Building a career in “finance with a heart”
Snapshot
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New Jersey
Mission Investment Officer, Ford Foundation
Analyst, Citigroup
Bridging finance and impact
Growing up, I witnessed the power of both finance and mission-driven work through my dad’s banking career and my mom’s non-profit involvement. I was an economics major in college and, while I initially pursued a traditional financial path in fixed income, I felt drawn to align my career with my values. I wanted a bridge between finance and impact, so I sought out business schools with strong impact programs. Naturally, Fuqua was at the top of my list!
During my second year of business school, I set my sights on impact investing. Thankfully, just prior to graduation, I received an offer to join the Ford Foundation’s impact investing team. The Ford Foundation is a $16 billion global philanthropy focused on inequality, and has been a pioneer in the field of impact investing, establishing its first pool of impact investment capital in the late 1960s. When I joined in 2011, a four-person team was overseeing a $280 million Program-Related Investment (PRI) portfolio. Over the years, we grew to a staff of 11 overseeing a $350 million PRI portfolio and a $1 billion carve-out from the foundation’s endowment.
In my current role, I spend my days…
Helping to manage Ford’s PRI and MRI portfolio, which is largely comprised of private market investments across affordable housing, venture capital, and private equity. I meet with impact managers, underwrite new funds, and manage our portfolio. A pillar of our work on the Mission Investments team is to help grow the broader field of impact investing, so I also spend a significant share of my time collaborating with other investors who are at various stages of their impact investing work.
A recent impact highlight I am proud of
I am particularly proud of my role in helping to design and launch the Ford Foundation’s landmark $1 billion commitment to Mission Related Investments (MRIs). This initiative, envisioned by the foundation’s president, Darren Walker, was a significant undertaking. After nearly two years of collaborative work with internal and external committees, as well as our Trustees, we received approval for what was, at the time, the largest commitment to impact investing from a U.S. private foundation. The MRI program invests endowment capital, aiming for both attractive financial returns and meaningful social impact.
A resource I recommend to impact professionals
ImpactAlpha is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in the growing field of impact investing. They not only do a great job covering the impact investment space, but are also excellent at fostering a community of practitioners from the worlds of investing, sustainable finance, entrepreneurship, and more.
My tip for those pursuing a career in impact
Embrace a non-linear career path. You may have to spend several years building a skill set in one area or the other before finding the “dream job” for you. If you have a clear north star for your career, trust that the process will get you to your goal. But in the meantime, networking and connecting with professionals working in the field is crucial for understanding the various roles and organizations in impact.
A mindset that helps in my role
Working in this ever-evolving sector requires a growth mindset. Waiting for a perfect solution would lead us to sit on the sidelines for far too long. On my team at the Ford Foundation, we prioritize action and continual learning. Our goal is, and always has been, to lead via our learnings so others can join us. Learning by doing also means understanding that we will not always get things right. The most important thing is to take one step at a time and remain open and flexible to learn as you go because the world is a dynamic place and investors need to be nimble and ready to respond to changes as they arise. Even if the action is imperfect, it can lead to growth, progress, and powerful momentum over time.
How Fuqua influenced my journey
My time at Fuqua was absolutely foundational for where I am today. I entered Fuqua with a clear vision that my ultimate career would be “finance with a heart.” (I’m aging myself, but this was before Impact Investing was a common term!)
But, at the start of my second year, I was at a crossroads, debating a full-time offer to return to a traditional finance role. Two individuals became pivotal: Cathy Clark, whose class opened my eyes to the potential of a career in impact, and my then-classmate (now husband!), who encouraged me to pursue my ‘dream job’. That push led me to the Ford Foundation, where I’ve spent nearly 15 years. It’s safe to say, without Fuqua, I wouldn’t be where I am today.