Who We Are

Founded by John Pinto in February 2012, CHFI combines John’s skills and experience in building hedge fund portfolios with his deep interest in galvanizing exceptionally driven, long-term minded and philanthropically committed Portfolio Managers.

Each of CHFI’s Portfolio Managers carefully construct, monitor and sustain a concentrated portfolio of 3-5 local non-profit organizations within her chosen area of expertise.  CHFI commits long-term financial support to create maximum impact, efficiency and accountability.

John founded Caring Hands Foundation in 2012 as a result of his desire to integrate the skills and experience he had developed in the investment management business into his charitable giving activities.  John serves as Chief Investment Officer of CHFI. In this role, he provides leadership and guidance to our portfolio managers and represents the organization to investors.  John serves as Chief Investment Officer of Hinsdale LLC, a diversified “Endowment style” portfolio, and as Portfolio Manager of SOJE Fund LP, a concentrated microcap equities portfolio.  John received his B.A. from Yale University (1987) and an M.B.A. from the Anderson School at the University of California at Los Angeles (1993). John is a CFA Charterholder.

Our Portfolio Managers:

Ashley Hester, a native of Durham, NC, attended North Carolina Wesleyan College where she obtained a Bachelors in Criminology. As she always had a passion for the field of Criminology, Ms. Hester continued her studies at the University of Cincinnati where she completed her Masters of Science in Criminological Theory in 2009. She returned to North Carolina to gain her experience and licensure and became involved in the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC) as a volunteer Crisis Counselor in 2010. As a result, Ashley was subsequently hired as a Rape Prevention Educator (RPE) for DCRC. The RPE program was part of the North Carolina Injury and Violence Prevention branch and a United Way grant-funded position. As such, funding for the program became threatened in 2011 and Ms. Hester decided the return to working for a hedge fund, as she did upon graduating college. In the hedge fund sector is where Ms. Hester met John Pinto, a mentor to her for many years. Upon joining the hedge fund with Mr. Pinto in 2011, Mr. Pinto and Ms. Hester decided to team up and spearhead Caring Hands Foundation Inc. In a perfect marriage of Ms. Hester’s two passions, serving victims of sexual assault and investment management, she became a Manager-Giver and Secretary for the organization. As part of Ms. Hester’s current portfolio of non-profits, she supports, Durham Crisis Response Center, El Futuro and H.E.A.R.T.S

Cate Elander is a Community development professional, interested in supporting resident-driven community building efforts.  Cate is currently the Manager of Community Engagement at the East Durham Children’s Initiative (EDCI). She facilitates program recruitment, events and communication with stakeholders, including partners, community leaders and East Durham residents. With a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, she has over five years of community development and outreach experience at grassroots organizations in Durham, Delaware and New York City.  Mrs. Elander is a member of Old East Durham Communities in Partnership and the Angier Avenue Neighborhood Farm CSA. As part of Mrs. Elander’s current portfolio of non-profits, she supports, We Are and Village of Wisdom.

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