James DuBois Seymour – 50th Reunion Essay

James DuBois Seymour

11 Harbor Court

N Kingstown, RI 02852

jdseymour1@gmail.com

401-500-5918

Spouse(s): Sharon McPherson Seymour (1974)

Child(ren): Stephen Davis Seymour (1975); Jeffrey DuBois Seymour (1979)

Grandchild(ren): Jane Sophia Seymour (2006); Violet Savannah Seymour (2010); Emilia DuBois Seymour (2012)

Education: Pomfret School (1965); Yale University (1969); Harvard Business School (1975)

National Service: US Navy (1969–1973)

Career: International banking (Bankers Trust, 18 years); International Private Equity (Commonfund Capital 13 years, EMP Global 4 years, Pontefract Global Strategies 10 years);

Avocations: social enterprises; mentoring

College: Branford

The years since graduation have been wonderfully full, diverse, challenging, and rewarding. Upon graduation with a commission in the navy, I went to nuclear power school but flunked out after five months and transferred to diesel submarines. Sharon and I met in 1970 in Stonington Village, Connecticut, while she was walking her cat. Sharon (and cats) has been the major part of my life ever since. I left active duty after four years to go to Harvard Business School, which was followed by a 44-year international career.

I joined Bankers Trust Company and was initially responsible for 15 countries in Africa. Then we lived in Bahrain, Manila, Taipei, Istanbul, and London. I was let go after 18 years as the bank focused more on capital markets transactions rather than relationship management. I worked 13 years at Commonfund Capital managing international private equity funds of funds for colleges and foundations. My work included extensive travel and many advisory board positions around the world. I thoroughly enjoyed this job but wanted to do more in emerging markets and joined a private equity firm in Washington. However, it wound down after four years. For the last 10 years I have had my own company, Pontefract Global Strategies. I work from home and travel advising social impact private equity firms in exciting and challenging countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Haiti, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Bangladesh, and India. Wonderful things resulted from what I initially felt were setbacks during my career. From each job I gained invaluable experience and connections.

I am involved in volunteer activities in Rhode Island on the board of Social Enterprise Greenhouse and chairman of its loan committee; coaching startup social enterprises with diverse objectives such as the development of a fintech app to teach financial literacy to children; a drama therapy company that addresses family issues around opioid addiction; and an inner-city flower farm. I am also on the advisory council of the international business program at Bryant University and work with Pomfret School on its international study programs. I enjoy mentoring numerous young adults located around the world, including in Mumbai, London, Lagos, Stellenbosch, New York, Washington, and San Francisco. I am a strong advocate of social impact investing and greater participation of women in the investment sector. These widely diverse activities keep me very busy, very happy, and hopefully productive.

Sharon and I have been together 49 years and have two sons—Stephen, in investments in London for the last 17 years, and Jeffrey, chairman of the English department of a private school in Westchester, New York. Both are Yale graduates! We have three wonderful granddaughters 13, 9, and 7, all living in England, and another granddaughter expected just around the time of this reunion. Sharon has been the mainstay of our family, creating beautiful homes for us whether in Stamford or Westport, Connecticut, or in Bahrain, Manila, Taipei, or London. For the last five years she has created a wonderful home in Wickford, Rhode Island, overlooking Narragansett Bay and a condo in Naples, Florida. Because of her hard work and devotion we have lovely homes where our sons, granddaughters, and friends visit. She is the center of our world, providing for us, holding us together, and keeping us focused.