Laurene Powell Jobs

Laurene Powell Jobs is an American businesswoman, investor, and philanthropist. She is the founder and president of Emerson Collective, an organization that combines philanthropy, impact investing, and advocacy, and she is one of the most prominent figures in American philanthropy.

Early life

Laurene Powell was born on November 6, 1963, in West Windsor Township, New Jersey. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, completing studies at both the College of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School. After graduating, she worked in finance before pursuing further education, later earning a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. It was at Stanford that she met Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, after he gave a lecture on campus; the two married in 1991.

Career

Early in her career, Powell Jobs worked in the financial sector, including at investment firms. She co-founded a natural foods company before turning her attention to social initiatives. In 1997 she co-founded College Track, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students from underserved communities prepare for, enroll in, and complete college. The program became a significant part of her long-term focus on education and opportunity.

In 2004 she founded Emerson Collective, which she leads as president. The organization pursues work across a range of areas including education reform, immigration policy, environmental conservation, health, and social justice, using a blend of grantmaking, investment, and advocacy. Through Emerson Collective, Powell Jobs has supported numerous initiatives and organizations and has become an influential voice on social and policy issues.

Recent work

Powell Jobs has expanded her involvement in media and culture. Emerson Collective acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic magazine in 2017, and she has invested in and supported various media, sports, and cultural ventures. She has also been involved in efforts addressing climate change and has pledged a substantial portion of her wealth to philanthropic causes, stating her intention not to pass on a large inherited fortune.

Following the death of her husband, Steve Jobs, in 2011, Powell Jobs became the steward of significant family assets and has been consistently ranked among the wealthiest women in the world. She has maintained a relatively private public profile while remaining active in philanthropy, investment, and advocacy, and she has spoken publicly about the responsibilities that accompany substantial wealth. Through Emerson Collective she has supported organizations working on education, immigration, the environment, and journalism. Recognized for her wide-ranging social initiatives, Laurene Powell Jobs is regarded as a leading figure in modern American philanthropy and impact-oriented business.