Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • June 3, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 25 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 2019 "In fact, it's just the opposite, it's going to enhance the return because we're broadening the landscape of op- portunity and that was, I think, some- thing that institutional investors had not heard so much and that's what we were proudly espousing," she recalled. "Today, that has become a hallmark," and institutional investors ask those diversity questions when seeking their business, Price said. Diverse investment professionals and their funds, while also investing more broadly, are more likely to invest in diverse entrepreneurs and compa- nies, as well. Reflecting on the challenges launching Fairview and raising its first fund, Price now realizes she persevered because of her insatiable curiosity and "discovery- type mindset," plus her belief in Fair- view's mission outweighed fear of failure. "I think that's something that people should really think about because every- body has talent, everybody has some- thing that's unique to them, that enables them to do great things," she said. Values-driven organization Price, who grew up in North Wales, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Howard University in Washington, D.C., became a legislative assistant in the office of U.S. Sen. Richard Sch- weiker of Pennsylvania before becom- ing vice president of NAIC and later president. She's married to James Price, a re- tired estate and gift tax attorney. They have three grown children. Kola Olofinboba, who joined Fair- view in 2007 as a principal and became a managing partner in 2015, extolled Price and the company and culture she and Morse created. Fairview is a values-driven organi- zation and Price leads by example, he said, noting longtime staff at Fairview who have invested their careers there. "A lot of that is coming straight down from JoAnn," he said. "She is a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful person," Olofinboba said. "I have never met another human being like JoAnn Price. The breadth of her undertaking, of her accomplishment, her humanity, her generosity, her con- fidence, her empathy — if there are human angels, JoAnn is an angel." Her many causes include chairing the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; chairing the board of trustees at Union Baptist Church of Hart- ford, where she's also been a deacon; serving on the Trinity Health of New England board; the Howard Univer- sity board of visitors; Apollo Theater Foundation board; and being former chair of the Amistad Center for Art & Culture in Hartford. She's also been active with the YMCA of Greater Hart- ford and its Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center, where her work placed her among 12 White House honorees in 2013 as YMCA "Champi- ons of Change" for efforts transform- ing communities. Ted Sergi, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving vice chairman, said Price is a quick study of an organization's or society's problems and is "the most re- lentless and unyielding person in terms of her passion for wanting to help those who have the greatest struggle." It's a "great combination," he said. "She's just relentless about saying we can do better than that." Price doesn't get involved in com- munity causes for recognition, Olofin- boba said. "She just does it … and she pushes the rest of us (at Fairview) to do it as well," he said, citing her refrain, "'If you have talent, you have to share it.'" Price said the benefit is mutual. "I think it makes the company better and I think it makes the individual certainly better and really under- standing what's going on in our larger community — and that's been a part of Fairview's perspective from the beginning," she said. ON THE JOB Guiding business principle: Treat people equally and decently. Best way to keep your competitive edge: Create and build relationships. Proudest accomplishment: Building and maintaining an entrepreneurial business culture at Fairview Capital. Favorite part of the job: The people Least favorite part of the job: Legal documents Personal touch in your office: Pictures and cards JUDGMENT CALLS Best business decision: Moving to Connecticut to start Fairview Capital Best way to spot trends: Good listening and observation skills Next big move: Expand the West Coast office Your pet peeve: Long rambling meetings and speeches PERSONAL SIDE City of residence: Avon Favorite way to relax: Find a quiet place Hobbies: Travel Last vacation: Florida Favorite movie: Lincoln The car you drive: Infinity Currently reading: Business journals Favorite cause: Children and youth Second choice career: Social worker PHOTO | J. FIERECK PHOTOGRAPHY "I have never met another human being like JoAnn Price. The breadth of her undertaking, of her accomplishment, her humanity, her generosity, her confidence, her empathy — if there are human angels, JoAnn is an angel." Kola Olofinboba , Managing Partner, Fairview Capital

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