As American University alumnus Derek Jones concludes a pioneering 35-year career in private equity, his legacy reverberates from Wall Street to the halls of the Kogod School of Business. Renowned nationally for backing world-class investment talent—including early support for private equity powerhouses Vista, Clearlake, and Sycamore—Jones’s leadership catalyzed the success of new fund managers and fundamentally changed the private equity landscape.
Jones’s trailblazing work at GCM Grosvenor empowered emerging managers by being their “smart money” investor when few others would take the risk. His belief—that capital is most powerful when it sparks new ideas and opens new doors—meant that his support helped others quickly gain traction, attract followers, and build some of the industry’s largest and most successful firms.
Reflecting his commitment to opening pathways for the next generation, Jones currently supports two vital funds at Kogod. The Derek and Cheryl Jones Endowed Scholarship provides support for business students who demonstrate strong connections to the Black, African heritage, and Caribbean communities through academic engagement, leadership, or community service. The Derek and Cheryl Jones Experiential Fund enables transformative, hands-on learning opportunities for students, helping them gain real-world experience that will fuel leadership and impact.
In recognition of Derek’s career impact and profound service to the university, GCM Grosvenor CEO Michael Sacks and the firm’s partners are making a major $250,000 gift to the Derek and Cheryl Jones Endowed Scholarship Fund.
"Derek has had an incredible impact on our firm and on the private equity industry as a trailblazer for small, emerging, and diverse Private Equity managers,” said Michael Sacks, Chairman and CEO of GCM Grosvenor.