Elizabeth Y.A. Ferguson - REDF

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
- Growth PortfolioA multi-year investment in growth-stage employment social enterprises to help them scale sustainably.
- Impact InvestingFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
- Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
- CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
- WorkshopREDFworkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, REDF has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsREDF achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News

Elizabeth Y.A. Ferguson is the managing director of Drexel Oceania LLC. Prior to joining Drexel Oceania LLC, she was the executive vice president and managing director of the Bay Area Family of Funds at the Bay Area Council. There, she managed private equity and venture capital funds Bay Area Smart Growth Fund I and II, Bay Area Equity Fund I, and DBL Equity Fund – BAEF II. The Family of Funds are “double bottom line” funds created to deliver market rates of return, and at the same time, provide significant social, economic and environmental returns to low and moderate income communities.

Ms. Ferguson was also a financial executive with Bank of America for over twenty years. She most recently served as managing director and head of marketing for Bank of America’s Global Corporate and Investment Bank. Ms. Ferguson’s broad background in financial services includes management positions with Bank of America in the U.S. and Asia, with industry expertise in technology, energy, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and consumer products. She has held senior roles in corporate and investment banking, strategic planning, marketing, and finance.

Ms. Ferguson is a native of San Francisco and a resident of the Bay Area. She is a summa cum laude graduate of UC Berkeley with a B.A. in political science and has an MBA from Stanford Business School. Ms. Ferguson serves as board president of California-Asia Business Council and has served on the boards for the Alliance for Community Development, Drew School, On Lok, Inc., REDF, Summerbridge and the Bay Area advisory board of US Bank.

Elizabeth joined REDF’s Board in 2008.