Ichor Strategies

Please join Ichor’s Partner, Kenneth Lovett, as he moderates the “Modernizing New York’s Transportation Infrastructure” panel at this City & State event on October 10.

It is heartbreaking to see the widespread devastation across the Southeast and Appalachia in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Damages are estimated between $15-26 billion, countless families find themselves displaced, and entire communities have been wiped off the map. Adding to the distress, many homeowners now face uncertainty about whether their insurance policies cover such extensive losses. This is not something people who have just lost everything should be burdened with, which is exactly why our insurance framework needs a comprehensive overhaul. One that guarantees adequate support for all affected policyholders. To spearhead these necessary changes, insurance companies must harness data to better forecast future events and optimize coverage for vulnerable populations. Equally important are community-focused education initiatives. These would help residents more fully understand the value of investing in the right insurance and help make sure the insurance companies have the financial ability to cover these disasters.

As Climate Week 2024 comes to a close, I'm both inspired by the resolve to win the fight against climate change and reminded of the challenges we must overcome to do so. A key part of this effort will include modernizing our energy infrastructure to better protect the environment. But to be successful, the shift to renewable energy cannot leave anyone behind. President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative is a good first step in making sure climate investments are equitably distributed. But this is just the start. The real challenge lies in transforming these funds into tangible impacts that effectively address disparities at the municipal, state, and corporate levels. Companies have a big part to play in this change. To tackle these challenges, we need to really connect with communities, using data-driven strategies and being open in our corporate partnerships. By doing this, we can make sure investments are fair and help create a more sustainable future for everyone.

It is encouraging to see Walgreens making bold moves by expanding its clinical trials business. For far too long, clinical trials have excluded communities of color, primarily relying on white men for testing drugs. Walgreens’ diverse, nationwide reach offers a unique opportunity to change the standards. But the company’s success hinges on health literacy. Work must be done to demystify clinical trials for those who are skeptical of their benefits or who have been discriminated against or otherwise harmed by the healthcare system. More and better education is essential for tackling disparities and improving the accessibility and quality of care. For starters, Walgreens and companies like it can work with trusted and respected local community leaders to debunk myths and help set the facts straight. They can also provide communities with educational materials in multiple languages and reading levels. By empowering communities with useful information and the right knowledge, the pharmaceutical industry can boost clinical trial outcomes and help drive us closer to health equity.

Even small investments, especially when made in underserved communities, can lead to a cascade of benefits that have a substantial impact beyond the initial outlay. Imagine what a capital deployment from your businesses can do to uplift a community? https://lnkd.in/eVj99DYh #fintech #responsiblefintech #civian #rippleeffect #socialimpact #impactinvesting

The Latino Giving Circle Grants Night was a powerful reminder of the strength and unity within our community. Thanks to the Latino Community Foundation and the Los Angeles Latino Giving Circle, we were able to grant $122,000 to organizations that are truly shaping the future: ÓRALE: Organizing Rooted in Abolition, Liberation, and Empowerment, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory, and the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center! I was honored to moderate an inspiring fireside chat with leaders from Boyle Heights Arts Conservatory and the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center. The passion and dedication they bring to uplifting our communities is truly inspiring. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this night possible! Together, we are paving the way for a more empowered, just, and vibrant future.

As a CEO, I see firsthand every day that diversity isn't just a value — it's a business imperative. And I’m always encouraged when I can look to other business leaders for inspiration and insight on how to more deeply embed the principles of diversity across my organization.   Take Microsoft, for example. After recognizing the need to address the issue of bias in early iterations of AI tools, the company intentionally diversified the teams actually developing their advanced technologies. This critical step helped Microsoft tackle bias in AI head-on by leveraging different perspectives and lived experiences to inform its systems. This approach is simple, but stands to make a powerful impact for groups vulnerable to disparities in healthcare and financial services, where AI is already changing the landscape.   It goes to show that when we prioritize diversity from the outset, we can create opportunities across industries to uplift others, driving forward equitable solutions capable of transforming entire sectors.

Civian enables businesses to turn commitments into action and elevate community impact with hyper-local economic data insights. https://lnkd.in/eEYVbJBM

As students across the country head back to colleges and universities, their campuses may look a little less diverse. That’s because the Supreme Court's decision to end affirmative action has had a profound impact on the racial makeup of incoming classes, with elite schools like Amherst and Tufts reporting a lower share of Black students enrolling. This decline in campus diversity will reverberate beyond academia, influencing society as a whole. While it may be too early to determine if the rollback of affirmative action is wholly and solely responsible for this drop in diversity, much is still being lost in the meantime. A less diverse campus stifles the perspectives needed for a well-rounded education, as well as perpetuates systemic inequalities and denies opportunities to students. Higher education must prioritize creating campuses that mirror the diverse nature of the real world, opening students up to new ideas and perspectives. Universities need to rethink admissions, working within the boundaries of the SCOTUS decision, to find innovative ways to recruit a diverse student body. This way universities can help ensure both a well-rounded education for incoming students and a thriving generation of future leaders.

Please join Ichor’s Partner, Leecia Eve, as she moderates the “The Future of New York Industry” panel of the Economic & Workforce Development Summit hosted by City & State.