Kimberlee Cornett

Kimberlee R. Cornett is the Director of Impact Investments at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), a position she has held since January 2020. In this role, she oversees a significant allocation of funds aimed at enhancing health and community development through strategic investments. Her work focuses on leveraging RWJF's resources to create impactful financial solutions that address health equity and improve community conditions.

Professional Background

Before joining RWJF, Cornett was the Managing Director of the Social Investment Practice at the Kresge Foundation from 2010 to 2019. During her tenure there, she managed a portfolio that dedicated $350 million to impact investments and successfully leveraged an additional $1 billion from other investors to support the foundation's programmatic goals. Notably, she directed co-investments with RWJF, including significant projects like the Strong Families Fund, which aimed to finance social services and affordable housing for low-income families.13

Cornett's career also includes a role as Vice President at Enterprise Community Investment, where she focused on affordable housing and community development from 1999 to 2009. Earlier in her career, she was appointed as a White House Fellow under President Clinton and worked at the Small Business Administration. Additionally, she founded a Habitat for Humanity affiliate and worked in a shelter for homeless women and children.124

Education and Personal Life

Cornett holds a degree from Hood College and has a master's degree in organizational development from Marymount University. She resides in Annapolis, Maryland, with her husband and three children. In her personal pursuits, she enjoys activities like boating and paddleboarding on the Chesapeake Bay.12

Impact Investing Vision

Kimberlee Cornett is recognized for her innovative approach to impact investing, emphasizing the importance of integrating financial returns with social benefits. She believes that impact investing can serve as a powerful tool alongside traditional grantmaking to foster healthier communities and equitable opportunities across the United States.35