NYSIF encourages participation by New York State Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) in its procurement projects. NYSIF is committed to achieving the statewide goal of increasing opportunities for MWBEs and helping these businesses thrive. NYSIF has established an MWBE participation goal of at least 30 percent for all NYSIF contracts, and has exceeded this goal for the last several years. In addition, NYSIF has instituted an aggressive asset management and financial institution strategy to increase use of MWBE investment and financial services firms.
NYSIF 14th Annual MWBE Investment Symposium
NYSIF hosted its 14th annual MWBE Investment Symposium on March 7, 2024. Along with NYSIF Board of Commissioners Chair Kenneth R. Theobalds and NYSIF Executive Director & CEO Gaurav Vasisht, the event featured keynote speaker Kneeland Youngblood, Founding Partner, CEO, and Chairman of Pharos Capital Group. Speakers and panelists included Tina Byles Williams, Founder, CEO, CIO, Xponance and Tammy K. Jones, Co-Founder & CEO, Basis Investment Group, LLC, as well as Kweku Obed, Managing Director for Marquette Associates, and André Rice, President, Muller & Monroe Asset Management (M²).
Topics at the symposium included NYSIF’s MWBE Investment Program, women entrepreneurs in financial services, and the benefits and performance of MWBE led asset management.
| MWBE Symposium: Full recording | Fireside Chat: Chair Kenneth R. Theobalds & CEO Gaurav Vasisht | |
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| The forum serves as a key opportunity to reduce barriers, increase participation & stimulate job growth for diverse financial institutions. |
Promoting fairness and economic opportunity for diverse MWBE firms is consistent with NYSIF's public mission to support New York businesses and injured workers. | |
| Keynote Speaker: Kneeland Youngblood | Women Entrepreneurial in Financial Services: Successes, Challenges & Journey | |
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| Kneeland Youngblood is a Founding Partner of Pharos Capital Group, as well as Chairman and CEO, and responsible for overall firm strategy. | The panel, moderated by NYSIF Commissioner Alexis Thomas, highlighted firsthand experiences by panelists Tina Byles Williams, Founder, CEO, CIO, Xponance and Tammy K. Jones, Co-Founder & CEO, Basis Investment Group, LLC. |
Need More Information?
- View our latest procurement opportunities, including several investment and asset management RFPs.
- Complete our Procurement Bidders form to be added to our bidder database. NYSIF notifies bidders by email when a NYSIF solicitation is released for public bidding. We encourage certified MWBE businesses, especially asset managers, broker-dealers and emerging managers, to contact NYSIF to be considered as a future vendor.
- Not sure if your business qualifies? Visit Empire State Development for more information about becoming certified as an MWBE business.
- Contact us with any questions.