Education
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1984. He also studied at the London School of Economics in 1983.
president Chief Executive Officer of Accion
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1984. He also studied at the London School of Economics in 1983.
Schlein holds a bachelor"s degree in economics and a master’s degree in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Schlein began his career at Smith Barney, where he worked with municipal governments on access to capital markets. He returned to the private sector in 1997, working directly for then-Smith Barney Chief Executive Officer Jamie Dimon.
Following the firm"s merger with Salomon Brothers, Travelers, and Citibank into the newly-created Citigroup, he assumed responsibilities for government relations, philanthropy, internal and external strategic communications and branding, human resources and international franchise management.
Through his work with Citi’s philanthropic arm, the Citi Foundation, he became interested in microfinance and worked with Accion, a global non-profit that helps provide financial services for those living in poverty. He joined Accion’s Board of Directors in 2007.
He was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Accion following Maria Otero’s departure in September 2009. At Accion, he has overseen significant expansions of the organization, including a new strategy focused on the broader goal of financial inclusion where everyone has access to the financial tools they need to help improve their live, Schlein is a vocal advocate of building economic opportunity through microfinance, impact investing, and social entrepreneurship, and he is frequently quoted in the media, including Reuters, American Banker, and Institutional Investor on related subjects.
In April of 2014, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Schlein to serve as the Chairman of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.
Schlein and de Blasio are long-time personal friends, having worked together in the Dinkins Administration.
He was a member of the firm"s Management Committee, Executive Director of its Business Practices Committee, as a director of Citibank, North.A. Poland’s Bank Handlowy, and Citibank of Korea, Incorporated.
He has stated that he plans to “be more prudent” in the city’s approach to corporate subsidies and tax incentives, noting that “New York City is a magnet for talent and employees” and New York City is “now in a position of strength.” He also serves on the Board of Directors for BancoSol in Bolivia, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has also worked as the Deputy Director of the Podium Speechwriting Operation at the Democratic National Conventions in 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012, and he was a member of the New York Finance Committee of Obama for America.