Morehouse College President Dr. David A. Thomas has joined the Vanguard board of directors.
In a press release announcement, it was revealed that Dr. Thomas will help manage a fund worth more than $8 trillion. Vanguard also offers more than 400 funds to more than 30 million worldwide investors.
“Serving on the Vanguard board of directors is an opportunity to support an investment philosophy focused on optimizing long-term asset value for a diverse group of investors,” said President Thomas, in the press release announcement.
“We are thrilled to welcome David to Vanguard’s Board of Directors,” said Vanguard chairman and CEO Tim Buckley, in the same press release announcement. “He is a purpose-driven leader who has extensive experience in setting a vision, inspiring an organization, managing operations, and developing talent equally. Our client-owners will benefit tremendously from his governance.”
Prior to serving at Morehouse College — and the Vanguard board of directors — Dr. Thomas earned both his master’s degree and his Ph.D. from Yale University. He also holds a master’s in organizational psychology from Columbia University. In addition, Dr. Thomas previously served as the H. Naylor Fitzhugh professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, as dean of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, and as an assistant professor at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. He has consulted on issues relating to organizational change, diversity, and inclusion for 100 of the Fortune 500 companies.
For its part, Vanguard is one of the world’s largest investment companies. It also has about 440 low-cost traditional funds and ETFs, and according to a release on its site, is committed to diversity and inclusion as well.
“We strive to create an inclusive and equitable work environment that reflects a diverse community of talents and drives our mission to provide all investors with the best chance for investment success,” they said.