Our Approach
Semper Fortuna_ Financial Advisory for a Sustainable Future is dedicated to providing sustainable financial solutions. Through personalized strategies and expert guidance, we help our clients navigate the complexities of financial planning, investment, and wealth management, allowing them to focus on what they do best.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
Luke Apicella
INNOVATIVE INVESTOR, PORTFOLIO MANAGER, AND ADVISOR
A seasoned investment leader with a unique track record in private alternative investments, Luke Apicella has accomplished significant milestones, including reaching a $1 billion sustainability and impact investment portfolio. He has extensive experience in origination, underwriting, asset management and exits across various sectors such as housing, mixed-use real estate, renewable energy, climate solutions infrastructure, PWD, and food. Luke excels in developing investment strategies for asset owners and creating investment products for asset managers. His leadership extends to board and committee roles in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT), private equity funds, CDFIs, and small businesses. Additionally, he teaches sustainable finance at the master's level at his almamater Columbia University and holds advanced degrees in sustainability management, finance, and entrepreneurship.
Education
Masters
Columbia University
2015
Columbia University, Columbia Climate School,
Master of Science (MS), Studies in Sustainability Management GPA 4.0
MBA
New York University
2012
New York University, Stern School of Business,
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Finance; Entrepreneurship and Innovation
BS
Syracuse University
2005
Martin J. Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University
Bachelor of Science (BS), Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises; Finance
Teaching
Adjunct Professor
Columbia University
2023 - Present
Columbia University, Columbia Climate School
Luke teaches a course in Sustainable Finance
Investment Experience
2005 – 2024
Prudential Financial, Inc., Newark, NJ (2005 – 2024)
2020-2024
Vice President, PGIM Private Alternatives, Sustainable Investing
Co-managed a $1 billion sustainability and impact investment portfolio as part of PGIM’s Sustainable Investments platform, with direct responsibility for approximately $350 million.
2019 – 2020
Director, Prudential, Impact and Responsible Investments
2016 – 2019
Manager, Prudential, Impact and Responsible Investments
2012 – 2016
Associate Manager, Prudential, Impact Investments
2010 – 2012
Senior Investment Analyst, Prudential, Impact Investments
2007 – 2010
Analyst, Prudential, Social Investments
2005 – 2007
Associate, Prudential
Professional Accomplishments
Transactions and Asset Management
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Sourced, underwrote, recommended, and closed approximately five transactions annually, typically ranging from $2-$25 million, totaling 54 transactions and approximately $400 million recommended. These included direct equity, LP interests in private equity and venture capital funds, project finance debt, private placement secured and unsecured corporate debt, mortgages, and various federal and state tax credits.
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Managed a portfolio of 30-40 investments, including sustainable housing, commercial real estate, waste-to-energy, and other distributed infrastructure. Also engaged in venture and growth investing for businesses in food, education, start-up asset managers and real estate developers, and other impact industries.
Strategy and Product Development
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Developed investment strategies for net zero real estate and local real estate fund series.
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Created an affordable housing equity strategy, underpinning a private equity fund expected to manage over $500 million in third-party capital by PGIM Real Estate.
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Designed a bridge loan product with PGIM Real Estate to reach $100 million in annual originations.
Impact Measurement
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Established impact measurement frameworks and processes within investment recommendations, including impact theses and key performance indicators (KPIs).
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Collaborated with impact measurement frameworks and consultants such as IFC’s Impact Management Principles, Impact Management Project / Impact Frontiers, PRI, UN SDGs, BlueMark / Tideline, B Lab / GIIRS, GIIN / IRIS, FSG Shared Value, etc.
Speaking Engagements
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Frequently spoke on panels and lectured at events such as Accelerate 2050 (2024), the United Nations Roundtable on Decarbonizing the Built Environment (2023), US Chamber of Commerce (2021), Impact Finance Center (2021), Rutgers University and Washington Fellows (2019), CAPRE Real Estate Conference (2018), New Jersey Sustainability Summit (2016), Sustainatopia Boston (2016), COIN Investment Summit (2016), Impact Capitalism Summit (2015), SOCAP, Igniting Communities (2014), and ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing, Healthy Housing Healthy Places (2014).
Operations and Finance
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Led the implementation of procedures for asset management, portfolio reporting, impact measurement, and CRM through a Salesforce.com database.
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Conducted profit center budget analysis and portfolio activity performance analysis relative to financial markets, valuing private alternative investments using various financial methods, including discounted cash flow, collateral appraisals, comparable multiples, and Black Scholes.
Professional Board Service
2015 - Present
Investment Committee Member: Disability Opportunity Fund
2024 - Present
Investment Committee Member: Impact Capital
2024 - Present
President: Tree of Water and Power, Inc.
2019 - Present
​Member: Global Adaptation and Resilience Investment (GARI)
2014 - 2024
Director: Housing Partnership Equity Trust REIT
2020 - 2024
Committee Member: Prudential Climate Change Policy Task Force
2013 - 2020
Committee Member: Prudential Environmental Task Force
2013 – 2017;
2020 - 2023
Credit Committee Member: New Jersey Community Capital
2012 - 2024
Manager: Ironbound Studios
2019 - 2021
Member: Aspen Institute Housing Advisory Group
2013- 2024
Advisor: Various advisory committees for private equity funds including: Avanath Housing, Jonathan Rose Housing, Center Creek Housing, Wastewater Opportunity Fund, and SJF Ventures