Born from a fortuitous collision of Wall Street savvy and humanitarian passion, the Cordes Foundation emerged in 2006 when Ron Cordes and Marty Cordes decided that selling an investment management business shouldn't just create wealth—it should create change.

Ron, with his financial acumen and unexpected talent for getting lost in developing countries, paired perfectly with Marty's unwavering commitment to women's empowerment and superior navigation skills. Their global development experiences profoundly shaped the foundation's approach—prioritizing deep listening, local wisdom, and authentic partnerships over prescriptive interventions. This collaborative philosophy now guides all their work, ensuring investments address genuine needs rather than assumed solutions.

In 2014, Marty and Ron were joined by their daughter Steph Stephenson who traded the glossy corridors of Condé Nast for the gritty realities of sustainable supply chains, bringing her fashion industry connections and millennial perspective to the table. She was soon joined by Eric Stephenson, who navigated the delicate transition from "portfolio director" to "husband" while ensuring the foundation deployed 100% of its assets for impact with market-rate returns—proving that both relationship types benefit from careful due diligence and long-term commitment.

Today, this quartet operates with a refreshingly un-foundation-like fluidity, eschewing traditional office structures for a nimble, purpose-driven approach. They divide their time between connecting social entrepreneurs to resources, convening gatherings that strengthen impact ecosystems, and proving that ethical fashion isn't just a trend but a transformative economic force.

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