Investments think tank enters its 2nd consecutive decade supporting women in institutional investing, features bestselling author, recognizes centennial milestone for majority-women fund
AIF Global (“AIF”) marked its 11th year of women investor programming today with its annual Women Investors’ Forum at the Yale Club in New York City. Each fall, AIF, an independent economic think tank focused on the exchange of best ideas, practices and information, holds this highly anticipated gathering of the most prominent women in institutional investing for a comprehensive program of timely investor discussions, leadership, and networking.
The 2025 AIF Institute Trailblazer award recipients, recognized at the Forum, were Margaret Belmondo, NEPC; Elizabeth Caldas, Rhode Island Employees’ Retirement System; June Kim, CalSTRS; Julia Mord, Commonfund; Dana Johns, Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN) and formerly of New Jersey Division of Investment; and Sondra Vitols, YWCA Retirement Fund.
The YWCA Retirement Fund, established in 1925, reaches its centennial anniversary this year and received special recognition for 100 years of supporting women. The YWCA is the only pension system made by and for women, with women representing over 90% of plan participants. The retirement fund has been overfunded since its inception.
“With our plan, people can dedicate a career to supporting the YWCA mission and look forward to retiring comfortably with a benefit that will provide a level of safety and dignity as they age,” says Elliott Buchholz, CEO at the YWCA Retirement Fund. “That’s our primary driver; it’s why we exist. This hasn’t changed in 100 years, and I can’t imagine it ever will.”
“AIF’s global investor community represents the best in the industry, and it’s an honor to recognize these outstanding women trailblazers and especially the YWCA on its milestone year,” said AIF President Melissa Waller. “The long and storied history of the YWCA Retirement Fund is something quite special. It’s a unique accomplishment for a retirement fund to reach the full century milestone, and we believe their story will continue to provide valuable insights to our global investor community.”
The at-capacity Forum was anchored by a keynote fireside chat between Waller and Dr. Alison Fragale, organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and award-winning professor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel-Hill. Dr. Fragale is the national bestselling author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve.
The discussion focused on science and strategies to help women get the status and power they deserve, drawing both from Dr. Fragale’s research, as well as her own personal experiences navigating a high-profile position within academia. Dr. Fragale notes, “As women, we don’t need to be better than we are. We do need to show up in ways that get us maximum credit for what we’ve already accomplished.”
“I enjoyed the lively conversation with Dr. Fragale and am so pleased she was able to share her impressive story and the science of success,” Waller continues. “Her work has already helped countless women define what success looks like for them and navigate their careers with intention. It’s no wonder participants found her insights extremely valuable.”
The fireside chat with Dr. Fragale will be made available to members of AIF’s investor community through the organization’s Investor Portal.
About AIF Global and the AIF Institute
AIF Global is an independent economic think tank with the mission of fostering the exchange of best ideas, practices, and information among institutional asset owners globally to help them achieve their investment objectives. Since its inception, the AIF Institute has been a leader in providing customized education to institutional investors globally. https://aifglobal.org
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Contacts
Media Contact
Jason Suggs
Executive Director, Communications
jsuggs@aifglobal.org
