New Role in Harvard’s Management Team

Jameela Pedicini will join Harvard Management Company to help navigate the rising environmental, social, and governance issues.

(August 1, 2013) – Harvard Management Company (HMC) has named Jameela Pedicini as its first vice president of sustainable investing.

Pedicini will be responsible for research on issues of environmental,social, and plan governance (ESG) and how they relate to Harvard’s $30 billion endowment.

In her new role, Pedicini will report to the company’s Chief Operating Officer Robert Ettl, and will also work closely with Jane Mendillo, the company’s chief executive officer.

Pedicini previously served as investment officer for global governance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS). 

At CalPERS, Pedicini led the implementation of ESG integration initiatives, and she conducted ESG risk analyses of portfolio companies, which created sustainability evaluation frameworks.

“As long-term investors we are acutely focused on factors that may impact the long-term sustainability of Harvard’s endowment portfolio. Jameela will help strengthen our understanding of these risks and opportunities and will sharpen our due diligence process to ultimately allow us to enhance the long-term returns we deliver for the university,” Mendillo said.

Pedicini has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Antioch University, a master’s degree in sociology, social theory, and public affairs from the University of Amsterdam. She also holds a master’s degree in philosophy from Oxford.

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