Michael B. Kim

Michael B. Kim is the founder and chairman of MBK Partners. Kim is an alumnus of Haverford College, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He earned his MBA at Harvard Business School and was a Fulbright Scholar.

Published Works

Kim is the author of the national bestselling novel “Offerings,” a coming-of-age tale and financial thriller that unfolds during a pivotal time in South Korean history. The semi-autobiography follows protagonist Dae Joon’s challenges in navigating his identity and breaking from the constraints of family expectations. “Offerings” was published in 2020.

Executive Experience

Kim started his career in New York as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs & Co. After his tenure there, he transitioned to Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup in Hong Kong and The Carlyle Group in South Korea.

Kim drew on his experience to found MBK Partners, now the largest independent private equity firm in North Asia. Kim saw an opportunity for a more locally rooted investment team with the regionalized knowledge needed to succeed in the North Asian private equity sector. MBK Partners focuses on control buyouts and special situations, with offices across North Asia in Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.

At MBK Partners, Kim is involved in the firm’s corporate strategy, talent advancement and capital allocation decisions.

Kim’s philanthropy covers arts, culture and education, including The New York Public Library, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Carnegie Hall, serving as a trustee for these cultural landmarks.

Kim endowed $7 million to establish a professorship at Harvard Business School and contributed a $25 million gift to launch the Michael B. Kim Institute for Ethical Inquiry and Leadership at Haverford College. Kim is the chair of the Board of Managers at Haverford College and was a member of the Harvard Business School Board of Dean’s Advisors. In addition, he provides leadership, strategic oversight and governance as the chairman of the board of the MBK Scholarship Foundation.

Awards & Recognitions

Kim was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Council of Korean Americans and he was designated as one of Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy. Kim was also recognized as Private Equity Professional of the Year by Asian Venture Capital Journal.

Learn more about Michael B. Kim:

Official Website | MBK Partners | Forbes | Haverford College | Crunchbase