David Rubenstein

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Chairman and CEO
Baltimore Orioles

David Rubenstein is a multifaceted business leader and philanthropist with deep roots in Baltimore. Co-founder of The Carlyle Group, Rubenstein has built a remarkable career spanning private equity, public service and nonprofit leadership.

As chairman and CEO of the Baltimore Orioles, Rubenstein has returned to his hometown to lead a major league baseball team. His professional journey began in law, practicing in Washington D.C. with Shaw Pittman Potts & Trowbridge LLP before transitioning to private equity.

Rubenstein’s political experience includes serving as Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy during the Carter administration and Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments. These early roles shaped his understanding of policy and governance.

In 1987, Rubenstein co-founded The Carlyle Group, which now manages $425 billion globally. His business approach is characterized by determination and strategic fundraising, qualities he credits to his modest upbringing.

A passionate philanthropist, Rubenstein has coined the term “patriotic philanthropy” to describe his commitment to preserving American landmarks. He chairs numerous prestigious organizations including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Gallery of Art.

His board memberships span critical institutions like Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine and the Brookings Institution. Rubenstein also serves on global advisory councils including Harvard’s Global Advisory Council and the World Economic Forum.

An accomplished author and media personality, Rubenstein hosts television shows on PBS and Bloomberg TV and has written four books, three of which became New York Times best-sellers. His dedication to literacy stems from childhood experiences at Baltimore’s Enoch Pratt Library.

Recognized with honors like the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy, Rubenstein continues to influence business, culture and public service through his multifaceted endeavors.

Honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by honoree nominations, applications and letters of recommendation. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.

This profile is part of The Daily Record's Power 100 List for 2024. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. See the full list at thedailyrecord.com.