Jeffrey Aguy

Economic development advisor | Coalition builder | Champion for equitable capital access

Jeffrey Aguy is reimagining how capital can unlock opportunity for communities historically left out of economic growth. He has spent the past decade driving systems-level change at the intersection of entrepreneurship, policy and inclusive investment. From co-creating the Bloomington Economic Partnership (a bold vehicle to drive job creation, innovation, and investment in Bloomington) to being a connector and builder at GroundBreak Coalition (which expands wealth-building opportunities to close wealth gaps and organize people and capital at scale), Jeffrey is building financial ecosystems that prioritize opportunities for all.

Through public-private partnerships, policy advocacy and working at the intersection of philanthropy and private markets, Jeffrey helps to open doors for underrepresented developers and entrepreneurs. He’s a visionary connector who brings relentless curiosity and deep care to his work. He is seen as a leader capable of driving transformative economic development and facilitating major financial investments that change lives.

With the Bush Fellowship, he will deepen his expertise in financial systems and capital markets to scale his impact and transform regional economies.

What has shaped your leadership journey?

I am a leader who has spent the last decade driving economic development, workforce transformation and innovation across communities that have historically been left behind. My journey has been shaped by my experiences working with both grassroots organizations and influential leaders in government and the private sector. I’ve learned that leadership is about building bridges between communities, industries and opportunities, and using influence to create real, lasting impact.

What change are you working to create, and how?

My vision is to unlock market opportunities that transform regional economies by ensuring that capital flows to everyone, including historically marginalized communities. This goes beyond closing the wealth gap, to creating an entirely new economic ecosystem. While I have experience creating impactful solutions, scaling them requires a more nuanced understanding of complex financial systems. I want to grow in my expertise around capital markets, investment vehicles and financial structuring.