John Overdeck

John Albert Overdeck
Born	1969 United States
Occupation(s)	Hedge fund executive, philanthropist
Years active	1990s–present
Known for	Co-founder and co-chairman of Two Sigma Investments

John Albert Overdeck (born 1969) is an American billionaire and hedge fund executive, known as the co-founder and co-chairman of Two Sigma Investments, a New York-based hedge fund that incorporates advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and distributed computing within its trading frameworks. In 2016, Overdeck's income was reported at $375 million, and by May 2017, Two Sigma's assets under management had reached $41 billion.

By March 2019, Forbes listed him among the top earners in the hedge fund management and trading sectors.

Early life

Overdeck is the son of Dr. John M. Overdeck, who served as a senior mathematician at the National Security Agency before retiring, and the late Betsey Lombard Overdeck, who held a directorial position at Computer Sciences Corporation.

He completed his secondary education at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia, Maryland, where he earned a silver medal at the 1986 International Mathematics Olympiad. He pursued higher education at Stanford University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in mathematics followed by a master's degree in statistics.

Prior to establishing Two Sigma Investments, Overdeck held roles including managing director at D.E. Shaw & Co. and vice president at Amazon.com.

Two Sigma Investments

In 2001, Overdeck co-founded Two Sigma Investments alongside David Siegel and Mark Pickard (who has since retired). The firm’s headquarters are located in New York City, with additional offices situated in Houston, London, and Hong Kong. By January 2015, Two Sigma managed $34.21 billion in assets, which increased to $41 billion by May 2017.

Beyond its core hedge fund activities, Two Sigma operates a market-making division, owns a reinsurance company based in Bermuda, and manages a venture capital arm.

Wealth

In March 2017, Overdeck was ranked ninth on Forbes' list of Highest-Earning Hedge Fund Managers. As of March 2019, his estimated net worth stood at $6.1 billion, placing him among the most lucrative hedge fund managers and traders according to Forbes.

Board memberships

Overdeck holds several leadership roles including acting chairmanship of the National Museum of Mathematics, directorship at the Robin Hood Foundation, trusteeship at the Institute for Advanced Study, and board membership with the Hamilton Insurance Group.

Personal life

On October 12, 2002, Overdeck married Laura Bilodeau, who was then a principal consultant at Stanford Research Institute and later founded Bedtime Math. They have three children and reside in Millburn, New Jersey. In early 2022, Laura Overdeck filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.” According to The Wall Street Journal, no prenuptial agreement exists between them. Additionally, she filed a lawsuit concerning family attorneys transferring assets into Wyoming trusts, alleging efforts to conceal assets from her and their children.

In 2019, Overdeck secured third place in the National Museum of Mathematics Masters Tournament, an event that raised close to $1 million.

Philanthropy

In 2011, John and Laura Overdeck established the Overdeck Family Foundation to support educational research and promote STEM education. Their mission centers on empowering American children by enhancing learning experiences both inside and outside traditional classroom settings.

Their charitable efforts concentrate on four primary areas: "early impact," "exceptional educators," "innovative schools," and "inspired minds." Among their beneficiaries are organizations such as the Robin Hood Foundation for early childhood program research, the Harlem Children's Zone, and the Khan Academy. Additional recipients include the NJ STEM Teaching Fellowship and Governor's School for the Sciences at Drew University. Laura Overdeck, herself an alumna of Governor's School, played a key role in sustaining the program through private funding in 2006.

In October 2018, the Overdeck Education Innovation Fund committed $1 million over three years to the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs for education research—marking their second $1 million donation since 2016. That same month, they pledged $3 million to Opportunity Insights at Harvard University, a policy research center that publishes data analyzing children's prospects of overcoming poverty based on their geographic upbringing.

Honors and recognition

• At age 16 in 1986, earned a Silver Medal representing the United States at the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Poland
• Named Distinguished Alumni by The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth in 2012
• Received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 2017
• Honored with the Manager Lifetime Achievement Award during Institutional Investor's 17th annual Hedge Fund Industry Awards in 2019