Cambridge Associates Appoints Melinda Wright as Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Wright will lead global efforts to bolster the firm’s DEI policies and initiatives
BOSTON, October 18, 2021 – Global investment firm Cambridge Associates has appointed Melinda Wright as Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
In this newly established role, Wright will work alongside Cambridge’s leadership to increase the organization’s diverse representation both internally and industry-wide, drive the firm’s agenda on talent planning and leadership development, and further integrate the organization’s DEI work across the business. She will report to the firm’s Chief Executive Officer, David Druley, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
Deeply committed to closing the opportunity gap, Wright brings years of experience as an educator, lawyer and diversity strategist to the organization. She joins Cambridge from the Walton Family Foundation where she successfully elevated diversity and equity as key factors in the foundation’s investment strategy and grant making. Previously she spent a decade with Teach for America, which included serving as the Senior Vice President of Alumni Diversity, and several years as the Director of Diversity at the Westminster School.
“Melinda brings skills and experiences to Cambridge that will meaningfully build on the work we’ve begun to amplify diversity, equity, and inclusion in our firm and within the investment management industry,” said Druley. “Her first-hand knowledge and expertise in this space will reframe and guide our thinking as we acquire and retain talent, enhance our culture and create high-impact investment opportunities for our clients. We couldn’t be happier to welcome her to our leadership team.”
“Cambridge Associates’ approach to people is rooted in its values as a company. I’m proud to join a firm that remains committed to education, learning, and skills development in the areas of equity, access and inclusion, but also whose leadership deeply cares about the future and well-being of its people, clients and industry in the years to come,” added Wright.
Wright received her Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies from Cornell University and Juris Doctorate at George Washington University School of Law. She also has a master’s in history (African American Studies) and Public Policy (Education) and recently participated in the McKinsey Fellowship for Black Executives which fueled her love for continuous learning and leadership development.
Cambridge Associates’ corporate social responsibility philosophy states that it is the firm’s mission and obligation to create and provide access to opportunities and support success in the communities it serves. CA does that, in part, by ensuring people with diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and life experiences join and then thrive at the firm and across the industry at large, and it has earned the designation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation.
About Cambridge Associates
Cambridge Associates is a global investment firm. The firm aims to help pension plans, endowments & foundations, healthcare systems, and private clients implement and manage custom investment portfolios to generate outperformance so they can maximize their impact on the world. With more than 45 years of institutional investing insights, the firm has helped to shape and implement investment best practices and built strong global investment networks with the purpose of driving outperformance for clients. Cambridge Associates delivers a range of services, including outsourced CIO, non-discretionary portfolio management, staff extension and alternative asset class mandates.
Cambridge Associates currently maintains offices in Boston; Arlington, VA; Beijing; Dallas; London; Munich, Menlo Park, CA; New York; San Francisco; Singapore; and Sydney. Cambridge Associates consists of six global investment affiliates that are all under common ownership and control. For more information, please visit www.cambridgeassociates.com.
Media Contacts
Samantha Norquist and Kearney Dewing,
Prosek Partners on behalf of Cambridge Associates
snorquist@prosek.com, 646-818-9053
kdewing@prosek.com, 857-302-3647