2014 Robin Hood Investors Conference Raises $6 million To Fight Poverty in NYC

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Robin Hood concluded its 2^nd annual Investors Conference, presented by J.P. Morgan and hosted by Hyatt at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, where dozens of the biggest names in finance, technology, retail, energy and other key economic sectors came together to debate, share ideas, and provide their insights on navigating volatile markets.  This year's Conference raised $6 million to support hundreds of the most effective job-training programs, schools, soup kitchens, shelters and other poverty-fighting programs throughout New York City. 

"All of us at Robin Hood are extremely grateful for the generosity shown by our sponsors, which is what enables us to contribute 100% of the money raised through Conference ticket sales to hundreds of the best programs throughout the five boroughs that work to help improve the lives of the 1.8 million New Yorkers living in poverty," said David Saltzman, executive director of Robin Hood.  "We couldn't have asked for a better outcome or for a more successful event."

"We are proud to have been a Robin Hood partner for more than 20 years," said Mary Callahan Erdoes, CEO of J.P. Morgan Asset Management. "As a firm, we feel it is our responsibility and our privilege to give back to this city that has headquartered JPMorgan Chase for more than two centuries. Robin Hood's efforts to fight poverty in New York City are unparalleled in both their scope and their effectiveness. Every dime we give goes directly to those in need. That is very powerful."

For the second year in a row, the Conference was organized by Robin Hood board members David Einhorn, president and founder of Greenlight Capital; John Griffin, president of Blue Ridge Capital; Philippe Laffont, founder and CEO of Coatue Management, and Barry Sternlicht, chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group.  The two-day Conference featured a packed agenda with legends from the investment and business worlds, as well as many up-and-comers, all of whom provided lively debate and insight into subjects including energy, retail, innovation and technology. 

Both days included several popular "Lightning Rounds" and "Best Ideas" forums, where participants – including Larry Robbins, CEO of Glenview Capital Management and Robin Hood board member -- presented their thoughts on the best places to invest today and why.

Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google said during his remarks on Tuesday that, "Robin Hood is the most efficient and effective nonprofit in America today."

One of the most highly anticipated panels took place on Tuesday, when Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of Blackrock, Carl Icahn, founder of Icahn Enterprises and Dan Loeb, founder and CEO of the hedge fund Third Point, discussed the role of shareholder activism.  In an exchange regarding corporate governance, Larry Fink said, "The financial community has done well, but a lot of people have been left behind.  We should be asking the bigger question, `Are the investments we're making good for society?'"      

Over half of the speakers at this year's Conference were first time participants, including  Traci Lerner, president and founding partner of Chesapeake Partners Management Co; Keith Meister, managing partner and chief investment officer of Corvex Management; Joe Lonsdale, founder and managing partner of Formation 8; and Zach Schreiber, chairman, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of PointState Capital. 

In addition, Professor Jeffery Sachs, economist and director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, gave a presentation on Monday where he spoke about the Ebola crisis and his belief that we have a much greater chance of effectively managing and containing the risk of a wider outbreak by focusing on the countries where the disease is most widespread. 

Tuesday's Conference session included two surprise presenters:  Eli Manning, quarterback for the New York Giants and a member of Robin Hood's Leadership Council; and Mark Teixeira, first baseman for the New York Yankees and board member of Harlem RBI – a Robin Hood grantee that provides kids from East Harlem with year-round educational and athletic opportunities. 

For a complete record of all speakers and participants, please visit www.investors.robinhood.org

About Robin Hood
Robin Hood is New York's largest poverty-fighting organization, and since 1988 has focused on finding, funding, and creating programs and schools that generate meaningful results for families in New York's poorest neighborhoods.  Since its founding, Robin Hood has raised more than $1.95 billion in dollars, goods and services to provide hundreds of the most effective soup kitchens, homeless shelters, schools, job-training programs and other vital services that give New York's neediest citizens the tools they need to build better lives.  Robin Hood's board of directors pays all administrative, fundraising and evaluation costs, so 100% of your donation goes directly to organizations helping New Yorkers in need.

About JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.5 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

Media contacts:
Robin Hood
Patty Smith
212-844-3562

J.P. Morgan
Darin Oduyoye
212-648-0232
[email protected]

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SOURCE Robin Hood

Related Links

http://www.investors.robinhood.org