Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health and School of Social Work Commencement Addresses

Lawrence Benjamin

(MPH ’16) • Founder and Managing Director, Capwell Partners; Senior Advisor, New Mountain Capital; Chairman, Diversified Foodservice Supply, Inc.

Lawrence Benjamin has more than 30 years of experience leading business turnarounds in the food industry. He has successfully led six companies through challenging transitions across the full spectrum of the food sectors: grocery, retail, consumer packaged goods, food ingredients, and restaurant services and supplies.In the last decade, Lawrence has dedicated his career to growing businesses through private equity and venture capital investments. He is the founder and managing director of Capwell Partners, a venture growth firm focused on consumer solutions that promote wellness and prevent chronic disease. He is also a senior advisor for New Mountain Capital, a growth-oriented private equity firm.

He has served on eight public and private company boards, numerous non-profit boards, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Diversified Foodservice Supply. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Brown University, a Master in Business Administration from Columbia University, a Master from Northwestern University, and an Master in Public Health from Loyola University Chicago.