NEW YORK – 100 Women in Finance (‘100WF’), a global finance industry organization, today announces 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.
Questions about 100 Women in Finance may be directed to media@100women.org.
Questions about Black Hedge Fund Professionals Network may be directed to bhfpn@outlook.com.
About 100 Women in Finance
100 Women in Finance is a global network of nearly 20,000 registered members strengthen the global finance industry by empowering women to achieve their professional potential at each career stage. Its members inspire, equip and advocate for a new generation of industry leadership, in which women and men serve as investment professionals and executives, equal in achievement and impact. Through Education, Peer Engagement and Impact, the organization furthers the progress of women who have chosen finance as a career and enables their positive influence over pre-career young women. 100women.org
About Black Hedge Fund Professionals Network
Black Hedge Fund Professionals Network was launched in 2019 to create a shared space for black and brown professionals, and their allies working in the hedge fund industry. BHFPN’s mission is centered around facilitating the careers of black and brown professionals in the hedge fund industry through networking and career advancement opportunities, driving the pipeline of new black and brown entrants into the hedge fund industry through outreach and education, and engaging with industry leaders and HR professionals to facilitate the sharing of best practices to hire, retain and promote black and brown employees. The network has over 150 members and growing, with members spanning asset managers, allocators, investment consultants and service providers. Bhfpn.org