Kenneth Chenault

Ken Chenault is the chairman and a managing director of the venture capital firm General Catalyst. He joined American Express in September 1981 and held various leadership roles, including President of the Consumer Card Group in 1989 and Vice Chairman in 1995, overseeing the company’s worldwide card and travel businesses. He served as the CEO of American Express from 2001 to 2018 and was also named Chairman in April 2001.

A recognized expert on brands and brand management, Chenault co-founded OneTen, an initiative aimed at upskilling, hiring, and advancing one million Black Americans over ten years into family-sustaining jobs with advancement opportunities. He was named to Fortune’s World’s 50 Greatest Leaders list in 2014 and 2021. Prior to his extensive tenure at American Express, Chenault was a management consultant with Bain & Co. from 1979 to 1981, and an attorney with Rogers & Wells from 1977 to 1979.

Chenault serves on the boards of Airbnb, Berkshire Hathaway, Chief, and Guild Education, as well as on the Harvard Corporation. His commitment to public service and corporate responsibility has earned him awards such as the Phoenix House Public Service Award and the Corporate Responsibility Award from the International Rescue Committee. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA in history from Bowdoin College.