Kenneth M. Jacobs
American businessman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenneth M. Jacobs (born September 1958)[1] is an American business executive. He serves as Senior Chairman and Senior Advisor to the Board of Lazard.[2] Previously, he was the CEO and chairman of Lazard from 2009[3] until September 2023,[4][5] when he became executive chairman.[3]
Stanford University (MBA)
Kenneth M. Jacobs | |
|---|---|
Kenneth Jacobs in 2023 | |
| Born | September 1958 (age 67) |
| Education | University of Chicago (BA) Stanford University (MBA) |
| Occupations | Senior Chairman and former CEO of Lazard |
| Spouse | Agnès Mentre |
| Children | 3 |
Biography
Born in Greenburgh, New York, in September 1958,[1] Jacobs received a B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.[6] He joined the financial company Lazard in 1988,[7] and was named a partner in 1991. In 2002 he was named deputy chairman and head of North America for Lazard.[8][9] In this role, he focused on new markets and new practices,[9] for example expanding Lazard’s financial advisory business via acquisitions.[7]
In November 2009, the Lazard board elected Jacobs as chairman and chief executive officer.[10] Lazard announced on May 26, 2023 that Jacobs would transition from CEO and chairman to executive chairman effective October 1, 2023, while continuing to advise clients on financial matters.[6] In November 2024, Lazard announced that Jacobs would further transition to Senior Chairman of the company and Senior Advisor to the Board.[2]
In February 2026, Jacobs was appointed to the board of trustees of Vanguard.[11] He is vice-chair of the both Board of Trustees at the University of Chicago[12] and the board at the Brookings Institution.[13]
Personal life
Jacobs is married to Agnès Mentre, daughter of French banker and politician, Paul Mentré;[14] she was a former Lazard banker who later became a film producer including such credits as The Wrestler, the Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11,[15] and Wind River. They have two daughters and a son.[1]