Dallas Women's Foundation and U.S. Trust Recognize Women's Equality Day With Gender Lens Investing Event

DALLAS, Aug. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition of Women's Equality Day (August 26), U.S. Trust and Dallas Women's Foundation will host a private luncheon and discussion of the emerging field of Gender Lens Investing. Hosted by Jackie VanderBrug, national advisor Gender Lens Investing, the event will feature a panel discussion with experts including: Jason Baron, U.S. Trust senior vice president and architect of U.S. Trust's Socially Innovative Investment Portfolio; Roslyn Dawson Thompson, president and CEO, Dallas Women's Foundation; and Lenore Sullivan, co-chair and investment committee member, Texas Women Ventures. The invitation-only event will be held Monday, August 27 at 12 p.m. at The Crescent Club, 200 Crescent Court in Dallas.

"Research has shown that companies with progressive gender policies outperform their competitors," says Jackie VanderBrug. "We want to use this forum to inform and educate investors about 'value-based' investing and its impact on wealth management."

Gender Lens Investing is an extension of socially-responsible investing that has been in practice for decades.  "Where much of value-based investing in the past has focused on avoiding certain industries or companies in a portfolio, a Gender Lens portfolio actively and intentionally reflects the moral compass of an investor who understands the inherent value of investing in women," says Baron.

Gender Lens investment opportunities can include companies that support gender equity in the workplace or provide women access to capital, as well as those that offer products or services that improve the lives of women and girls. The criteria can range from Fortune 1000 companies that have women on their boards or in top management, to companies that provide affordable housing for single working mothers or safe cook-stoves for women in developing nations while delivering a financial return for investors.

"Dallas Women's Foundation has a 27-year history of making philanthropic investments in women and girls in order to drive social change," said Roslyn Dawson Thompson. "Now, we are also looking at how we invest our own assets, and choosing to make these mission-focused investments that benefit women and girls as well.  We are so pleased to partner with U.S. Trust to raise greater awareness of how Gender Lens Investing is the logical complement to philanthropy that benefits women and girls, and that both ways of investing in women contribute to improving our society as a whole."

About Dallas Women's Foundation
The largest regional women's fund in the world, Dallas Women's Foundation strengthens the entire community by increasing the investment in women and girls and empowering women's philanthropy. Over its 27-year history, Dallas Women's Foundation has invested more than $19 million in programs benefiting women and girls and the greater community. For information, visit www.DallasWomensFoundation.org. 

About U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management
U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, is a leading private wealth management organization in the United States providing unsurpassed resources and customized solutions to help meet clients' wealth structuring, investment management, banking and credit needs.  Clients can also benefit from access to resources available through Bank of America and its affiliates – including capital markets products, large and complex financing solutions, and its extensive retail banking platform.

Contact: Jef Tingley, +1-469-235-6396, [email protected]

SOURCE Dallas Women's Foundation