David Rubenstein

David Rubenstein studied at Duke University and Duke School of Law, then worked as a domestic policy advisor in the Carter White House before entering private practice. In 1987 he co-founded The Carlyle Group in Washington DC with William Conway and Daniel D'Aniello, initially with just $5 million in capital. Carlyle pioneered a distinctive strategy of investing in government-related industries — defence contractors, aerospace, and telecommunications companies whose revenues were largely tied to government spending — where Washington connections and insight provided a competitive edge. The firm attracted a prominent roster of former government officials including former President George H.W. Bush, former Secretary of State James Baker, and former Prime Minister John Major as advisors and speakers, which attracted both investment capital and significant controversy. Carlyle grew to become one of the world's largest private equity firms, managing over $440 billion across more than 30 investment funds spanning buyouts, real estate, credit, and growth equity on six continents. Rubenstein has become one of the financial world's most visible personalities through his interviewing programme — the Carlyle Group's CEO series and his Bloomberg TV show "The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations" — where he interviews top business leaders. He is also a major philanthropist, donating hundreds of millions to the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and other national institutions.