Laurene Powell Jobs is an American entrepreneur, business executive, and philanthropist widely recognized as the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
Born Laurene Powell on November 6, 1963, in West Milford, New Jersey, she grew up in a challenging environment after losing her father, a Marine Corps pilot, in an airborne collision when she was just three years old.
Her mother was left to raise four young children with limited resources, instilling a strong work ethic in the family.
Powell Jobs later earned degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, including a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Bachelor of Science in economics from the Wharton School, before pursuing graduate studies at Stanford University, where she met Steve Jobs.
Siblings
Laurene has two siblings, namely Brad Powell and Tracy Powell.
Brad and Laurene have been close, even relocating his family to Palo Alto after Steve Jobs’s passing to be nearer, and he has been involved in managing investments at her organization, Emerson Collective.
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Career
After completing her education, Powell Jobs initially worked in finance and founded a natural foods company before shifting toward philanthropy and impact investing.
She co-founded College Track, an organization dedicated to supporting first-generation college students from underserved communities to help them graduate from college.
In 2011, following Steve Jobs’s death, she established Emerson Collective, a social impact organization that blends philanthropy, venture investing, and advocacy.
Through Emerson Collective, she focuses on key areas such as education reform, immigration, environmental justice, health, and media.
Notable efforts include co-founding and chairing the XQ Institute, which aims to rethink and innovate American high school education, and becoming the lead investor and chair of The Atlantic magazine, where she has supported journalism and nonprofit news initiatives.
Accolades
Powell Jobs has been featured in major publications for her innovative approach to blending business and social good, and her stewardship of Emerson Collective has positioned her as one of the most influential philanthropists in areas like education and media.
Her investments and advocacy have drawn praise for promoting rigorous learning, immigration reform, and high-quality journalism, contributing to her status as a prominent figure in progressive causes and Silicon Valley philanthropy.
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