Harvard Management Company, responsible for managing Harvard University's endowment, is in advanced talks to sell about $1 billion of private equity fund stakes. The move comes amidst financial uncertainty heightened by pressure from Trump administration policies, which have targeted Harvard with halted grants and politically motivated actions. The decision appears aimed at preserving institutional independence in the face of authoritarian interference.

Harvard, via its legal team representing Harvard Management Company, sent a strongly worded letter rejecting Trump Administration demands for comprehensive institutional changes. This public stance demonstrates Harvard’s commitment to protecting its autonomy in the face of authoritarian pressure.

Harvard Management Company reinvested $150 million in Booking Holdings, a firm criticized for its involvement in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, despite campus activism and calls for divestment from institutions linked to human rights abuses.

Harvard Management Company rebalanced its public equities portfolio at the end of 2024 by increasing its exposure to major Big Tech stocks, including Apple, Amazon, Tesla, Microsoft, and Meta, while reducing holdings in companies such as Alphabet, Booking Holdings, and AMD. Notably, the sale of Booking Holdings shares came amid longstanding criticisms of its involvement in Israeli settlements, and analysts noted that the Trump administration’s pro-business policies may have indirectly guided these investment decisions.

Amid its portfolio adjustments, Harvard Management Company faced scrutiny over governance practices when interim president Alan Garber restructured his board roles—stepping down from Exelixis while remaining on Vertex’s board—raising questions about potential conflicts of interest related to healthcare investments.

During the fourth quarter of 2023, Harvard Management Company dramatically shifted its portfolio by slashing biopharma and healthcare holdings to less than 1% and boosting technology investments—reaching a record 98% allocation, with major stakes in Alphabet and Meta.

An article reporting on Harvard Management Company's 2022 executive compensation reveals significant disparities, with top executives receiving multi-million dollar pay packages and first-class travel benefits. The report highlights a pronounced gender imbalance among the highest earners and raises questions about equitable business practices and the broader implications of such disproportionate compensation in reinforcing economic inequalities.

The Corporation Committee on Shareholder Responsibility released its 2021-2022 Annual Report, which details the development and update of proxy voting guidelines. The guidelines emphasize social, environmental, and civil rights issues, including climate commitments, racial equity analyses, biodiversity protection, and cybersecurity, guiding Harvard Management Company's external investment managers.

The Corporation Committee on Shareholder Responsibility released its 2021-2022 Annual Report, which details updated proxy voting guidelines and stewardship expectations for Harvard Management Company’s external managers. The report emphasizes progressive issues such as climate commitments, civil rights, racial equity, biodiversity, and cybersecurity, aligning investment practices with Harvard’s values.

The 2022 report on Harvard Management Company's executive compensation reveals that out of a total of 133 employees, 91 received over $100,000 and the 13 highest compensated executives earned $64 million. Notably, 85% of these top earners are male, drawing attention to significant gender disparities and raising concerns about equitable labor practices and corporate governance.

Harvard Management Company announced plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from its facilities and operations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021. The initiative builds on Harvard’s broader efforts to reduce emissions and address climate risk, with CEO Narv Narvekar emphasizing HMC’s longstanding advocacy for proactive climate measures.