Laurene Powell Jobs

Laurene Powell Jobs is an American businesswoman, investor, and philanthropist. She is the founder and president of the social change organization Emerson Collective and the majority owner of publications including The Atlantic. As the widow of Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs, she inherited a significant portion of his wealth, which she has directed toward initiatives in education, immigration reform, environmental conservation, and media.

Early life and education

Laurene Powell was born in West Milford, New Jersey, to a pilot father and a homemaker mother. After her father died in a plane crash, her mother worked various jobs to support the family. She attended University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School. She later worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs before pursuing an MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. It was at Stanford University in 1990 that she met Steve Jobs following a lecture he gave.

Career and business ventures

Following business school, Powell Jobs co-founded the natural foods company Terravera and worked in the financial industry. Her primary business focus shifted to impact investing and media through her organization, Emerson Collective, established in 2004. The organization operates across the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, making investments in companies and initiatives aligned with its social goals. In media, she acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic through Emerson Collective in 2017. She also holds a significant ownership stake in the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals through her investment group. Other ventures include investments in the production company Anonymous Content and the acquisition of a stake in the Major League Soccer club D.C. United.

Philanthropy and activism

Powell Jobs channels her philanthropy primarily through Emerson Collective, focusing on systemic change in education, immigration, environmental justice, and health. In education, she founded and supports College Track, a program to prepare underserved students for university, and has been a major donor to XQ Institute, which aims to redesign the American high school. She is a leading advocate for immigration reform in the United States, funding organizations like United We Dream and supporting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Her environmental work includes support for the Conservation International and the Climate Leadership Council. She also serves on the boards of several institutions, including the Stanford University board of trustees and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Personal life

Laurene Powell married Steve Jobs in a ceremony at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park in 1991. They had three children together: Reed, Erin, and Eve. The family lived in Palo Alto, California, and maintained a relatively private life. Following Steve Jobs's death from pancreatic cancer in 2011, she inherited his wealth, including substantial shares in Apple Inc. and The Walt Disney Company. She has since been involved in managing his legacy, including the development of the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park in Cupertino, California.

Public image and recognition

Often described as intensely private, Powell Jobs is recognized as one of the world's wealthiest individuals, with her net worth frequently estimated by Forbes and Bloomberg. She is known for a philanthropic approach that emphasizes venture philanthropy and leveraging capital for social impact. She has been profiled by major publications like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal and has received honors including the Lincoln Medal from the Ford's Theatre Society. Her influence in media, through ownership of The Atlantic and Pop-Up Magazine, positions her as a significant figure in shaping public discourse.

Category:American philanthropists Category:American businesswomen Category:1963 births Category:Living people