Impact Careers, Decoded: Perspectives from IMM Professionals

Professionals in impact measurement and management (IMM) come from a variety of professional backgrounds, some getting into IMM from a field-building or standard setting role, some from consulting, and others from Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL). A recent survey of IMM professionals within the impact investing industry provided evidence of these varying career paths – in fact, over 35% of respondents came to IMM with a background in MEL role. The survey also showed high levels of job satisfaction overall, but an eagerness for more growth opportunities, climate expertise, and data skills. In particular, those with a MEL background reported lower job satisfaction and weaker internal influence within their organizations. This webinar featured co-researchers Genevieve Edens, who got her IMM start at a social enterprise and a field-building organization, and Caitlin Rosser, who studied M&E in grad school and then got her IMM start through internal promotion. They unpacked the survey data and offered insights into critical questions facing IMM professionals today. Attendees discussed MEL as an entry point into IMM, and how MEL skills and experience translate into impact investing jobs. The webinar presentation focused on what survey respondents said about career trajectory, technical expertise and data skills, and internal leadership.