Opalesque Industry Update - 100 Women in Finance (100WF), a global finance industry organization, announced that it has entered into a partnership with Black Hedge Fund Professionals Network (BHFPN), a non-profit organization based in New York that seeks to support the careers of black and brown professionals in the hedge fund industry. This is the second such partnership 100WF has entered into in recent months to advance the careers of professionals of color, through co-programming and speaker referrals, membership reciprocity arrangements, and support of early career professionals seeking to enter the finance industry.
Launched in 2019, BHFPN is a growing and supportive community for black and brown professionals who are otherwise underrepresented in the hedge fund industry. The group offers education, career advancement tools and mentorship through its networking and speaker events and various other activities. The group also leverages its platform to engage with industry leaders on hiring, retaining, and promoting black and brown employees. 100WF CEO Amanda Pullinger stated, "100 Women in Finance began very similarly to BHFPN-three women in the hedge fund industry saw a need to create a community for professionals who were underrepresented in the hedge fund industry. Twenty years later, our mission continues with an even greater focus on diversifying the broader finance industry. Supporting organizations like BHFPN only serves to reinforce this effort. I am certain that a partnership with BHFPN will further align our interests and the needs of our increasingly diverse, global membership." Andra Ofosu, co-founder of Black Hedge Fund Professionals Network and Director, US Sales at Aspect Capital noted, "BHFPN is excited to work with 100WF on our shared goal of raising visibility for black and brown professionals in the hedge fund industry, as well as supporting the careers of our members through networking opportunities. This partnership will enable BHFPN to offer additional resources to our members and will also serve as a platform to highlight the knowledge and spectacular accomplishments of black and brown professionals in the hedge fund industry. BHFPN seeks to be a resource and support system that allows its members to grow and advance in their careers. The group also serves as a space for open dialogue on hiring, retaining and promoting underrepresented minorities in the hedge fund industry. Our partnership with 100WF will open up the ways in which we are able to offer support to our members, as well as expand the audience with whom we can actively engage on the topic of diversity and representation." Angela Outlaw-Matheny, BHFPN Advisory Board Member and Director of Investment Staff & Diverse Manager Equity at Crewcial Partners also noted, "I am excited for this partnership with 100WF and the wider platform it will afford our network to continue to engage in meaningful dialogue on sourcing, hiring and retaining diverse talent. I believe that you cannot solve a problem until you admit that a problem exists. My reoccurring goal is to be in rooms where the dialogue is different and follow it by calls to action. That is what is so intriguing about my role and this network. Working in concert with our industry leadership at Crewcial Partners and with groups like BHFPN and 100WF, we can continue to uncover differentiated talent and build better portfolios by way of increased focus on diversity and inclusion." Initially, 100WF will help accelerate BHFPN's growth by assisting with pro bono legal entity formation services, reciprocal memberships and by offering the opportunity to raise the profiles of its members through 100WF's visibility program (FundWomen, 100WomenFinTech, Allocator Showcase). An inaugural co-programmed event is also planned for April 7th and will feature a fireside chat with Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Managing Director & Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at BlackRock. Michelle will share with the audience her journey through the asset management industry and her views on how our industry can better support the careers of black women in asset management. Details of the event will be shared with BHFPN and 100 Women in Finance members in the coming weeks.
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Industry Updates
100 Women in Finance to support black and brown professionals in the hedge fund industry
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
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