Virtual Event: Innovating for Social Equity: How Private Market Investors Affect Change

From a global pandemic, economic devastation, and social unrest sparked by systemic racism, the past six months have laid bare the deep disparities that persist in our country. These multilayered crises have not only moved segments of American society from complacency to action, but have also raised questions about the progress that the social sector has and has not made toward a more just society.

With billions spent by the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, why do profound disparities persist?

The new “Innovating for Social Equity” speaker series, hosted by the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, will examine efforts across the philanthropic and private sectors to tackle these seemingly intractable barriers to a society and economy that work for all. Through interactive conversations with leaders across sectors, the series will dig into what it will take to do more to achieve meaningful change.

Session 2: How Private Market Investors Affect Change

Cohosted with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the second session in the series will examine how private market investors and entrepreneurs identify and utilize innovative strategies as a means for achieving social equity.

What tools do investors have to affect change? Does the seduction of market return reduce the power of impact investing? What will it take to increase investment in Black, Latinx, and women founders? Why do diverse managers hold such a small proportion of investment capital? What steps are required to build a capital system expansive enough to include all Americans? What innovations hold promise for greater impact, access, and opportunity?