Tom Steyer. Influential manager with international ambitions
In this article, you will learn about the biography of one of the most successful managers, who began making the world a better place during his lifetime.
Tom Steyer was born on June 27, 1957, in Manhattan. From childhood, he showed a love for sports, especially football.
It's worth noting that the future billionaire grew up in a fairly well-off family. Tom's mother was a teacher, and his father was a lawyer and a partner at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.
Thanks to his father's diligence, Tom Steyer began his education at Buckley School, considered one of the most prestigious boys' schools in the United States. It's worth noting that its alumni included the children of the Rockefellers, the Roosevelts, and even Trump Jr.
Demonstrating excellent athletic ability as well as academic skills, Tom's parents were well aware of their son's future career possibilities.
Therefore, after completing ninth grade, the decision was made to transfer my son to Phillips Exeter Academy, graduation from which opened the way to admission to Yale University.
Manager career
After graduating, Tom took a job at Morgan Stanley. After just two years at the company, he decided to improve his skills and enrolled in Harvard Business School.
However, over time, he changed his plans and instead of Harvard, he chose Stanford Business School, where he actually received his MBA.
After earning his MBA, Tom Steyer received a tempting offer from Goldman Sachs that he simply couldn't refuse. He began his career at the company in the arbitration and risk management department, but eventually rose to head the mergers and acquisitions department.
Since 1995, Tom has served as a member of Hellman & Friedman's executive committee and as a general partner.
At the time, the company was managing approximately $8 billion. However, after just one year at the company, he decided to leave to start his own business.
In January 1986, Tom Steyer founded his asset management company, Farallon Capital. It's worth noting that at the time of the investment company's creation, Steyer was a fairly successful and well-known manager, so investors' money was flowing in.
Tom's vast fortune was made by investing in distressed assets during periods of instability, specifically by buying up debt obligations during crises, company shares, and so on.
At the time he stepped down as president, Farallon Capital had more than $20 billion under management.
Political activity
Since stepping down as president of Farallon Capital in 2012, Tom has become actively involved in environmental protection and the promotion of alternative energy.
The first major step in this direction was the sale of shares and assets in companies involved in mineral extraction and processing. Tom then founded OneRoof, a company that facilitated the introduction of these technologies to the Indian market.
Tom Steyer is a member of the US Democratic Party and was the largest investor during the Obama election campaign.
It's also worth noting that Steyer is an active fundraiser for various climate change PR campaigns. In one interview, Tom said he was prepared to sacrifice any means necessary to prevent President Trump from tearing up the climate agreement.
Tom Steyer's net worth is currently estimated at over $1.6 billion.
Steyer and his wife signed the famous Buffett-Bill Gates agreement, "The Giving Pledge," according to which they pledged to give at least half of their fortune to charity during their lifetime.
