At the end of September, Paloma Sjahrir Foundation partnered with YCAB Foundation to host “Paloma Circles: Women Investors Social”, our regular gathering that brings together women investors and changemakers to explore how capital can drive meaningful impact.
At this event, our Chairperson Ratna Kartadjoemena moderated a fireside chat with Veronica Colondam, drawing on her experience as CEO of YCAB Foundation and Independent Commissioner at PT PNM. Veronica shared how YCAB has grown from its philanthropic roots to also embrace impact investing, deepening its mission to create lasting change. She highlighted YCAB’s flagship program, which empowers mothers through microfinance while supporting their children’s education, and its expansion into investing in early-stage social enterprises—combining capital and capacity support to scale impact across Indonesia.
Veronica also highlighted PT PNM’s Rp16 trillion Orange Bond program, which includes a Rp6 trillion Orange Bond and a Rp10 billion Orange Sukuk — Indonesia’s largest Orange Bond and the world’s first Orange Sukuk. This milestone demonstrates how innovative finance can connect global capital markets to millions of underserved women, advancing inclusive growth and gender equality.
The evening concluded with reflections from participants on what it truly means to invest with impact — not as added risk, but as a way to build more resilient, purposeful portfolios. They exchanged insights on how impact can be measured not only through returns, but through tangible improvements in livelihoods, communities, and the environment. We closed by sharing our hope that this community of women investors will continue to thrive and sustain its mission of driving meaningful, lasting change.
