By David G. Barry
The Leona M.
and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust will have a new chief investment
officer in 2024.
Rosalind M. Hewsenian, who has been CIO of the $8.3 billion philanthropy
since 2010, will retire at the end of 2023, and will be replaced by Joshua
Fenton, who is director of investments.
In a statement,
trustees called Hewsenian “a visionary leader” who “has expertly led the
strategic direction and implementation of Helmsley’s investment program.” They
said that under her direction, “our endowment grew exponentially, allowing us
to expand our impact.”
Hewsenian previously served as the CEO of Clay Finlay LLC and partner and senior
investment consultant at Wilshire Associates. Upon retiring, she will become a
member of Helmsley’s investment committee and look to serve on corporate
boards. Hewsenian is currently on the board of Partners Capital.
Also in a prepared statement, she said that it’s “been an absolute pleasure” to
serve as Helmsley’s CIO and to “see firsthand how our investment strategy has
helped improve the lives of countless people around the globe.”
Fenton joined Helmsley in 2012 and brings almost 30 years of investment
experience as an equity analyst and portfolio manager, including time at
Breeden Capital Management, Clay Finlay LLC, and Gabelli Asset Management. In
his current role, Fenton works closely with Hewsenian to execute Helmsley’s investment
program and is principally responsible for Helmsley’s investments in public
markets.
In a statement, Fenton called Hewsenian “an exceptional mentor” and said he was
“excited to continue working with our team to fulfill the Trust’s mission of
helping people live better lives.”
Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than
$3.5 billion to a range of charitable purposes.