Marie-Josée Kravis

Marie-Josée Kravis is a Canadian-American economist, philanthropist, and prominent cultural leader. She is best known for her presidency of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City and her extensive work in economic policy research. A senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, her career spans finance, media, and significant civic engagement in the arts and education.

Early life and education

Born Marie-Josée Drouin in Sherbrooke, Quebec, she was raised in a francophone family. She pursued her undergraduate studies in economics and political science at the Université de Montréal, earning a Bachelor of Arts. She then moved to New York City to attend Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, where she received a Master of International Affairs. Her academic focus on international economics and trade policy laid the groundwork for her future career in financial journalism and think tank analysis.

Career

Kravis began her professional career as a producer and correspondent for the Canadian French-language public broadcaster Radio-Canada in Montreal. She later transitioned to financial journalism in New York City, working for CNBC and The Wall Street Journal's television division. Her expertise in economics led her to the Hudson Institute, a prominent Washington, D.C.-based think tank, where she has served as a senior fellow for decades, focusing on international trade, European Union affairs, and North American economic competitiveness. She has held board positions at major corporations including Viacom, Hasbro, and the CIBC. Her most visible leadership role began in 2019 when she was elected President of the Museum of Modern Art's Board of Trustees, playing a crucial role in guiding the institution through its major expansion and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philanthropy and civic engagement

Marie-Josée Kravis is deeply involved in philanthropic and civic leadership, primarily in the arts, education, and economic research. Beyond her presidency at the Museum of Modern Art, she serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. She is a former chair of the Economic Club of New York and remains an active member. With her husband, Henry R. Kravis, she is a major benefactor of institutions like the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The couple also established the **Kravis Leadership Institute** at Claremont McKenna College and have supported the New York City Ballet and the Rockefeller University.

Personal life

In 1994, she married financier Henry R. Kravis, co-founder of the global investment firm KKR & Co.. The couple resides in New York City and maintains a significant presence in the city's philanthropic, social, and cultural circles. She became a naturalized United States citizen while retaining her Canadian citizenship. Her stepchildren include filmmaker Jennifer Kravis and others from her husband's previous marriage.

Awards and recognition

Kravis has received numerous honors for her contributions to the arts and public policy. She was appointed an **Officer of the Order of Canada**, one of the country's highest civilian honors. She is a recipient of the **Légion d'honneur** from the Government of France. In 2015, she was awarded the **David Rockefeller Award** from the Museum of Modern Art for her philanthropic leadership. She holds honorary doctorates from several institutions, including McGill University and Yeshiva University.

Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:Canadian economists Category:American philanthropists Category:Officers of the Order of Canada