Partner Highlight: Justin Egdorf

Justin Egdorf is a powerhouse of purpose, blending financial savvy with a passion for global health, sustainability, and equity. From delivering medical care with Mercy Ships in West Africa to championing environmental finance at 1% for the Planet as the Vice President of Finance and Operations, Justin has consistently turned numbers into meaningful change. Now, as CFO of the YMCA of the Rockies, he's focused on connecting people—especially youth—to the great outdoors while advancing sustainability.

We sat down with Justin during his last few weeks at 1% for the Planet to discuss everything from how financial investments can drive real change to why women make incredible leaders—and he even shared the mantra that keeps him grounded in his mission to make the world a better place.

Premiums for the Planet: What advice would you give to finance professionals who want to integrate more sustainability and social impact into their work?

Justin Egdorf: You’ve got to be able to do the work. You can't just show up with your values and opinions. You need to demonstrate the sustainability value and facilitate decision-making that aligns with those values.

PFP: How can business leaders align financial investments with meaningful environmental and social impact while maintaining economic returns?

JE: Business leaders need to realize that where they invest their money directly drives change. Organizations like 1% for the Planet and Premiums for the Planet are creating a ripple effect. To truly motivate change, we need to communicate the economic benefits of intentional, high-quality investments. While some are willing to prioritize philanthropy or smaller-scale regenerative projects, the broader impact comes from showing that these investments can also be financially beneficial.

PFP: How would you like to see the finance field evolve to better integrate sustainability and social impact?

JE: I'd love to see sustainability and social impact baked into education—business schools, law schools, and even GED programs. Imagine if more people learned about purpose trusts, like Patagonia’s, as a viable business model. We need to teach future leaders that they can pursue profits and purpose simultaneously.

PFP: What unexpected job roles have you seen play a big part in sustainability efforts?

JE: Every single person in an organization should connect their role to the organizational strategy and sustainability initiatives. Everyone should be able to see how their work supports both the business and the planet.

PFP: What are your thoughts on elevating diverse voices and perspectives in organizations?

JE: When I was at Mercy Ships, it was just so obvious that we were serving West Africa, yet there were no West African voices. It was just so intuitively obvious to me and I was like, no, I've never been to West Africa. I'm making decisions on their behalf. 'What am I doing?'

I’ve also noticed that every time that I work for a female, they just get it. They understand the culture, they're not driving people to the point of burnout, they're building the people up, there's an intuition there that makes them great leaders. (1% for the Planet CEO) Kate Williams is the most impressive human I've ever had the opportunity to work for. She is incredible and her organization is going to do great things in the world. No doubt, nothing will stop it. I've never seen an organization that has more talent, business processes, and a more clear strategy, especially with the current political environment changing on us in the United States. So I prefer to work for a female and I'll be working for a female at the YMCA.

PFP: What personal mantra guides your approach to sustainability and social impact?

JE: If you ever feel sorry for yourself, find someone worse off and give them a helping hand. What you do for others, you inevitably do for yourself.