Key Takeaways
- • The McKnight Foundation of Minneapolis named Priya Parrish as its first chief investment officer, according to a Nov. 9, 2026 news release, with her start date set for Nov. 30.
- • Parrish will oversee the foundation's $2.8 billion endowment.
- • Parrish is currently partner and CIO at Impact Engine, a Chicago-based venture capital and private equity firm focused on environmental and social-impact investing; she previously served as CIO of multifamily office Schwartz Capital Group.
- • The foundation says the new CIO role "creates clear executive accountability for investment strategy, performance, governance, portfolio stewardship, and external-manager relationships."
- • The appointment follows Elizabeth McGeveran's April departure as vice president of investments to launch a sustainable investing consulting practice.
Summary
The McKnight Foundation, a Minneapolis-based family foundation, has hired Priya Parrish as its first chief investment officer, the foundation announced in a news release dated Nov. 9, 2026, as reported by Pensions & Investments. Parrish will oversee the foundation's $2.8 billion endowment beginning Nov. 30.
Parrish currently serves as partner and CIO at Impact Engine, a Chicago-based venture capital and private equity investment firm focused on environmental and social-impact investments. Before joining Impact Engine, she was CIO of multifamily office Schwartz Capital Group. Officials at Impact Engine could not be immediately reached for comment on her replacement.
In the release, the foundation said the new CIO title "creates clear executive accountability for investment strategy, performance, governance, portfolio stewardship, and external-manager relationships." The creation of the position marks a structural change for the foundation, which previously lacked a dedicated CIO.
The McKnight Foundation has a mission to advance social and economic justice as well as environmental causes. It was among the first U.S. private foundations to commit, in 2021, to a 2050 net-zero target. The foundation was established by and named for William McKnight, a longtime executive of 3M, the Minnesota-headquartered manufacturer.
The appointment comes after the foundation announced in April that Elizabeth McGeveran would step down as vice president of investments to launch her own consulting practice focused on sustainable investing.
Parrish currently serves as partner and CIO at Impact Engine, a Chicago-based venture capital and private equity investment firm focused on environmental and social-impact investments. Before joining Impact Engine, she was CIO of multifamily office Schwartz Capital Group. Officials at Impact Engine could not be immediately reached for comment on her replacement.
In the release, the foundation said the new CIO title "creates clear executive accountability for investment strategy, performance, governance, portfolio stewardship, and external-manager relationships." The creation of the position marks a structural change for the foundation, which previously lacked a dedicated CIO.
The McKnight Foundation has a mission to advance social and economic justice as well as environmental causes. It was among the first U.S. private foundations to commit, in 2021, to a 2050 net-zero target. The foundation was established by and named for William McKnight, a longtime executive of 3M, the Minnesota-headquartered manufacturer.
The appointment comes after the foundation announced in April that Elizabeth McGeveran would step down as vice president of investments to launch her own consulting practice focused on sustainable investing.
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