Faith, Wealth, and Corporate Responsibility
Do you ever wonder about the relationship between faith and business? That’s exactly what we address with special guest, Jeffrey Small Jr, CEO of MDH Partners. Together, Bishop Wright and Jeff navigate the complexities of economic growth and ethically sound practices. We gain invaluable insights from Jeff’s journey, from his walk with Christ and his business ventures that led him to better serve the world with his unique skill set as an industrial investor. With a focus on industrial properties, we tap into the significance of corporate responsibility while challenging listeners to consider the role of faith in business.
Bishop Wright and Jeff discuss the relationship between wealth, faith, and the immense power of partnership in addressing societal issues. Jeff also brings to light the impact of socially responsible investing by sharing the history of the 1980s divestment movement, which initiated a pivotal shift in the perspective of investment returns. Listen in for the full conversation.
About Jeffrey Small
Jeffrey Small is the co-founder and CEO of MDH Partners. His primary responsibilities include leading the strategic direction of the Company, overseeing the pursuit and underwriting of its new acquisitions and developments, and managing its relationships with its investors. Under his guidance, the firm is currently investing Fund II, which comprises $750 million of equity, and expects to close Fund III in late 2023 with over $1 billion in equity. In addition to its fund business, MDH also has separate account asset management joint ventures with two global institutional investors, totaling an additional $1 billion in equity. Previous capital partners included Harvard University’s endowment (HMC), Bain Capital, Wells Fargo, and multiple Blackstone joint ventures.
Jeff graduated with a BA in Political Science with Distinction from Yale University (summa cum laude), with a JD from Harvard Law School (magna cum laude), and he earned a Masters in the Study of Religions from Oxford University in England (Oriel College).
In his spare time, Jeff enjoys writing and has published two award-winning, best-selling novels along with an academic text. Jeff and his wife, Alison, spent over a decade as competitive ballroom dancers, winning the US Amateur Championship in their division and representing the US at the Word Senior Latin Championships. Today, they enjoy more mellow outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. He and Alison live in his hometown of Atlanta, and their daughter Ella is a Ph.D. student at the University of Texas in Austin. Jeff worships at The Cathedral of St. Philip in The Diocese of Atlanta.