PowerToFly's Financial Inclusion summit kicks off with a very special conversation between James C. Rhee, Founder and CEO of FirePine Group and Dionna Smith, Global Head of DEI at Thumbtack on how we can marry capital with purpose and truth. James Rhee is an impact investor, founder, CEO and educator who empowers people, brands and organizations to fulfill their true potential by marrying capital with purpose and truth across multiple systems. The acclaimed story of the remarkable transformation and re-imagination of Ashley Stewart, one of the country’s largest brands serving Black women, under his leadership as chairman, CEO and investor (2013-2020) has served as proof to millions of people, as well as the world’s leading businesses and organizations, that one can do better by being better. As a senior leader of two Boston-based private equity firms, James helped manage billions of dollars of growth and distressed capital before ultimately founding FirePine Group, a platform that has stewarded the capital of some of the world’s most sophisticated investors. On March 31, 2021, Howard University announced that James would serve a three-year term as the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship and Professor of Entrepreneurship, as well as Senior Adviser to the newly endowed Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership.
Diversity Reboot Summit
KEYNOTE: Do Better By Being Better - a Conversation with Impact Investor, Founder, CEO and Educator James Rhee
Meet The Speakers
James Rhee is an impact investor, founder, CEO and educator who empowers people, brands and organizations to fulfill their true potential by marrying capital with purpose and truth across multiple systems. The acclaimed story of the remarkable transformation and re-imagination of Ashley Stewart, one of the country’s largest brands serving Black women, under his leadership as chairman, CEO and investor (2013-2020) has served as proof to millions of people, as well as the world’s leading businesses and organizations, that one can do better by being better.
As a client of United Talent Agency, he is a frequent speaker on impact and ESG investing, multidimensional transformation, DEI operationalization through Kindness & Math™, principled leadership and the future co-existence of capitalism, humanism and technology.
As a senior leader of two Boston-based private equity firms, James helped manage billions of dollars of growth and distressed capital before ultimately founding FirePine Group, a platform that has stewarded the capital of some of the world’s most sophisticated investors.
James is at the vanguard of making knowledge, opportunity and capital accessible to all. He holds appointments at both MIT Sloan School of Management and Duke Law School as a senior lecturer, where he teaches future leaders about organizational systems and deconstructed investment principles relating to money, life and joy.
Dionna recently joined the team at Thumbtack, serving as their Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Dionna held the title of PowerToFly’s Director of Global Diversity & Inclusion, Learning & Development. Prior to joining PowerToFly, Dionna served as the Head of Global Talent Strategies & Recruitment Programs at Delta Air Lines. Dionna was named to Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 list and is a regular featured speaker at conferences. She is most proud of being the mother of five outstanding children.