Community Partner Spotlight: UBS Financial Services
At UBS Financial Services Inc. in Boulder, socially-responsible investing is a closely-held value.
“Boulder is a special place, and I feel so lucky to live here. But I know that all of the different elements I love about Boulder don’t just happen by accident,” said Kathy Leonard, UBS First Vice-President of Investments and a trustee of The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County. “There are a lot of people who work hard, and who are forward-thinking in their efforts to shape the community we live in. Working with the foundation is one way to be intentional about giving back.”
Specifically, Leonard – who specializes in socially responsible investing – has served on the foundation’s finance and investment committees to help integrate our mission and goals with our approach to adopting a balanced investment strategy.
“I’m very proud of the foundation’s financial stewardship, and how we respond to community needs in times of crisis – be it the Fourmile Fire in 2010 or last year’s flood,” said Leonard, originally from Cincinnati. “It’s so sad to see the damage and difficulties these crises bring, but it’s also heartening to see how the foundation serves as a conduit for the community to regroup and rebuild after those tragedies. The responsibility to evaluate and steward the money that goes out into the community is a privilege.”
Leonard’s thought leadership on investing for impact has been a tremendous support to The Community Foundation. “I remember when the foundation first embraced social investing,” she said. “It’s been wonderful to see the evolution of what is now an integral part of conversations with donors.
“The last thing you want is a portfolio that undermines the nonprofits who do so much with so little. The idea behind impact investing is to get everything in alignment with your mission – how you invest and grow your funds, as well as how you grant those funds throughout the community. I expect this to be an even bigger part of the foundation in the future.”
Adds UBS Boulder branch manager Peter Ford: “Our support of The Community Foundation is aligned with UBS’ commitment to philanthropy and community investment. We think of socially responsible investing as both the right thing to do, and the smart thing to do.” Indeed, UBS Client Philanthropic Services has more than
20,000 philanthropic relationships worldwide, including 3,500 private foundations and 16,000 endowment and/or public charity organizations.
“Our involvement with the foundation enables us to give broadly in our community, wherever the needs are greatest,” said Ford. Additionally, he points out the similarities between the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Colorado – which benefits The Community Foundation – and UBS’ Elevating Entrepreneurs program that empowers under-resourced, high-potential small business owners in communities across country. Other parallel interests with The Community Foundation include UBS’ financial literacy and homeownership counseling; as well as the company’s loans to finance community facilities, such as a new HeadStart building and a new medical clinic, both in underserved areas in Utah.
“The concept of philanthropy is rolled into how we do business, how we engage and support our employees and the communities we live in, and how we advise our clients on their philanthropic interests,” Leonard said.
UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. The Community Foundation Serving Boulder Community and UBS Financial Services Inc. are not affiliated.
