John Connaughton

John Connaughton has served on Berklee's board of trustees since 2005, dedicating his investment expertise and deep passion for music to the college. Connaughton and his wife, Stephanie, have established two funds to support musical excellence at Berklee. The first is the Connaughton Endowed Scholarship Fund, which provides much-needed financial support to students with the potential to have an impact on the world through music. The second is the Connaughton Endowed Fund for BerkleeICE, which supports Berklee's Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship. During his time on the board, Connaughton also led Berklee's Giant Steps capital campaign to fund scholarships, new facilities, and innovation.

These funds continue to provide students from diverse and underprivileged backgrounds with the resources to attend Berklee. In addition, it provides Berklee with the support it needs to build a stronger future for generations to come.

Connaughton is co-managing partner of Bain Capital and global head of Bain Capital Private Equity. Since joining the firm in 1989, he has led numerous investments in healthcare, technology, and media. Prior to joining Bain Capital, he was a strategy consultant at Bain & Company. 

Connaughton is active in a variety of charitable activities individually and through Bain Capital Community Partnership. He serves as a member of the Brigham and Women’s Board of Trustees and the Harvard Business School Board of Dean's Advisors. He also serves on the board of the University of Virginia Investment Management Company (UVIMCO), the GreenLight Fund Board of Directors, and the UVA McIntire School of Commerce Foundation Board. Additionally, Connaughton is a member of the Boston Celtics’ investor group and Board of Directors.

John and Stephanie are dedicated supporters of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. They also helped establish the Connaughton Alternative Investing Professorship Fund at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.

Connaughton’s deep connection to music stems from playing bass and electric guitar since his youth and being an avid concert enthusiast. He still plays guitar and piano, and his extensive music collection spans many genres, from contemporary to classic rock and from jazz to ska and reggae. His favorite bands and artists include the English Beat, the Rolling Stones, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Dave Matthews, Robert Johnson, Buena Vista Social Club, and Johnny Cash.

When asked what excites him about his involvement with Berklee, Connaughton says, “Music is a first love. The excitement and energy of Berklee is infectious. I believe the school has a unique role to play in contemporary music and significant advantages in developing and promoting new and existing contemporary genres. I also believe that it is a unique asset in the Boston community that can be leveraged for community outreach to support the school and community. It should be more prominently featured and understood as an asset that makes Boston great. I’d like to be part of Berklee realizing its potential by offering my business experience, network, recording industry knowledge, and love for music.”

Connaughton received a B.S. in commerce with distinction from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Harvard University Graduate School of Business, where he was a Baker Scholar. He and his wife live in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and have twin children. 

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