Kenneth I. Chenault

Chairman of General Catalyst

Kenneth I. Chenault is the Chairman of General Catalyst, one of the world’s largest, most experienced, and successful venture capital firms. Prior to joining General Catalyst, he was the esteemed CEO and Chairman at American Express from 2001 to 2018, breaking barriers as the third African American CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Few sit higher in the venture ecosystem than Kenneth Chenault. Chenault's career commenced in 1977 at the law firm Rogers & Wells in New York City, followed by consulting for Bain & Company from 1979 to 1981. After joining American Express, he rose through pivotal roles, reaching Chairman and CEO status in 1997. Under his leadership, American Express thrived, establishing one of the world's largest customer loyalty programs. After his impactful tenure, Chenault, in 2018, took on the role of Chairman and Managing Director at General Catalyst Partners. His influence extends beyond corporate realms, evident in board memberships at prominent organizations like Airbnb, Facebook, IBM, and Berkshire Hathaway. Chenault's commitment to public service is reflected in his involvement with nonprofit organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution's Advisory Council for the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where he served as chairman. Alongside his wife, he is a founding donor of the Art for Justice Fund.