In 2020, the Investment Committee and the Investment Office embarked on three initiatives, described below, to address the underrepresentation of women and other underrepresented minorities within firms that manage the University’s investments and the investment industry at large:

1. Survey the University’s investment managers on their efforts to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion, and track their progress annually.
2. Identify, evaluate, and potentially make new investments in firms led by women and underrepresented minorities, and increase information sharing on such firms with endowment peers.
3. Create and support initiatives to improve opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities in the investment management industry.

Beyond possible gains in investment performance, achieving greater diversity among the endowment’s investment managers will further align the University with endowment stakeholders (including donors, students, faculty, and staff).  Additionally, pursuing these initiatives reflects the University’s mission-based culture and its values-based commitment.  The Investment Office will provide annual progress reports on these initiatives to University leaders and the Investment Committee.