Key Takeaways
- • Bola Olusanya will become Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the MacArthur Foundation beginning June 17, 2025, according to the Foundation's announcement.
- • Olusanya will manage the Foundation's nearly $9 billion endowment with an objective of earning a 5 percent real return annually.
- • He will oversee overall asset allocation and investment strategy, principally through retention of outside investment managers, and lead a 17-person investment staff.
- • Olusanya previously served as CIO of The Nature Conservancy, where he managed over $4 billion and built the organization's first internal investment team.
Summary
The MacArthur Foundation has named Bola Olusanya Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, effective June 17, 2025. In the role, Olusanya will oversee the Foundation's nearly $9 billion endowment, which funds its grantmaking and other organizational activities. The stated objective is a 5 percent real return annually.
Olusanya will be responsible for MacArthur's overall asset allocation and investment strategy, largely through the selection and retention of outside investment managers. The Foundation said he will continue its goal of increasing assets managed by investment managers committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He will lead a 17-person investment staff.
MacArthur President John Palfrey said Olusanya "has earned a reputation for delivering returns while applying strategic leadership, vision, and a commitment to advancing the mission," and said the Foundation was grateful he will fill the role.
Prior to MacArthur, Olusanya was Vice President and CIO at The Nature Conservancy, where he managed a portfolio of over $4 billion, built the organization's first internal investment team, and transformed the endowment into a global, mission-aligned portfolio. Earlier roles include senior positions at Key Private Bank, Vanderbilt University, Strategic Investment Group, and S&P Global. He holds an MBA in Finance from Emory University, a master's in Computer Science from the University of Lagos, and a bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of Ibadan.
Olusanya is a board member of The Investment Fund for Foundations, serves on investment committees at the Cleveland Foundation and United World Colleges, and advises London-based Giant Ventures. He also guest lectures on investment management at Vanderbilt University's Owen School of Business.
Olusanya will be responsible for MacArthur's overall asset allocation and investment strategy, largely through the selection and retention of outside investment managers. The Foundation said he will continue its goal of increasing assets managed by investment managers committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. He will lead a 17-person investment staff.
MacArthur President John Palfrey said Olusanya "has earned a reputation for delivering returns while applying strategic leadership, vision, and a commitment to advancing the mission," and said the Foundation was grateful he will fill the role.
Prior to MacArthur, Olusanya was Vice President and CIO at The Nature Conservancy, where he managed a portfolio of over $4 billion, built the organization's first internal investment team, and transformed the endowment into a global, mission-aligned portfolio. Earlier roles include senior positions at Key Private Bank, Vanderbilt University, Strategic Investment Group, and S&P Global. He holds an MBA in Finance from Emory University, a master's in Computer Science from the University of Lagos, and a bachelor's in Computer Science from the University of Ibadan.
Olusanya is a board member of The Investment Fund for Foundations, serves on investment committees at the Cleveland Foundation and United World Colleges, and advises London-based Giant Ventures. He also guest lectures on investment management at Vanderbilt University's Owen School of Business.
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