Retired Professional Investor Jeff Van Harte Gives Back to His Alma Mater
Jeff Van Harte is an experienced investment professional and higher education philanthropist. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), he has generously supported his alma mater, giving to and soliciting donations for the Center for Healthy Neighborhoods, the Center for Oral and Public History, the Center for Sports Performance, and the College of Business & Economics (CBE). By supporting a public university whose funding pales in comparison to larger, private institutions, Jeff Van Harte seeks to do his part to equalize the wealth divide in higher education.
Jeff Van Harte’s financial contributions to CSUF includes providing the initial funding for the Titan Capital Management (TCM) program, formerly known as the Applied Securities Analysis Program. He then partnered with CSUF to provide additional funding to build adjacent facilities in the CBE, as well as provide more assets for TCM to manage. This yearlong program provides an immersive learning experience for students interested in pursuing careers in investment management. The additional investments are paying off. Titan Capital Management won the America’s Championship at the 2023 Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Research Challenge, as well as finishing in the top 6 globally out of more than 1,000 universities.
Jeff Van Harte holds the Chartered Financial Analyst accreditation and a bachelor’s degree in finance from CSUF. He paid for his undergraduate education by working as a ride operator at Disneyland, and upon his graduation, he was hired by Transamerica as a money market trader. Jeff Van Harte went on to rise through the company’s ranks, culminating in his position as a principal and executive vice president at Transamerica Investment Management.
In 2005, Jeff Van Harte left Transamerica to lead the Focus Growth Equity team at Delaware Investments. Recognizing that he could better serve his institutional clients through an independent company, he and his colleagues formed Jackson Square Partners in 2014. Under his leadership as chairman and chief investment officer, Jackson Square Partners grew to manage $30 billion in assets.
Mr. Van Harte stepped down from his position as chief investment officer in 2022, then retired from the firm in 2023. Today, along with his philanthropic activities, he enjoys reading, traveling, golf, and spending time with his family.
