Elyse Sainty, director in SVA's Impact Investing team and outcomes contracting advocate, spoke with Patrick Flynn, director of SVA's Public Affairs, to share her insights after 10 years leading SVA’s work in social impact bonds (SIBs).

In part 1 of this Q&A article, Elyse, one of the most experienced SIB practitioners in the country, explains what SIBs are, reflects on the initial SIBs and explores why the various parties get involved. Part 2 of the article will be published next month.

In the podcast of the full conversation, Elyse also reflects on the role of data and opportunities for data analysis that outcomes contracts provide, the lessons learnt, how state and federal governments can grow the benefits of this work, as well as what the future holds more broadly for outcomes contracting.