Better Bonds and Best Practices

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Muni bonds fund 2/3 of all U.S. built infrastructure. Our better bonds team works to address the challenges of 50,000+ diverse muni market issuers, inspire outcomes-based thinking, promote equitable uses of bond proceeds, and incentivize critical best practices such as better asset management and procurement to scale up the impact of public financing. We also facilitate the CFO Forum, a semi-annual event gathering 10-20 municipal chief financial offers from major cities around the country to discuss relevant topics and share resources surrounding city budgetary and fiscal issues. These forums include guest panelists and tours of pertinent infrastructure projects. The most recent forums were in San Diego, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.

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Community Infrastructure Center

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The Community Infrastructure Center (CIC) is an innovative solution to scale up equitable capital deployment and accelerate community-led community infrastructure projects in historically underserved communities. The CIC offers free technical assistance capacity for community project sponsors, project advancement tools, and links to a wide range of sources—including impact and institutional investors, federal and state grants, philanthropy, and project development expertise.

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Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship

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Small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy. They account for almost half of our GDP and employ nearly half of all private-sector workers. Entrepreneurs of color represent the fastest growing segment of the small business market, yet they have the least access to capital. They are more likely to be denied credit; more likely to pay high interest rates; and less likely to apply for loans out of fear of being denied.

The Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE) is a national effort to expand access to capital for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged business owners. IIE harnesses the power of public-private collaboration to ensure the equitable implementation of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s $10 billion State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), 40% of which is designated for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals (SEDI).

If you would like to learn more about the Initiative for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (IIE), please visit our partner’s website.

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Geo-Economics, Climate Resilience, and AI

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​​​​​​The Geo-Economics Initiative (GEO) helps government, businesses, and community leaders navigate a new era of economic and policy disruption within the areas of climate adaptation, supply chain resilience, and navigating emerging technologies. GEO develops and implements solutions through conducting innovative research, convening key stakeholders, and mobilizing capital. 

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Kim Y. Lew

Inclusive Capitalism Executive Council Member
Kim Y. Lew is CEO of Columbia Investment Management Company, which manages the endowment of Columbia University in the city of New York.
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Jarvis V. Hollingsworth

Inclusive Capitalism Executive Council Member
Jarvis V. Hollingsworth is vice chairman and chief operating officer of Irradiant Partners LP, an investment advisor that focuses on investments in renewable energy and liquid and private credit.
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Marcos Rodriguez

Inclusive Capitalism Executive Council Member
Marcos Rodriguez founded Palladium in 1997 and serves as chairman and chief executive officer.
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Carlos Rangel

Inclusive Capitalism Executive Council Member
Carlos Rangel is vice president and chief investment officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan. In this role, he supports the foundation’s efforts to promote thriving children, working families, and equitable communities.
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Eric P. Epstein

Inclusive Capitalism Executive Council Member
Eric Epstein joined Davidson Kempner in February 2000, became a managing member in January 2004 and president in January 2020.