Kulu Maphalala

I have had a strong interest in social justice and political activism since childhood, and I have pursued these issues in my personal and professional life. I attended Bard College at Simon’s Rock and Pomona College, where I studied international relations and politics in the Middle East and North Africa. During my academic career, I spent time in Morocco and Switzerland with the School of International Training. In Morocco, my studies focused on multicultural relations and the effect French colonialism, specifically the French language, has had on Moroccan education. In Switzerland, I focused on international nuclear policy.

After graduating, I worked in the Federal government on issues related to consumer protection, technology policy, and international relations at the U.S. Department of Justice and in the U.S. Senate. Though this was an important learning experience for me, it also highlighted the fundamental socio-political shortcomings embedded in the United States’ system. This encouraged me to meet my desire to make change at the systems level in a new way. In 2021, I decided to transition toward Social Finance and began my work with Natural Investments, as part of Malaika Maphalala’s advisory team. Since passing my Series 65 exam, I have worked alongside Malaika as her Junior Advisor, providing portfolio management and financial planning to clients across the United States.

After many years living on the West and East Coasts, I moved back to my home state of Hawaii in 2020 and currently reside on the Big Island of Hawaii with my cat Portia. I enjoy painting, hiking, swimming, and traveling.