Walmart Heir Lukas Walton Appoints Noelle Laing as Chief Investment Officer of Builders Vision

Builders Vision, the family office of billionaire Walmart heir Lukas Walton, has announced the promotion of Noelle Laing to Chief Investment Officer (CIO). This move comes as the firm continues to focus on addressing global challenges through philanthropy and impact investing, with a particular emphasis on clean energy, food sustainability, and ocean health. Laing, who began her career at Cambridge Associates in 2003, has been integral to Walton's investment strategies for over a decade. She managed impact investments while Walton was a client at Cambridge and joined Builders Vision in 2019. Since 2022, she has served as CIO for Builders Initiative, the firm's philanthropic arm, successfully shifting 90% of its $1.7 billion endowment to mission-aligned investments. Under her leadership, the team at Builders Initiative has invested over $300 million in early-stage startups and fund managers focused on social and environmental change. In her expanded role, Laing will oversee both the philanthropic and asset management divisions of Builders Vision, including family trusts and the firm’s asset management arm. A spokesperson for the firm noted that Builders Asset Management manages a multibillion-dollar taxable portfolio, though the exact size was not disclosed. Laing plans to consolidate the investment teams and add about six new hires, bringing the total headcount to nearly 30. The promotion underscores the growing importance and scale of family offices in the impact investing space. Builders Vision, based in Chicago, now commands resources and expertise comparable to those of institutional investors. Laing emphasized that the firm's diverse investment approach, ranging from nonprofit grants to early-stage startups and multimillion-dollar co-investments, allows them to effectively tackle their core causes. Recent examples of Builders Vision's impact include backing Norway’s Bluefront Equity, a sustainable seafood fund, and co-guaranteeing $70 million of Bahamian government debt to support marine conservation. These actions highlight the firm's commitment to leveraging financial tools for environmental and social benefit. Laing's background at Cambridge Associates, where she provided strategic advice to Walton on his venture capital fund, S2G Investments, has been crucial in shaping her investment philosophy. Her deep understanding of the firm’s mission and her experience in impact investing make her well-suited to her new position. Industry insiders commend Laing's appointment, noting that her track record of successful mission-aligned investments and her strategic vision align perfectly with Builders Vision's goals. The promotion of Laing also reflects a broader trend of women assuming prominent roles in managing wealth for超高-net-worth individuals, alongside other notable figures like Erin Harkless Moore of Melinda French Gates' Pivotal Ventures and Margo Doyle of S-Cubed Capital. Cambridge Associates, known for its robust advisory services to wealthy families and foundations, has played a significant role in training and shaping leaders like Laing. With over 300 senior investment staff, Cambridge provides a rich environment for developing the skills needed to manage complex investment portfolios and drive impactful change. Lukas Walton expressed confidence in Laing's ability to lead the firm, stating, "Noelle has been instrumental in the success of our investment strategies and is the perfect person for the job. Through increased coordination and shared vision, we can be even more effective at pursuing these goals across our sectors." This move by Builders Vision exemplifies the evolving landscape of wealth management, where impact investing and philanthropy are increasingly seen as powerful tools for driving global change. Laing's leadership is expected to enhance the firm's efforts in creating a sustainable future across various sectors.