Jonathan Lavine is Co-Managing Partner of Bain Capital and Chief Investment Officer of Bain Capital Credit, formerly known as Sankaty Advisors. With over 950 employees across offices in four continents, Bain Capital has approximately $85 billion in assets under management.
Lavine graduated from Harvard Business School with distinction in 1992 where he and his wife met. Jeannie Lavine, AB ’88, MBA ’92, followed in her father’s footsteps, graduating from both Harvard College and Harvard Business School. After Harvard, Jeannie worked with The Boston Consulting Group, a global consulting firm. She has served on the Board of Dean’s Advisors for the Harvard School of Public Health since 2012, and also chairs the Class of 1988 Gift Committee. She is an active member of the Class of 1988 Reunion Committee, the FAS Major Gift Committee, and the Committee on University Resources (COUR).
The couple has since been actively involved in supporting Harvard through various endeavors. In 2007, Jonathan and Jeannie formed the Crimson Lion Foundation, named in part for their involvement with Harvard. Through Crimson Lion, they focus their philanthropic endeavors, which have included contributions to Harvard.
In 2011, the Lavines established the Lavine Family Cornerstone Scholarship Fund, which supports four undergraduates through Harvard’s financial aid program.
In 2012, Jonathan and Jeannie, contributed a $5 million grant to the Harvard School of Public Health, establishing the Lavine Family Humanitarian Studies Initiative (HSI), which expands the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) and supports training and education of humanitarian relief workers. Michael VanRooyen, the director off HHI said the Lavine’s gift would “help HSI extend the reach of humanitarian education to an international scale and boost the impact of humanitarian relief by focusing on professional skill building and evidence-based research on best practices.”
Under HSI, an additional 150 or more students a year will be able to study at the School to learn how to provide aid effectively, efficiently and safely. HSI will also provide entry-level students and current field workers with access to courses, simulated trainings and case studies.
In 2013, Jonathan and Jeannie became co-chairs of the Capital Campaign for Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, announcing the School’s intention to raise $450 million by 2018 at a Gala two-day launch event that also celebrated the School’s centennial. Jonathan and Jeannie were co-chairs of the Gala Committee for that event, which also included a leadership summit attended by public health leaders from around the globe. In 2017, the Lavines made a record-breaking gift of $12 million to Harvard Business School. The gift supports fellowships for first-generation college students attending HBS. Later that year, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health announced a $5.5 million gift from the Lavines to establish the Lavine Family Professorship of Humanitarian Studies. The new professorship promotes the study of humanitarian issues which include relief, preparedness and public health. Jonathan Lavine said of the new professorship, “Improving the quality and effectiveness of humanitarian work is a major focus of our philanthropic efforts, because having well-trained professionals on the ground can mean the difference between helping people when they need it most and making an unfolding crisis even worse. Supporting strong leadership at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative and the Humanitarian Academy at Harvard is a great way to ensure this important work continues.”
Aside from their Harvard involvement, Jonathan Lavine represents the Lavine family on several boards, including the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a Harvard-affiliated medical center. He is a member of the boards of Children’s Hospital Trust, Opportunity Nation, and Horizons for Homeless Children. He also serves as a Trustee of Columbia University and a Director of the Boston Celtics. In 2013, he was elected Chair of City Year’s National Board of Trustees, and currently serves as Co-Chair of the organization. Jeannie Lavine serves on the Board of Directors of The Better Angels Society, an organization that supports the historically significant documentary films of Ken Burns and works to share them through educational outreach. The Lavines also support organizations including, uAspire, EJI and LIFT.
In 2012, Jonathan Lavine was honored by the Anti-Defamation League with the Distinguished Community Service Award. In 2015, Jonathan was recognized with the Voices for National Service “Citizen Service Award” due to his support and involvement in the national service movement.
The Lavines reside in Lexington, Massachusetts and have two children.
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