Joshua Bekenstein

Joshua Bekenstein
Born	New York City, U.S.
Alma mater	Yale University (BA), Harvard Business School (MBA)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, businessman
Years active	1980–present
Known for	Co-chairman of Bain Capital
Spouse	Anita Bekenstein
Children	5

Joshua Bekenstein is an American entrepreneur who serves as co-chairman of Bain Capital. He is acknowledged as a prominent figure within the Boston Billionaires Club.

Early life and education

Raised in a Jewish household in New York City, Bekenstein attended the Birch Wathen School prior to its consolidation with Lenox School.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1980 and was an active member of the men’s lacrosse team throughout his four years. In recognition of his long-standing dedication to Yale’s governance and fundraising initiatives—including participation on the Yale School of Management Board of Advisors, the Yale Investment Committee, the University Council, and his role as a successor trustee of the Yale Corporation since 2013—he was honored with Yale’s George H.W. Bush Lifetime of Leadership Award in 2015.

Following Yale, Bekenstein completed an MBA at Harvard Business School in 1984.

Career

Upon graduating from Yale, Bekenstein began his career at Bain & Company, providing strategic consulting services to clients across multiple sectors. In 1984, he became one of the inaugural employees at Bain Capital, recruited by founders Bill Bain and Mitt Romney. He advanced to managing director by 1986 and was appointed co-chairman in 2016.

His board memberships span several leading corporations such as Gymboree Corporation, Dollarama, Toys "R" Us, Bombardier Recreational Products, Michaels Stores, Burlington Coat Factory, Waters Corporation, and Bright Horizons Family Solutions. Additionally, he holds significant leadership positions within Yale University.

Personal

Bekenstein and his wife Anita live in Wayland, Massachusetts and maintain a beachfront residence on Nantucket. They are parents to five grown children.

Philanthropy

Together with his wife, Bekenstein is a substantial contributor to Democratic and progressive political initiatives, making significant donations to super PACs including Unite the Country and Priorities USA Action that support Joe Biden. Their combined contributions totaled $18.7 million during the 2020 election cycle, positioning Bekenstein as the 17th highest donor. They also oversee a donor-advised fund through Boston’s Combined Jewish Philanthropies.

He co-leads the board of New Profit Inc., a venture philanthropy organization based in Boston, and serves on the Board of Trustees for the Pan-Mass Challenge, which benefits the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, where he holds the position of chairman. Bekenstein played a key role as co-chair for Dana-Farber’s “Mission Possible” campaign that exceeded its $1 billion target in 2009. He chairs the board of Be The Change and contributes as a board member for organizations such as City Year, Opportunity Nation, and New Leaders. His philanthropic efforts further extend to Horizons for Homeless Children, Year Up, Teach for America, Kipp Schools, and Boston Children’s Hospital.

In recognition of his nonprofit leadership, Bekenstein was awarded Nonprofit Director of the Year by the National Association of Corporate Directors in 2010. He also donated $100,000 to The Lincoln Project in June 2020.