The death of capitalism – overcoming deepening inequality
How can investors work together to combat inequality?
In this podcast episode Amanda White speaks to the president of CalPERS, Henry Jones, about his own experience and the fund’s journey in tackling diversity and inclusion, in particular issues of racism.
It explores the role of the investment community in standing up and working together to shape a future which is just, equal, inclusive and deeply grounded in fundamental human and civil rights.
It discusses how CalPERS, the largest pension fund in the United States, is tackling these issues internally and through its investment allocations, but also how the industry can collectively change the status quo processes and behaviours around systemic inequality.
About Henry Jones
Henry Jones is serving his fourth term on the CalPERS Board of Administration and his second one-year term as president. Prior to being elected president, he served three years as vice president of the board.
He retired in 1998 from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) — the second largest in the nation. As chief financial officer, he oversaw LAUSD’s $7 billion annual budget. He also headed their Annuity Reserve Fund Board overseeing the pension fund for 7,000 schoolteachers and administrators.
He retired in 1998 from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) — the second largest in the nation. As chief financial officer, he oversaw LAUSD’s $7 billion annual budget. He also headed their Annuity Reserve Fund Board overseeing the pension fund for 7,000 schoolteachers and administrators.
Jones currently serves as a personnel commissioner for the Los Angeles Community College District. He is a member of the governing board of the Robert Toigo Foundation, a nonprofit organization that encourages minorities and women to pursue careers in finance. He also serves on the board of the Pacific Pension & Investment Institute, an educational organization that assists pension funds, corporations, financial institutions, and endowments worldwide with their fiduciary responsibilities, particularly in Asia and the Pacific region. Previously, he represented CalPERS on the Advisory Council of California All, a nonprofit organization focused on closing the achievement gap from preschool to professional careers in law, financial services, and technology.
He has served on the board of directors for Community Partners, a nonprofit organization that works with social entrepreneurs, grant makers, and civic leaders to design solutions, foster, launch, and sustain initiatives for change.
In addition, he was the state finance chair for the Association of California Schools Administrators; treasurer for the National Council of Institutional Investors; chairman of the Los Angeles Schools Federal Credit Union; business development executive for IBM Business Consulting Services; and principal consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers. ones also served as an adjunct professor at California State University, Los Angeles. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from California State University, Los Angeles.
About Amanda White
Amanda White is responsible for the content across all Conexus Financial’s institutional media and events. In addition to being the editor of Top1000funds.com, she is responsible for directing the global bi-annual Fiduciary Investors Symposium which challenges global investors on investment best practice and aims to place the responsibilities of investors in wider societal, and political contexts. She holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Masters of Art in Journalism and has been an investment journalist for more than 25 years. She is currently a fellow in the Finance Leaders Fellowship at the Aspen Institute. The two-year program seeks to develop the next generation of responsible, community-spirited leaders in the global finance industry.
Amanda White is responsible for the content across all Conexus Financial’s institutional media and events. In addition to being the editor of Top1000funds.com, she is responsible for directing the global bi-annual Fiduciary Investors Symposium which challenges global investors on investment best practice and aims to place the responsibilities of investors in wider societal, and political contexts. She holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Masters of Art in Journalism and has been an investment journalist for more than 25 years. She is currently a fellow in the Finance Leaders Fellowship at the Aspen Institute. The two-year program seeks to develop the next generation of responsible, community-spirited leaders in the global finance industry.
Sustainability in a time of crisis is a Top1000funds.com podcast collaboration with PRI, with support from Robeco
Sustainability issues have never been more important than they are right now. How can investors work together to use this unprecedented opportunity to put the promise of purpose-driven leadership and stakeholder capitalism into practice? This collaborative work with the PRI, with the support of Robeco, will showcase leadership in sustainability during a time of crisis.
