Toigo Making News
Here's a look at Toigo Fellows and the Foundation—and how we're making news. As a partner to industry, Toigo is consistently sought to offer valuable insights into issues relating to diversity, graduate business school education, and helping firms keep an eye on long-term strategic diversity goals.
To view the full articles, please visit the publications website and search on the article title.
- 2010 / In the News
- 2009 / In the News
- 2008 / In the News
- 2007 / In the News
- 2006 & 2005 / In the News
2010 / In the News
CalPERS Appoints Tim Legesse Investment Officer For Diversity
March 2010
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) has named Tim Legesse (Toigo Alumnus, UC Berkeley/Haas '94) its new Investment Officer for Diversity. Legesse, 44, will be responsible for reaching out to new and emerging money managers, acting as a point of contact for investment professionals seeking to do business with the nation’s largest public pension fund. He also will work across CalPERS five asset classes on diversity initiatives and programs, while keeping the financial community informed about the Fund’s policies.
MBA Candidates Say Bad Economy Does Not Bother Them
March 2010
"Jobs, jobs, jobs. Everyone is thinking it but not necessarily talking hiring, especially Wall Street. Young Employees This paradigm was foremost in my mind on Friday as I listened to prospective MBA candidates go through simulations of the various functions within the finance industry at an event hosted by the Robert Toigo Foundation. The event was meant to bring minority MBA candidates in direct contact with Wall Street bankers to experience typical day in their lives and allow them a peek into a banker's many job functions. As bankers from Goldman Sachs, Citibank, J.P. Morgan, and later Credit Suisse, UBS, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch took the students through the art of negotiation, mergers, private equity, wealth management, and even the sales and trading desk, recruiters sat in the shadows observing, aiming to spot early talent. Almost all of them said they had actively recruited this year. Not huge numbers, but hiring had taken place."
Kellogg Foundation Names Director of Investments
February 2010
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation announces the selection of Reginald G. Sanders (Toigo Alumnus, Harvard '02) as a director of investments for the foundation. He will join the staff March 1, reporting to Vice President/Chief Investment Officer Joel Wittenberg. In his new role, Sanders will be responsible for investment policy and strategy, and portfolio and investment management.
2009 / In the News
Absolute Return & Alpha
Adam Karr (Toigo Alumnus, Harvard '97) Gives Back to Toigo.
December 2009
"Now that Karr is a success in the financial industry, his connection to the foundation is stronger than ever. He
can often be found on the phone, taking calls from Toigo fellows who are interested in a career in hedge funds.
A trustee of the Toigo Alumni Endowment, Karr, along with Orbis, is responsible for the endowment's first $1
million gift (in the spring of 2009), which Toigo Foundation cofounder Sue Toigo says "reset the bar for
graduate giving."
Toigo Launches New Private Equity Post-Graduate Fellowship
The Carlyle Group Pledges $1 Million as Inaugural Partner
October 22, 2009
The Robert Toigo Foundation and global private equity firm The
Carlyle Group today announced the launch of the Toigo Private Equity MBA Fellowship, an industry
initiative aimed at attracting minority MBA graduates to the sector. Serving as the Fellowship’s
inaugural partner, The Carlyle Group has pledged $1 million over four years to support Toigo’s launch
of the effort. Toigo is a non-profit organization that has supported the development of minority MBAs
as finance leaders for the past 20 years.
Featured in WSJ PE Beat (blog)/Dow Jones LBO Wire,
New York Times DealBook Blogs, Reuters Blogs, Washington Business Journal
The Stern Opportunity: The Voice of NYU's Stern School of Business
Allan Boomer: Raising the Bar of Alumni Excellence
October 20, 1009
Toigo Alumnus Alan Boomer (NYU Stern '04) always finds ways to give-back--a core tenet of Toigo Fellowship. A Vice President in Goldman Sachs' Private Wealth Management Group, Boomer serves as Chairman of the NYU Stern Alumni Council and was recently named Association of Hispanic and Black Business Students Distinguished Alumnus of the year. His devoted service to the school and his insights into his success as a finance professional and community leader are featured in this Stern Opportunity profile.
Fortune Magazine | Dotcom Diva: Partners in Style
September 2009
Toigo Alumna Alexandra Wilkis Wilson (Harvard '99) and her business partners Alexis Maybank (Harvard '97) dreamed up and launched Gilt Groupe, an online invitation-only site that brings New York sample sales to fashionistas worldwide. Funding from former DoubleClick CEO Kevin Ryan and venture capitalist firm Matrix Partners, helped the duo launched Gilt in 2007. The site now has 1 million-plus members and posted nearly $100 million in revenue in 2008.
