contentment. I love that Willow balances capitalism and spirituality! This is something I do in my personal life and was excited to find it at Willow. Culture is an important factor in my career decisions; Willow’s approach made it an obvious choice.
“While I grew up in Lee, MA, I spent many years away for school and work. I’m happy to again call Berkshire County home. I love being active and outside—the Berkshires is a great place to be in nature. When I’m not at work, I can be found hiking, running—I’ve completed several half and two full marathons—golfing, or paddling around the County.”
CLIENT SUPPORT & ADMINISTRATION
Christine brings to Willow over 30 years of experience in the Financial Services industry, where she developed the skills needed to manage both people and projects. Employed by Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, she spent most of her career in the New Business and Client Services division, working her way up the corporate ladder into middle-management positions. Christine expanded her skills in the Product division where she managed large cross-functional teams and followed her interest in process improvement by becoming certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Christine actively participated in the Guardian Leadership training program and obtained the Associate Customer Services (ACS) and Disability Income Associate (DIA) designations. She prides herself in providing above and beyond customer service, noting it a critical component to any business’s success, and brings this passion to Willow in the role of Customer Support and Administration. Following her years in the corporate environment Christine enjoyed self-employment by creating a busy house cleaning business and is employed part-time by the Town of Dalton as a Recording Secretary.
Christine was raised in Becket Massachusetts, attending schools within the Central Berkshire Regional School District. She married her high school sweetheart and settled in Dalton where they enjoyed raising their two sons. In a quest for balance, she became a Reiki Master/Teacher and volunteered at Berkshire Health Systems Cancer Center providing sessions to patients while receiving treatments, in support of a year-long research study.
“After spending most of my adult life in the corporate world I am cherishing the balance Willow provides to utilize the professional skills I have developed, and to place emphasis on my own personal growth and development. Willow is a truly unique work environment, and I am extremely grateful to be given this opportunity. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with family and friends, working in the garden, and being a home body.”
Chief Development Officer
A native of Belgium, Pascal is a dynamic, multi-lingual professional well versed in a wide variety of business functions. For the past 12 years, as Founder and CEO of Quantumize, Pascal has provided executive and life coaching to a broad range of companies and individuals throughout Europe and the US. His clients are family offices, and companies in the banking, insurance, and investment management industries. He has also worked with companies in the retail, food, luxury goods, leisure, and cosmetics industries. Earlier, Pascal was an Operations and General Manager for companies in the food and leisure, and HR and consulting industries. He began his professional life as a Start-Up and Business Development Manager for a Brussels-based family owned business invested in the leisure industry.
Pascal completed training in Systematic Coaching, Destination Coaching Methodology, Transpersonal Psychotherapy, Systemic Constellation Work, Body-Oriented Trauma Resolution, and is an accredited practitioner of HeartMath, Insights Discovery, Emotional and Social Competence Indicator, and the Birth into Being Method.
After graduating from St Jan Berchmans, a renowned Jesuit High School in Brussels, Pascal also earned a combined BA/MA in English-Spanish Translation from the University of Brussels and holds an Executive MBA from Antwerp Management School (AMS).
“What I love about Willow is that its founder and leader is committed to self-reflection, transformation, and reaching her highest potential with the focus on doing good in the world. The depth and truth of Lydia Alexandra’s commitment makes it possible for me to really do my work as a Chief Development Officer—and make miracles happen. More importantly, taking her lead, the entire Willow team walks the path of self-discovery. If change in the world is desired, it can only occur with inner change first. I live by the credo, ‘The deeper I can look inside, the better eyes I will have to see You.’
“In my off-work time, I am engaged in personal development activities, enjoying time with close community, and travelling with my wife; I like islands, fresh mountain air, ocean swimming, and organic food. I am a seeker of truth. Helping others express their full potential to live a more joyful and liberated life is my true passion, so much of a passion that I recently co-founded a new company with my wife Lydia-Alexandra, UNITED INNER STATES OF FREEDOM, invested in helping individuals reach more inner freedom and enable them to live the lives they have always wanted. Additionally, we also work with Conscious Leaders willing to lead with Love ! If this appeals to you, get in touch with us: www.innerstatesoffreedom.com.
We are always on the lookout for passionate and aligned people to join us or explore collaborative ways in which we can work together to bring about loving change.
Are you an advisor, money manager, broker dealer, or wealth management practice looking for something new? Leverage your business on our heart-centered platform.
We are always on the lookout for passionate and aligned people to join us or explore collaborative ways in which we can work together to bring about loving change.
Are you an advisor, money manager, broker dealer, or wealth management practice looking for something new? Leverage your business on our heart-centered platform.
