About Me

I. Short version.😍 If you are short on time and just want to check if this site is for you.

Hi, welcome to Obsidian Odyssey! I am EJ Elena Shin. I’m a New Yorker at heart, global impact investor, and life-long seeker of meaning.

I work at the intersection of sustainable finance, impact investing, and systems change—and I care deeply about how we align capital with purpose.

But beyond the technical, I’m driven by something more human: the question of how we create a financial system that actually serves life—people, planet, and legacy.

Right now, I’m focused on building a future that’s both visionary and pragmatic—with impact frameworks that hold up in boardrooms and in the world.

I love connecting with people who are asking bigger questions—about capital, meaning, and what comes next. If that’s you, let’s talk.

Before we jump into the CV part - if you want to learn more about me as a person:

Of course, the resume alone never tells the full story.

Since I was little, I’ve had a vision close to my heart: that capitalism, reimagined, can be a force for good. This has been my north star since age four.

My global perspective and spiritual foundation were shaped by a uniquely cross-cultural upbringing. I come from a royal lineage rooted in public service and diplomacy in South Korea, tracing back to 57 B.C. This legacy of stewardship—of people, land, and capital—is woven into my DNA. Raised across continents, I’ve lived in North America, Europe, and Asia, and was profoundly influenced by my time with German and Israeli host families, as well as growing up among UN diplomats and global affairs.

These personal, political, and spiritual experiences have shaped how I view systems, leadership, and humanity. My journey—across more than 60 countries, from corporate boardrooms to the Vatican to the Himalayas—has given me a rare window into the inner workings of power, geopolitics, and capital. Having seen what unfolds behind closed doors, I am deeply committed to reimagining capitalism in the age of artificial intelligence—with compassion, balance, and long-term vision.

About my career journey:

With over 12 years of experience at the intersection of capital, climate, and governance, I spent a decade at BlackRock, where I helped lead sustainable investment strategy across New York and London—serving as portfolio manager, founding ESG architect, and climate researcher. During my tenure, I worked directly with the Head of EMEA and global CIOs on ESG integration, climate-aware Capital Market Assumptions models, and net zero strategy covering over $1-2 trillion AUM. Most recently, as Head of Climate Solutions at Aviva Investors, I focused on scaling net zero investment strategies across private and public markets and pioneering the use of geospatial technologies in carbon markets in structured finance, and now I am an impact investor.

I am privileged to be a Harvard, NYU, and Oxford alumna, and I’m very passionate about bridging institutional finance with systems-level thinking. Over the years, I’ve advised and provided solutions to global pensions, insurers, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, family offices, religious institutes, incl. the Vatican, asset managers, and mission-driven executives on how to align capital with sustainability goals both for performance and resilience.

Welcome aboard!:

I founded Obsidian Odyssey to connect with like-minded people and exchange ideas to co-create a sustainable future. It’s a platform and community for conscious capitalists, next-gen financial innovators, and soul-aligned leaders.

Our mission: to build a future where wealth restores nature, uplifts humanity, and protects animals—with soul and heart.

My dream is:

My long-term dream is to launch a grassroots foundation that stewards capital on behalf of Earth—healing people, restoring ecosystems, and channeling wealth into systems that regenerate, uplift, and protect all forms of life.

If you are reading this - thanks for your time and presence on Earth. Pleasure meeting you virtually here. I hope to see you in person one day.

Welcome aboard to Obsidian Odyssey.

Let's begin!

With deep gratitude and warm regards,
EJ Elena Shin

🔷 What Is This Platform?

Obsidian Odyssey is a strategic sanctuary and global platform—bridging finance, systems thinking, and consciousness to design a more just, sustainable future.

👉 Read About Obsidian Odyssey

🔶 Why Join the Community?

Because this is where next-generation thinkers gather—not just to network, but to redesign the systems that shape our world.
It’s free, private, and rooted in purpose.

🔶 How to Get Involved

Subscribe to the newsletter. Read or contribute to the blog. Pass along to your family, friends, and colleagues. Join future digital salons, gatherings, and retreats.
Come as you are; leave more whole.

Because you’re done with noise.
Each edition delivers signal: grounded insight, soul-fueled finance, and high-frequency reflections on where the world is heading.

Welcome to the Odyssey.

📬 To collaborate or contribute, please connect via LinkedIn.