Click here to learn more about Gilt Groupe.
CBNC: Smart Money | Featured Interview
August 11, 2009
Toigo Alumnus Eddie Ramos of Morgan Stanley / Van Kampen International Advantage fund provides perspectives to the Smart Money hosts—and CNBC viewers. The Toigo Alum, whose fund is up 28% in 2009, discusses emerging markets, shifting demographics and smart investment.
Rosie Rios, MacFarlane Partners-Mananging Director of Investments, Confirmed as Treasurer of the U.S.
JULY 28, 2009
The United States Senate confirms Toigo Foundation Advisory Board Member Rosa Gumataotao Rios as Treasurer of the United States.
Managers, Minority Leaders Gather for Conference, Gala
July 2009
This full-page feature covers Toigo’s 20th Anniversary Gala as well as the Annual Plan Sponsor & Minority Manager Consortium held for the first time this year in Los Angeles. The story includes an interview with Sue Toigo, and photos of various attendees.
SF Gate: Leah's List: Day One - Introduction
July 6, 2009
Leah D. Williams (CEO, Strategies, LLC) spotlightes corporate, non-profit, education and community leaders from across the United States. In her inaugural "Leah's List" she includes, Toigo Foundation President, Nancy Sims.
Raging Bulls: End of the Recession
July 1, 2009
Toigo Alumnus Eddie Ramos of Van Kampen Investments was featured on CNBC providing timely perspectives on global and US markets.
BusinessWeek
June 29, 2009
Emory Admissions Tips
Associate dean and director of admissions at Emory's Goizueta School of Business Julie Barefoot talks about the importance diversity in the student body, and its work with Toigo. She also offers sound advice regarding an applicant's most significant achievement and why the school values interviews.
Capital IQ
June 11, 2009
On the Move
Pharos Capital Group, LLC, a private equity firm based in Dallas and Nashville, announced the promotion of Joseph Acevedo, a Toigo Alumnus, from Associate to Vice President. Acevedo joined Pharos in 2006 as an Associate and has over a dozen years of experience as a private equity, media, and Wall Street professional. Prior to joining Pharos, Acevedo was Director of Business Development at Univision Communications, Inc. where he launched and managed the company's home entertainment division. Acevedo graduated from Harvard College with a BA, cum laude, in Government and holds an MBA in Finance from the Wharton School, where he was a Toigo Foundation Fellow.
Northern Trust Executive Loves 'Being Part of Something Important'
April 27, 2009 A Q&A with Toigo Alumnus, Shundrawn Thomas, (President, Northern Trust Securities) who says, as a child, he knew he wanted to be in the business world. He talks about balancing family, faith and finance.
Ambitious Toigo Foundation Puts Stock in Minority Capital
Jan 2009
Wall Street hardly has been a safe haven for aspiring and ambitious minority MBA graduates. But that is where the Robert Toigo Foundation comes in. Diversified Recruitment Inc.'s resource article outlines the story of Toigo and its mission of effectively smoothing the waters for minority graduates and positioning them for success and leadership in today's demanding global finance economy. By doing so, the Foundation has built an infrastructure to foster economic development in underserved communities.
The Wall Street Journal
Schools Get Creative to Hike Minority M.B.A. Enrollment
By Pepi Sappal
January 2009
An inside look at the challenges--and opportunities--facing minority MBA applicants. A host of resources, including the Toigo Foundation, are referenced in this Career Journal article.
NAIC & TMC Celebrate Change
The National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC) and The Marathon Club for Entrepreneurship (TMC) hosted "The Pathway to Minority Wealth Creation", The Private Equity Industry Inaugural Gala Reception on Sunday, January 18th, 2009. The event honors the election of Barack H. Obama as the 44th President of the United States and features remarks from the organizations' leadership, business innovators and key elected officials from across the nation. The NAIC and TMC partnered to host this event to acknowledge an important change, contribute to the strengthening of our economy, and to actively support the new Administration. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship and the Robert Toigo Foundation.
2008 / In the News
Black Collegian
December 2008
Black Students Wanted for Careers in Finance
This story spotlights the Toigo Foundation's Facebook strategy of outreach to prospective MBAs.
