NEW YORK: Jacob “Jack” Lew, former Treasury Secretary and a seasoned figure in domestic and economic policy, has had a prolific career spanning over four decades. Born on August 29, 1955, in New York, New York, Lew’s early life was shaped by his parents, Irving Lew, a lawyer and rare book dealer, and Ruth (Turoff) Lew.
According to Tourism Africa, Lew’s initial foray into politics came in 1979 when he served as a domestic policy adviser to House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill Jr., a position he held until 1987. He subsequently joined the administration of President Bill Clinton, contributing to the development of AmeriCorps and serving in various capacities including special assistant to the President, deputy director, and later director of the Office of Management and Budget.
Lew transitioned to academia and the private sector in the early 2000s, taking up the role of executive vice president at New York University and later joining Citigroup as the chief operating officer of wealth management and Citi Alternative Investments. He returned to public service in 2009 as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, eventually becoming the Director of the Office of Management and Budget once again in November 2010.
On January 10, 2013, Lew’s extensive experience culminated in his nomination for secretary of the Treasury by President Barack Obama. He was confirmed by the Senate on February 27, 2013, and sworn in as the 76th secretary of the Treasury the following day. During his tenure, he announced significant changes, including the redesign of the $20 bill to feature Harriet Tubman, replacing Andrew Jackson. Lew left office on January 20, 2017, subsequently joining Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs as a visiting professor and then entering the private sector once again as a partner, and later managing partner, at Lindsay Goldberg LLC.
Most recently, on September 5, 2023, Lew’s career took a diplomatic turn as President Joe Biden nominated him as his ambassador to Israel, marking another significant chapter in his extensive public service journey.