Paul Finnegan
Paul Finnegan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1953 Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Investor, philanthropist |
| Known for | Co-founder and co-CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners; Treasurer of the Harvard Corporation (2014–2023) |
Paul James Finnegan (born 1953) is an investor and philanthropist based in Chicago. He co-established Madison Dearborn Partners in 1992 and has held the position of co-CEO since 2007. Between 2014 and 2023, he acted as the Treasurer of the Harvard Corporation and led the Harvard Management Company as its chair.
Life
Originally from Massachusetts, Finnegan completed his secondary education at Phillips Academy in Andover in 1971. He graduated from Harvard College in 1975, where he was a member of the ski team, and subsequently pursued graduate studies at Harvard Business School.
Business career
Finnegan played a pivotal role in founding Madison Dearborn Partners, a leading private equity firm, in 1992. He assumed the role of co-CEO in 2007 following John Canning Jr.'s departure to explore other business interests.
His board memberships include directorships at AIA Corporation, CDW, Government Sourcing Solutions LLC, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
In Illinois politics, Finnegan has been an influential donor, providing $100,000 to Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral campaign in 2015 and $200,000 towards Emanuel’s anticipated 2019 campaign.
Philanthropy and non-profit work
Via the Finnegan Family Foundation, he supports initiatives focused on education, youth development, healthcare, and community programs within Chicago.
Since 2012, Finnegan has been part of the Harvard Corporation, serving as treasurer from 2014 after succeeding Jim Rothenberg. He was involved in the committee responsible for appointing Larry Bacow as Harvard’s 29th president.
Additionally, he holds a board position with Teach For America and participates in various charitable organizations across the Chicago metropolitan area.