In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Roy Swan, head of the Ford Foundation’s Mission Investments team, where he oversees approximately $1.35 billion in impact investments dedicated to advancing social justice and addressing inequality. With decades of experience spanning housing, community development, finance, investing, and law, Swan has built a career around deploying capital to strengthen communities and expand economic opportunity.
In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, Swan joins NHC President and CEO David Dworkin to discuss the personal and professional experiences that shaped his approach to leadership, purpose, and investing. From serving as the founding Chief Investment Officer of New York City’s Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and helping drive the economic revitalization of Harlem, to overseeing more than $13 billion in community development investments as Co-Head of Global Sustainable Finance at Morgan Stanley, Swan reflects on the lessons that have guided his career and his work at the Ford Foundation.
They also explore the ideas behind Swan’s new book, Positive Sum: How Zero-Sum Thinking Broke Capitalism—and How We Can Fix It, including how moving beyond zero-sum thinking can create greater economic opportunity and shared prosperity, and what it means to effectively measure social impact.