Institutional Real Estate Letter
November 2008
This diversity-focused trend story reports progress made to date in building the minority talent pool and serves as a call to action for continued diversity recruitment in institutional real estate. The Toigo Foundation is prominently covered in this feature.
October 2008
The Robert Toigo Foundation Launches Facebook Community
Toigo Foundation Launches Facebook Community
for Future Fellows - And Finance Leaders
Committed to change the face of finance by educating minorities about career possibilities within the field of finance, the Robert Toigo Foundation today launched a new Toigo Fellowship Facebook page complete with MBA application tips, Fellowship information and more. "Toigo's Fellowship Facebook is bringing together young professionals of color who share a common interest in pursuing an MBA and a career in finance - and bringing them together online, in a way they prefer to share and find information.'
BusinessWeek
September 25, 2008
Financial Crisis Puts Diversity Gains at Risk
Advocates for diversity hiring on Wall Street worry that the financial crisis will derail progress, according to this BusinessWeek. Yvonne Hart, associate director of MBA student programming at Toigo, noted the Foundation has been keeping a close eye on how the financial crisis is affecting minority students. "There will be more people for fewer seats, and experienced people, who maybe out of desperation might be more amenable to taking a role for a junior person. So what does that do to that junior person out there? It's one of our main concerns."
Emerging Manager Monthly
July 2, 2008
Mar Vista Founder Honored At Robert Toigo Foundation Gala
Toigo Alum Silas Myers, CEO of Roxbury affiliate Mar Vista Investment Partners, received the "Leading by Example" award at the 7th annual Robert Toigo Foundation Gala.
Kauffman Fellows Program eBulletin
June 27, 2008
KFP Presents at Toigo Career Fair
Kauffman Foundation's Center for Venture Education thanks Toigo Alum Daphne Dufresne for leading the KFP's marketing efforts at the annual Robert Toigo Foundation Gala and career fair in New York.
The Roxbury Report
Summer 2008
Silas Myers Receives Industry Award
Mar Vista Investment Partners celebrates Silas Myers, CEO of Roxbury affiliate for his recognition and receipt of Toigo's "Leading by Example" award at the seventh annual Robert Toigo Foundation Gala.
Investment News
April 28, 2008
Toigo announces its intention to revisit its Retention Returns survey and provide the finance industry with a Fall 2008 assessment of how recent market trends and workforce cutbacks are affecting minority professionals.
La Opinion
March 9, 2008
Una via para ser empresario
The nation's leadiing Spanish-language paper covers Toigo's recent move to open up Fellowship applications to JD/MBAs and Masters in Finance Students. Toigo President, Nancy Sims, offers insights into the importance for expanding beyond MBAs as finance firms recruit more broadly.
Hispanic Business
March 3, 2008
In Sickness and Wealth Management
There's a growing need for more Hispanic finance professionals-especially within the field of private wealth management. Toigo's work is highlighted as an example of efforts being made in partnership with leaders in finance.
Investment News
March 3, 2008
Hiring Women, Minorities Increases Slightly
Toigo President, Nancy Sims provides insights regarding the increase of women and people of color in the finance talent pool-and the need and importance for the industry to continue to recruit and retain more minorities.
Black Enterprise
March 1, 2008
A New Type of Gentrification
Finance professionals of color are giving back to help pave the way for future generations. The Robert Toigo Foundation and its Fellows are part of the trend.
Emerging Manager Monthly
March 2008
Matterhorn Takes International Equity Product to Inst'l Space
Hispanic-owned Matterhorn Capital Management, which boasts an international equity portfolio and has seen its assets double over the last year. Toigo President, Nancy Sims provides insights.
CQ Transcripts
February 6, 2008
Subcommittee Hearing on 'Diversity in the Financial Services Sector'
Review Toigo President Nancy Sims' remarks before the U.S. Congress-and her call to action for the finance industry to find ways to recruit and retain more minority talent and ensure their workforces better reflect the markets they serve.
US Fed News
January 31, 2008
Comptroller DiNapoli Names Chief Investment Officer
Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli named Toigo Alumna and Board Member Raudline Etienne as Chief Investment Officer for the $154 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund. Previously, Etienne was Managing Director at Rogerscasey.
Pensions & Investments
January 31, 2008
N.Y. State Common Picks New CIO
Toigo Board Member and Alumna, Raudline Etienne, is spotlighted in this news story focused on her appointment as CIO of the $154 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund, Albany.
