About Shawn Lesser

Shawn Lesser is a global speaker, impact investing pioneer, and mental health advocate working at the intersection of leadership, capital, and human connection.

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With more than 30 years in finance, Shawn co-founded the first impact-investing investment bank and helped grow what is now a $1.5 trillion global industry. He worked on 50+ direct deals and served as a placement agent for more impact funds than anyone else globally, connecting institutional investors, family offices, and philanthropists to opportunities that delivered both financial returns and measurable social impact.

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Despite professional success, Shawn faced his own mental health struggles. After years of pushing through, he experienced a breakdown that forced him to pause and rethink what truly mattered. That moment became the catalyst for founding THE REAL Mental Health Foundation, focused on advancing mental health through honest conversation, community, and innovation.

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Today, Shawn speaks globally on adversity, reinvention, vulnerability as a leadership strength, and mental health as both a human and economic imperative. His talks combine lived experience with strategic insight—leaving audiences inspired, grounded, and equipped to act.

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Shawn’s journey is a powerful reminder that authenticity and vulnerability aren’t weaknesses—they’re essential tools for leadership, growth, and meaningful change.