The Toigo Foundation
Private Equity MBA Graduate Fellowship
Nearly half of Toigo’s incoming MBA Fellows (Class of 2015) express a desire to work in private equity—a reflection of the growing interest in the sector among young professionals. Yet, with many PE firms “growing talent” by promoting from within and only a few hiring MBAs, the opportunities for an MBA to launch a private equity career are extremely rare.
Toigo launched its Private Equity MBA Graduate Fellowship in 2009 to provide graduating minority MBAs with entrée into the world of private equity. With direct work experience at a top PE firm, a portfolio company and a limited partner, the one-year paid rotational Fellowship exposes these young professionals to all aspects of the PE investment cycle.
Several PEGCC members, including The Carlyle Group, Apollo Global Management, LLC and TPG Credit Management LLC, along with Vista Equity Partners and Palladium Equity Partners support the program and are working with Toigo to select MBA graduates. While the Fellowship does not provide a guarantee of a full-time offer upon completion of the rotation, many of the firms have, in fact, extended offers to their Fellows based on their outstanding performance. We are pleased to have seen women and a diverse mix of ethnicities and business schools brought forward in the program. Further the participation of CalPERS, State of Connecticut, Florida State Board of Administration and Teachers Retirement System of Texas provides Fellows with rare and invaluable exposure to the LP-side of private equity investing and a benefit to the pension organizations to work with Toigo talent.
The program was built with flexibility and will soon include a value-creation track which addresses the leadership and operating skills required of portfolio company CEOs and CFOs. Inspiring more women and professionals of color to consider joining the senior ranks of operating companies is well aligned with Toigo’s mission—and the Foundation invites firms to consider placement of MBAs within your firm’s portfolio companies.
The Graduate Fellowship is complemented by an online resource portal featuring PE-related courses from top MBA programs, interviews with firm leaders, career tips and sector-specific news and information. The creation of the site was supported by ICV Capital Partners, a boutique PE firm and Toigo invites other firms to participate in supporting the online platform.
“The business of private equity is a delicate mix involving complex quantitative analysis and problem-solving coupled with strong relationship, strategy and leadership skills. We believe strongly that diverse teams deliver better, more rigorous results—in PE and beyond.”
Ash Williams
Executive Director & CIO
Florida State Board of Administration
The Toigo Foundation sincerely appreciates PEGCC for allowing us to highlight our work and invites private equity firms to learn more about the Foundation, become engaged in our work and benefit from bringing diverse talent to your organization. Contact: Nancy Sims, President (nancy.sims@toigofoundation.org)
About The Robert Toigo Foundation
Since its creation in 1989, the Robert Toigo Foundation (Toigo) has become a valued partner in the finance industry, and its reach and impact have continued to grow exponentially during the past two decades. The Foundation is well known for its programs and initiatives that promote workforce diversity leadership, and its MBA fellowship program has helped to prepare more than 1,000 MBA students for careers in finance – 35% of whom are pursuing careers in private equity and that percentage continues to rise.
Toigo Alumni work at private equity firms large and small, as investment professionals at public pension plans and foundations, as fund of fund managers and consultants. More than 50 Toigo Alumni have launched their own investment firms, including dozens within the PE sector.
Toigo partners with pension funds, business organizations and finance teams to share best practices for creating more inclusive environments and cultivating leadership. Our initiatives touch talent from the classroom to the boardroom and are aimed at demonstrating the value that diverse teams deliver.
“With the globalization of our economy, coupled with rapidly changing demographics, diversity is a necessity for businesses focused on future growth and success, and for long-term investors and key stakeholders interested in shareholder value and the well-being of society. This is the principle that has driven the performance of Toigo’s work.”
— Denise L. Nappier
