Rhode Island pension fund to push for corporate diversity
By The Associated Press
news@abc6.com
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner says the state’s pension fund will begin using its shareholder vote to push for diversity on corporate boards.
Magaziner announced Wednesday that the Fortune 500 companies it will soon target include ConocoPhillips, EMC, Phillips 66, Hess, and Hershey.
Late spring is the proxy season when many publicly traded companies hold investor meetings asking shareholders to vote on board members and other decisions.
Magaziner says the $7.5 billion pension fund will vote “no” against a slate of corporate board nominees if fewer than 30 percent of directors are women or racial minorities.
He says research shows diverse leadership helps companies perform better, which will improve returns for the state pension system.
The Massachusetts pension board adopted a similar practice last year.
(C) The Associated Press 2016