🌀 Mission

To co-create a just, inclusive, and sustainable world—on Earth and beyond. 🌍✨

⚠️ Disclaimer

All views expressed are personal and do not represent any employer or affiliated institution. This platform is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

II. Long version. 🧐 If you have time and really want to get to know me. 🙂 I warned you - it’s long!

My dream is to create a society where people can THRIVE as their true selves and find inner peace through harmony with nature. To do this, I’m pursuing solutions through finance, knowing that we live in a capital-driven world. I aim to bridge the public and private sectors to shape a financial system that reflects human values and respects all living beings.

I have been looking for YOU. Partners and co-creators and the community of like-minded people, to build a more sustainable and equitable future.

🪐My journey thus far:

I've been on a mission-driven path for most of my life. It began when I was just four years old and pitched the idea of studying abroad to my parents, telling them I needed the best education possible to help people.

After nearly a decade of persistence, I left my birth country of South Korea to study in Toronto, Canada. I lived with a German host family, followed by a Jewish host family (not at the same time), and attended a gifted program focused on astronomy and quantum physics. Later, I moved to New York City and studied politics, international relations, and finance at NYU.

I landed my first job at BlackRock in NYC and spent the next decade growing there across New York and London. I wore many hats—multi-asset portfolio manager, global sustainable investing specialist, and ESG/climate integration lead. I partnered with institutional investors across the U.S., EMEA, Latin America, and Asia—co-creating investment strategies, designing ESG frameworks, and speaking at industry forums and lectures, including Cambridge University. I also authored thought leadership pieces on ESG policy, regulation, and portfolio construction.

(For more on my professional background, feel free to connect on LinkedIn.)

Before my asset management career, I explored various fields to find my true calling. I interned with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in South Korea, working on national security and ODA; with the International Vaccine Institute (a UN affiliate); and with several NGOs. I initially imagined becoming a diplomat or a human rights lawyer at the UN. But after witnessing how many good ideas failed due to lack of funding, I pivoted. I wanted to redirect capital—toward sustainable development, toward people, and toward systems that work.

To learn the financial system from the inside out, I interned in investment banking (M&A), private equity, and fixed income portfolio management in both NYC and Seoul.

I’ve also continued studying while working full-time—driven by a desire to contribute to shaping the blueprint for humanity’s future. I completed a Sustainability Master’s Certificate at Harvard University (3-year on-campus program), an Economic Development Certificate through LSE and the University of Cape Town, and an Executive Leadership Certificate at Oxford Saïd Business School.

Over the past 20 years, I’ve traveled to 60+ countries on pilgrimages and professional journeys—seeking models of governance, societal resilience, and meaning. I’ve become a quiet observer of humanity. These experiences have shaped not just how I think, but who I am.

As Maya Angelou said, “I come as one, but I stand as 10,000.”

🛰️Why I created this website:

“Memento Mori – remember your mortality.” — Marcus Aurelius

I’ve always been on a spiritual quest to find life’s purpose—aware that our time here is finite. While at university, I considered renouncing the world to meditate in the Himalayas and pursue spiritual enlightenment full-time (you can imagine how thrilled my parents were 😄). But I realized that fulfilling my mission required collaboration, connection, and community.

As we navigate a post-COVID world, I find myself asking deeper questions about what it means to be human, and how we can use our talents, tools, and capital to build something better.

This platform is my way of creating space—for dialogue, learning, and bold new ideas. I want to connect with people across finance, science, academia, entrepreneurship, and the creative arts. If you’re thinking about the future, reimagining what’s possible, or simply searching for a more thoughtful way forward, you’re in the right place.

Let’s build it—together.

💗My intentions for this space are three-fold:

Documentation + Community + Healing

I want to share my journey and connect with like-minded people from around the world. The saying goes “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Additionally, I hope this space can be a healing place for anyone, regardless of their background or labels. While I don't have all the answers, I want to share my journey and mistakes to spare others unnecessary pain and suffering. As a species, we evolve by learning from each other. Each of us is on our own hero's journey, and I look forward to learning about yours. Please come and say hello!

😊A few rules of engagement:

Positive vibes only. No egos. Be kind. Remember your mortality. This is a safe space. Share knowledge, laughter, and optimism. SHINE YOUR LIGHT AND SMILE! If you're feeling down, observe and let this community inspire you. Let's help each other regain strength and energy.