Mission Investors Exchange, a network of more than 200 foundations engaged in impact investing across the country, has announced Matt Onek as its new CEO. The network, incubated by Philanthropy Northwest, is a national membership organization that shares ideas, tools and experiences to increase the impact of financial capital.
“Matt brings a remarkably diverse set of experiences to the work and is the right person to lead Mission Investors Exchange into its future. Philanthropy Northwest, which has long been committed to advancing the field of impact investing, looks forward to working with him to continue the work of building local capacity," said Philanthropy Northwest CEO Jeff Clarke.
From the official announcement:
“I am honored to be leading Mission Investors Exchange during a time of significant growth in the impact investing sector,” Onek said. “I look forward to working with the mission investing community to accelerate the field’s progress through deeper partnerships among foundations and other impact investors, new platforms for investment, and enhanced market and policy infrastructure.”
Onek has 20 years of leadership experience in federal and local government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. He recently has been designing and implementing mission investing strategies for foundations and intermediaries, including the Walton Family Foundation, the Helmsley Charitable Trust, and the Aspen Institute. Immediately following President Obama’s first election, he was appointed Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff of the White House Domestic Policy Council, where he helped establish the first White House Office of Social Innovation & Civic Participation and drive public policies required for success. Onek also helped to design impact investing partnerships between the private sector and philanthropy while serving in the Office of the Vice Chairman of Citigroup. Earlier in his career, Onek was Senior Counselor to the New York City Schools Chancellor under Mayor Bloomberg and Director of the San Francisco Youth Commission. Onek received a J.D. from Yale Law School and a B.A. from Stanford University.
“We are confident Matt will increase the impact and influence of Mission Investors Exchange as he manages the ever-growing demand for education, networking, access to investment opportunities and public policies that support the growth in impact investing,” said Tracy Kartye, Director of Social Investments for The Annie E. Casey Foundation and a Mission Investors Exchange co-chair. “Working with our partners, Matt and Mission Investors Exchange can bring these and other high-value, high-impact initiatives to our foundation and philanthropy-serving member organizations.”
“Impact investing has become an essential part of foundations’ efforts to drive social and environmental impact in their communities and to leverage their philanthropic investments,” said Stuart Comstock-Gay, President and CEO of The Vermont Community Foundation and a co-chair of Mission Investors Exchange. “With Matt at the helm, Mission Investors Exchange will continue to meet the growing demand among the diverse range of foundations and other investors eager to build their mission investing portfolios.”
Onek will be based in New York City.
