“When we witnessed the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, we wanted to go above and beyond to help out. Michael VanRooyen, director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, blew us away not only with the amazing work HHI was doing on the ground in Haiti, but also in elevating the science and practice of humanitarian response worldwide. We were so amazed by what they were able to accomplish with such limited funds that we made our gift on the spot. Our family has been incredibly lucky and we think it’s critically important for people in similar positions to step up and do as much as they can.”
Jonathan S. Lavine, MBA ’92, managing partner and chief investment officer of Sankaty Advisors, and Jeannie Lavine, AB ’88, MBA ’92, established the Lavine Family Humanitarian Studies Initiative within the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. The Lavines are members of the Board of Dean’s Advisors.