NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Friday, January 19, 2018

Athena Capital Advisors, a privately owned, independent registered investment advisor serving high net worth private clients, foundations and endowments, has released a whitepaper on investing to achieve gender equality. The paper offers a practitioner’s perspective on gender lens investing and the construction of gender inclusive investment portfolios.

Titled, “Investing in Gender Equality,” the paper was authored by members of Athena Capital’s Impact Investing team, including Lisette Cooper, the firm’s founder and chief investment officer; Kate Huntington, Managing Director, Research; and Jeff Finkelman, Research Associate, Impact Investments.

“As a female-founded firm, we are often called upon to share our insights on gender lens investing. A growing number of investors are asking how they can allocate capital in ways that have a meaningful impact on gender inequality,” said Cooper. “This white paper compiles our best research on the topic of investing in gender equality and draws directly from our experience working with clients who share this priority and are building portfolios with a gender lens while also seeking market-rate returns.”

The whitepaper explores the basic methods of integrating gender into financial analysis and examines various types of gender investment strategies currently available in the market. Athena Capital provides guidance on how these practices come together in the context of building an investment portfolio. The paper also includes a case study based on a current client of the firm who is committed to using her portfolio to expand opportunities for women in finance and the broader economy.

“Achieving gender equality is not only a moral obligation, as recognized by the United Nations, but it also represents a business and investment opportunity,” said Cooper. “Gender inclusive strategies and portfolios aim to empower women by advancing workplace equity, creating new services and products, and increasing access to capital.”

A copy of the white paper can be accessed here.

ABOUT ATHENA CAPITAL ADVISORS
Athena Capital Advisors is a privately owned registered investment advisor founded in 1993 by Dr. Lisette Cooper. The firm has approximately $5.5 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2016, with offices in Lincoln, MA; New York City, NY; and San Francisco, CA. Athena offers clients investment advice and management as their external chief investment officer, as well as wealth planning, impact investing, and investment administration and reporting services. Its clients include both tax-exempt institutions and taxable families. Athena uses a research-driven approach to strategic and tactical asset allocation to provide solutions that are customized to each client’s particular circumstances and objectives. For additional information on Athena Capital Advisors, please visit www.athenacapital.com.

Photo courtesy of European Biomass Conference and Exhibition.