Douglas Clark Johnson

CEO/Chief Investment Officer

Douglas Clark Johnson formed Codexa Capital in the depths of the credit crisis to pursue opportunities for issuers and investors in non-traditional markets. His career-long commitment to emerging markets in general and the Muslim world in particular has led to the firm’s focus on Islamic finance. The professional community perhaps best knows him as a roving relationship manager, as equally comfortable in the streets of Karachi, the diwanias of Kuwait, and the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur.

Johnson led the transformation of venture-capital backed Calyx Financial from its early-stage focus on hedge funds to a “Top 500 Islamic Financial Institutions” between 2002 and 2008. He cites the defining moment in the shift to an institutional meeting in Bahrain, where the treasurer pointedly asked, “Why are you here?” The answer was found in his deep experience as an investment strategist and the need to be responsive to local institutions, transcending the efforts of the major houses.

Before forming Calyx Financial in 2002, Johnson was a managing director at Prudential Financial, the US-headquartered insurance company. In this role, he created and managed a fee-based discretionary portfolio management program for the firm's offshore private-client business. This investment vehicle was considered to be among the most innovative in the industry at the time. He was also responsible for helping to craft the firm’s investment policies in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.

From 1988-1998, Johnson held senior portfolio management and international securities research positions with Merrill Lynch in New York. His work in creating fundamental models for global investment strategy was prominent among the major Wall Street houses. He was among the first research professionals to introduce a comprehensive approach to assessing emerging investment markets. During this period, he also provided specific portfolio oversight for select institutional and individual investors.

Known as a frequent commentator on global investment trends, Johnson is career-long contributor to the financial media. His work in the mid-1990s led to an anchor position with CNN’s financial network, while more recently he has become a regular contributor to the burgeoning Islamic finance press, including recurring commentaries for Business Islamica.

Johnson holds dual master's degrees in finance and international affairs from Columbia University, with an emphasis on Asia and its capital markets. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Georgetown University, and studied at Sophia University in Tokyo. His Japanese skills have proven to be of only limited use in capitals like Rabat, Sanaa, and Dhaka.

Johnson can be emailed at douglas.johnson@codexacapital.com. For general information about Codexa Capital, please contact us via our inquiry form or email us at info@codexacapital.com.