George Wellde, a Philanthropist, is a Director at Fortress Investment Group

George Wellde, a former Goldman Sachs executive and trustee emeritus of the University of Richmond, serves as director at Fortress Investment Group and sits on the board of trustees at GW.

He is an economist with expertise in commodity derivatives and market microstructure. Prior to this position, he served as research economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, producing estimates and forecasts regarding farm business financial conditions and household well-being.

Early Life and Education

Early childhood is a critical period in a child’s development and education. According to UNESCO, high quality pre-primary education can create the foundations for emotional well-being, social inclusion, and lifelong learning throughout a child’s life.

Early childhood development programs provide children with essential emotional skills such as self-assurance, regulation of emotions, positive self-belief and expression. Small class sizes, high teacher-child interaction time and other supportive environments encourage these critical stages in development.

However, many children around the world lack access to quality early childhood education (ECE) programs. Furthermore, inadequate educators and unstimulating environments can limit a child’s experiences. In 2015, nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals to address this gap; these targets call for providing all girls and boys with quality education – including preschool – regardless of their background.

Professional Career

George Wellde had an illustrious career at Goldman Sachs, serving as vice chairman of the Securities Division and head of North America Sales for Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities. Additionally he held positions as partner and managing director.

He and his wife Patricia recently created an endowment to fund a two-year professional fellowship program to encourage careers in public service. This initiative is in collaboration with the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit organization that strengthens civil service roles within federal government.

Peter Kamocsai and Jay Yang, alumni of GW’s Center for Career Services, were the first fellows selected for the program. Both share a passion for civic engagement.

Achievements and Honors

George Wellde is a member of Fortress Investment Group’s board of directors and an emeritus trustee of the University of Richmond. Additionally, he chairs their investment committee as a senior representative.

He serves on the board of directors for GAVI Alliance, a global organization committed to combatting child poverty and AIDS through improved access to vaccines and education. Additionally, he sits on the executive committee and investment committee at Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation as well as Partnership for Public Service in Washington D.C. and Driver Group, an oncology company based in San Francisco.

He and his wife Patricia conduct their philanthropic activities through the Kat Foundation. In 2018, this foundation granted just under $1 million in grants.

Personal Life

George Wellde, a director of Fortress Investment Group, has been active in the philanthropic community since August 2009. He serves on the boards of several charities such as GAVI Alliance, The Spence School, University of Arizona Foundation and Partnership for Public Service in Washington D.C.

Wellde and his wife Patricia channel their philanthropy through the Kat Foundation. According to recent tax filings, it awarded just under $1 million in grants in 2018. Their focus areas include education, health and the environment – with particular dedication to GAVI Alliance’s mission of saving lives through vaccines. Other notable gifts include support for Continuum Center for Health & Healing, Autism Speaks and Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

Net Worth

George Wellde is a former partner of Goldman Sachs with an estimated net worth of around $23 million. Together with his wife Patricia, he and Patricia are philanthropic individuals who donate their money to public service organizations and other charitable causes. They established an endowment for two-year professional fellowship program at The George Washington University in Washington D.C.; donated to GAVI Alliance which fights AIDS; contributed money to organizations supporting health and the environment; created Kat Foundation which awards grants in their name; been married since 1979 with four children born from this union