Liz Roberts
About Liz Roberts
Liz Roberts is the Head of Impact Investing at MassMutual, where she leads initiatives to address inequality in capital access and advance racial equity.
Current Role at MassMutual
Liz Roberts is the Head of Impact Investing at MassMutual. In this role, she focuses on reducing structural inequities and advancing racial equity through innovative deal sourcing, selection, diligence, and underwriting. Roberts is spearheading two inaugural approaches to impact investing: MM Catalyst Funds and the First Fund Initiative. MM Catalyst Funds I targets equity and debt investments in Black-owned businesses across Massachusetts, while MM Catalyst Funds II invests nationally alongside First Funds in companies meeting both impact and financial return benchmarks. The First Fund Initiative allocates $150 million to invest in Black, Latino, and Indigenous emerging fund managers.
Previous Experience at Forager Ventures
From 2018 to 2020, Liz Roberts was a Managing Partner at Forager Ventures. During her tenure, she was responsible for overseeing venture investments and building partnerships. Her role included strategic planning and operational oversight, helping to drive the firm's mission to support innovative startups.
Leadership at Valley Venture Mentors
Between 2016 and 2018, Liz Roberts served as the CEO of Valley Venture Mentors (VVM) in the Springfield, Massachusetts Area. Prior to this, she held the position of General Manager for VVM's Accelerator from 2014 to 2016. In these roles, Roberts facilitated entrepreneurial mentorship, managed accelerator programs, and supported startups through various stages of growth. Her efforts contributed to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
Academic Background
Liz Roberts attended Smith College, where she studied Studio Art and Economics, earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. She also studied at Phillips Academy. Her academic background provided a strong foundation for her future roles in venture capital, strategy, and impact investing.
Impact Initiatives and Advocacy
In 2016, Liz Roberts was the Author and Champion of the Diversify Access to Capital Pledge in the Washington D.C. Metro Area. Her advocacy work focused on addressing inequalities in capital access, championing diverse fund managers, and supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. Roberts developed MassMutual’s Theory of Change to continue these efforts, aiming to challenge and reduce systemic barriers in the financial ecosystem.