William H. Donaldson

As one of the members of President Obama's high-profile Economic Recovery Advisory Board, and with his experience as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is perhaps the most important rule-making authority for U.S. financial markets, William Donaldson is one of the most sought after speakers regarding the current state of the economy and prospects for the road to recovery.

William H. Donaldson became the 27th Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission in 2003. As Chairman, Mr. Donaldson oversaw the regulation of US securities markets, ensured compliance with and enforcement of securities laws and, through corporate governance mandates, sought to ensure the protection of investors' interests. He is currently Chairman of Donaldson Enterprises, a private investment firm.

Under his leadership, the SEC focused on restoring investor confidence through targeted policy reforms including an enhanced focus on corporate governance and ethics, internal management reforms aimed at increasing the agency's ability to anticipate challenges in the securities and financial markets, and improved disclosure of financial information to better prepare investors to make sound investment decisions appropriate for themselves and their families. The agency's response to the challenges facing the financial markets during Mr. Donaldson's tenure marked the greatest period of activity during the agency's most historic era since its creation in 1934.

Mr. Donaldson arrived at the Commission with more than 40 years of experience working at the highest levels of business, government and academia. He served as Chairman and CEO of the investment banking firm Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ) which he co-founded; Chairman and CEO of the New York Stock Exchange; and Chairman, President and CEO of Aetna. He was named National Businessman of the Year by the Associated Press in 1970.

Mr. Donaldson helped found the Yale University School of Management, serving as the graduate school's first dean and professor of management studies. His government service spans five presidential administrations and includes serving as Under Secretary of State to then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and Counsel and Special Adviser to Vice President Nelson Rockefeller.

He has been a director of fourteen publicly held corporations and a number of privately held businesses.

He has served as Chairman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and on the boards of numerous philanthropic, arts and educational institutions, among them The Ford Foundation, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, The Aspen Institute, The Marine Corps University Foundation and Yale University. He has received a number of honorary degrees and awards.