SAN FRANCISCO, CA - February 19, 2008 "“ Investors' Circle, a network of individual and institutional investors focused on sustainable business practices, has appointed Karyn Barsa to the newly created position of President. Ms. Barsa will have overall management responsibility for Investors' Circle operations, including development of strategies for achieving significant growth, visibility and impact.

"Karyn brings strong experience in mission-based enterprise, and understands well both sides of the equation: entrepreneur and investor," states Woody Tasch, Chairman of Investors' Circle. "Investors' Circle is at an inflection point, having played a leadership role for over a decade at the nexus of venture capital, social investing and philanthropy. Karyn's leadership will be invaluable in enabling us to deepen and broaden our impact."

Formerly CEO at Smith & Hawken, Ltd and COO/CFO at Patagonia, Ms. Barsa has led two vibrant organizations that serve as models for mission-based businesses around the world. Her career spans investment banking, commercial banking, and turnaround corporate finance. Ms. Barsa was most recently CEO at Embark Stores, Inc., where she led business plan development, operations and funds sourcing.

About Investors' Circle

The Investors' Circle network is comprised of angel investors, professional venture capitalists, foundations, family offices and others who are using private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable economy. Since 1992, Investors’ Circle has facilitated the flow of over $120 million into more than 190 companies and small funds addressing social and environmental issues. It has also incubated a number of triple-bottom-line entities, including Commons Capital, B. Lab and Slow Money.

Investors' Circle - SJF Institute

Investors' Circle - SJF Institute

SJF Institute was founded in 2001 as an independent nonprofit affiliate of SJF Ventures, a leading national impact investment venture capital fund. SJFI develops national and regional programs to connect, inspire and accelerate impact entrepreneurs and the fields that support them. SJFI has provided direct technical assistance to over 1500 impact entrepreneurs and has helped hundreds of others through its signature programs, including Getting Ready for Equity™, CleanLinks networking events, the SJF Cleantech Mentorship Program, the Green Jobs Award, and field-building reports such as Employees Matter: Maximizing Company Value Through Workforce Engagement.

Since 1992 Investors' Circle has built a network of over 150 angel investors, professional venture capitalists, foundations and family offices who are using private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable economy. During that time Investors' Circle has facilitated the flow of over $145 million into more than 220 companies and small funds addressing social and environmental issues. Members in IC's network of impact investors include some of the most experienced angels, early-stage and growth funds working to change the world.

Together, SJF Institute and Investors' Circle will increase entrepreneurs' access to capital, resources and networks, and will provide more opportunities for collaboration among impact investors.

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