Henry R. Kravis ’69

Henry R. Kravis is Executive Co-Chair of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company (KKR), a leading global investment firm. Mr. Kravis is actively involved in managing the firm and serves on its investment committees.

Prior to cofounding KKR, Mr. Kravis worked in the investment banking group at Bear Stearns & Company from 1969 to 1976, becoming a partner at 30. During this time, he, along with George Roberts and Jerry Kohlberg, originated what is now known as private equity.

Mr. Kravis currently serves on the boards of First Data Corporation and ICONIQ Capital, LLC. He also serves as a director, chairman emeritus, or trustee of several other cultural, professional, and educational institutions, including The Business Council, Claremont McKenna College, Mount Sinai Hospital, the Partnership for New York City (former chairman), the Partnership Fund for New York City (founder), Rockefeller University (vice chairman), Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (chairman), and the Tsinghua School of Economics and Management in China.

Mr. Kravis founded the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College, where he established the Kravis Prize in Leadership, which honors leadership in the non-profit sector.

Mr. Kravis earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College and a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia Business School.

He was appointed an officer of the French Legion of Honor by President Sarkozy. He was also awarded the Order of the Aztec Eagle, Mexico’s highest honor for foreigners, by President Enrique Peña Nieto. In addition, he has received honorary doctorates from Claremont McKenna College, Bank Street College, and Monmouth College.