Lafayette Square, an impact-driven, minority-owned investment platform, has hired Stephen Usher as head of distribution. In this new role, Usher will lead business development and capital formation activities across Lafayette Square. Most recently, he was a partner at Standard General, where he headed business development efforts, was a member of the firm’s investment committee and helped manage the company’s trading business.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Stephen, and look forward to working with him to develop and launch strategic fundraising initiatives that align us with a strong base of like-minded investors,” said Damien Dwin, founder and CEO of Lafayette Square. “His knowledge of the space and key industry relationships will help us meet the needs of prospective investors, who are overwhelmingly starting to look for solutions that not only drive returns within the current low-rate environment but also sustainably drive impact.”

“It’s with great pleasure that I’m joining a firm that is at the forefront of confronting critical societal challenges through capital and services,” said Usher. “We have noticed accelerating demand from investors for impact-driven investment strategies within their portfolios, and I look forward to leading Lafayette Square’s business development efforts and in turn, helping investors achieve their goals.”