ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Lydia–Alexandra Renders (formerly Dest) is the Founder and CEO of Willow Investments, a certified B-Corp and a designated WBE (Woman Based Enterprise) investment firm–one of the few woman-run firms with this distinction.

As Chief Investment Officer and Strategist, Alexandra is known for her keen intuitive calls around thematic trends and market cycles. With 36 years’ experience in the industry (34 years of which were managing investments), she works to make selections that benefit the world while helping her clients meet their goals.

Prior to establishing Willow in 2009, Alexandra served 14 years as First Vice President of Investments and part of senior management at Berkshire Bank, where she grew the assets from $70 to $750 million under management. In this capacity, she created strategies that weathered many market cycles, including the tech bubble and financial crisis. She created the Investment Advisor Division at U.S. Securities, Inc. and began her career as a compliance specialist at Advest, Inc. just prior to the market crash of 1987. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of Connecticut.

As the Managing Director at Willow Investments, an independent registered investment advisory firm located in Pittsfield, MA, Paul Farella works directly with the firm’s founder to manage client assets and strategy. He also leads the firm's cryptocurrency and digital assets division through Willow Crypto.

Paul is a member of the Stakeholder Council for the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), an international NGO that helps businesses, governments and other organizations understand and communicate their impacts on issues such as climate change, human rights and corruption. He also is an active member of the Digital Asset Council of Financial Professionals and earned the Certified Digital Asset Advisor designation from PlannerDAO. Paul serves on the board of directors for the Love of T Foundation, Inc., a non-profit focused on mental health awareness.

Paul holds an MBA with a focus on sustainability from Antioch University New England. He earned a BSBA in Economics and Finance from the Barney School of Business at the University of Hartford. An avid nature enthusiast and the father of three young children, Paul unwinds from work by playing his ukulele and guitar.

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