Hunter Lewis

Early life

Lewis was born in Dayton, Ohio, USA, in 1947 and graduated from Groton School and Harvard University (AB 1969).

Cambridge Associates

After working at the Boston Company, then one of the largest investment managers, Lewis in 1975 co-founded and served as co-chief executive and then chief executive of Cambridge Associates LLC, an investment advisor to American research universities and colleges representing over three-quarters of U.S. higher education endowment assets, other non-profits, international organizations, and families. Lewis was a co-inventor of what became known as the American University style of institutional investing, which gave American university endowment funds the highest investment returns in the world among institutional investors, and which became widely emulated. Cambridge Associates also became known for its stated intention of avoiding the conflicts of interest endemic to Wall Street, conflicts that became especially apparent during the Crash of 2008. Cambridge Associates has said that its mode of “conflict free” services represents an important innovation in American finance.

Other activities

Lewis has been active in the environmental and natural health fields. He has been president of the Alliance for Natural Health-USA, chairman of the National Environmental Trust, chairman of the Worldwatch Institute, chairman of Shelburne Farms, treasurer of the World Wildlife Fund, trustee of World Wildlife Fund International, member of the Advisory Board of Environmental Health Sciences, and trustee of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. In addition to natural health and the environment boards, he has also been president of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, chairman of Dumbarton Oaks, trustee of the Morgan Library, trustee of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, trustee of Groton School, and member of the World Bank Pension Finance Committee.

Publications

Lewis has written for the New York Times The Times of London, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic Monthly as well as numerous websites such as Forbes.com and Realclearmarkets.com. Books on economics include: Free Prices Now!: Fixing the Economy by Abolishing the Fed (AC² Books; September 1, 2013), Crony Capitalism in America: 2008-2012 (AC² Books; September 1, 2013), Where Keynes Went Wrong: And Why World Governments Keep Creating Inflation, Bubbles, and Busts (Axios Press; September 25, 2009), Are the Rich Necessary?: Great Economic Arguments and How They Reflect Our Personal Values (Axios Press; September 25, 2007; Rev and expanded PB edition October 30, 2009), The Real World War (Coward, McCann & Geoghegan/Putnam; 1982). Books on moral philosophy include: A Question of Values: Six Ways We Make the Personal Choices That Shape Our Lives (Harper, Collins; 1990, Axios Press; Rev edition May 25, 2000), The Beguiling Serpent (Axios Press; August 31, 2000), Alternative Values: For and Against Wealth, Power, Fame, Praise, Glory, and Physical Pleasure (Axios Press; July 25, 2005). Articles include, among others: "Sustainability, The Complete Concept: Environment, Healthcare, and Economy".

Articles