Michael Klein. Source: https://investor.skillsoft.com/governance/board-of-directors
Salomon Brothers. Photo: Jim.henderson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1_New_York_Plz_fr_MWGW_E_of_BSt_jeh.jpg)
Salomon Brothers. Photo: Jim.henderson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1_New_York_Plz_fr_MWGW_E_of_BSt_jeh.jpg)
Michael Stuart Klein was born on November 12, 1963, to Barry Klein and Leah S. Klein. He developed his career in the international investment-banking sector during a period marked by financial deregulation, cross-border mergers, and the consolidation of major banking institutions.
Klein graduated cum laude from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, concentrating in finance and accounting. Wharton, founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, developed a prominent tradition of combining economic analysis with practical business education.
His education preceded a career in investment banking, where financial analysis, corporate finance, and mergers and acquisitions became central parts of his professional work.
Klein began his investment-banking career in the mergers and acquisitions group of Salomon Brothers in 1985. Salomon Brothers was a major American investment bank whose activities included securities underwriting, trading, and corporate advisory work; its integration into Travelers and later Citigroup reflected the consolidation of Wall Street firms during the 1990s.
From 2000 to 2003, Klein served as co-head of global investment banking at Salomon Smith Barney, the investment-banking division associated with Citigroup. He also held senior leadership in Citigroup's corporate and investment banking operations, including responsibility for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region from 2003 to 2004 and leadership of Global Banking from 2004 to 2006. In 2004 he was also vice chairman of Citibank International plc.
Klein became co-president of Citigroup's global corporate and investment banking group in 2007 and chairman and co-chief executive officer of Citi Markets & Banking from 2007 to 2008. He subsequently chaired Citi's Institutional Clients Group. These positions placed him among the senior executives overseeing corporate banking, investment banking, markets, and institutional-client businesses during the financial crisis period.
In 2012, Klein founded M. Klein and Company, a global financial and strategic advisory firm, where he became managing partner. The firm advises companies, boards, senior executives, governments, and institutional investors. Klein later became involved in special purpose acquisition companies, including Churchill Capital Corp entities, whose transactions included combinations involving Clarivate, Skillsoft, Lucid Group, and other businesses.
Klein has served on the boards of Skillsoft, Claritev, Oklo, and private companies including Magic Leap, Evolution Media Capital, and TBG AG. He served on the board of Credit Suisse Group from 2018 to 2022. At Oklo, an advanced nuclear-technology company developing fast-fission power systems, he served as chairman from 2021 to 2024 and remains a board member. He has also served as chief executive officer and chairman of Churchill Capital Corp IX and related Churchill Capital entities.
Klein helped lead major investment-banking and corporate-finance operations at Salomon Smith Barney and Citigroup, including global banking and institutional-client businesses.
Through Churchill Capital entities, Klein participated in business combinations involving Clarivate, Skillsoft, Lucid Group, and other companies, extending his career from investment banking into special purpose acquisition companies and strategic advisory work.
Klein founded M. Klein and Company in 2012, establishing a financial and strategic advisory firm serving companies, boards, governments, senior executives, and institutional investors.
Klein's professional affiliations have included board and advisory participation in financial, technology, education, and energy-related organizations. His governance work has extended beyond traditional banking through service on the boards of public companies and private enterprises, while his advisory practice connects corporate strategy with capital-markets experience.
Served as a member of the board of directors.
Credit Suisse Group AG , Switzerland
2018 - 2022
Serves as a director.
Skillsoft Corporation , United States
2021 - present
Serves as a board member and previously served as chairman.
Oklo Inc. , United States
2021 - present
Serves as a director.
Claritev Corporation , United States
2020 - present
Served as a member of the International Council.
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs , United States
Served as a member of the supervisory board.
Thyssen Bornemisza Group , Switzerland
Klein is the son of Barry Klein and Leah S. Klein. He married Beth Robin Neckman on January 16, 1999, and they have two children.
