Medal for Eminent Service
Douglas C. Grissom is a managing director at Madison Dearborn Partners (MDP), overseeing the private equity firm’s Business & Government Services Team. Prior to joining MDP, Grissom held positions at Bain Capital, McKinsey & Co. and Goldman Sachs. At Amherst, he was a dedicated four-year member of the squash team and also participated in student government, serving on the College Council and in the Student Alumni Association. He majored in European studies and German, graduating magna cum laude before earning an MBA at Harvard.
Since graduation, Grissom has filled numerous leadership positions as a highly active alumnus, including the Class of 1989’s co-president and treasurer, Alumni Fund associate agent and Midwest Region Lives of Consequence campaign chair. Because of Grissom’s exemplary leadership and inspired motivation throughout the campaign, his effort in the Midwest raised nearly $22 million dollars—113 percent of an already ambitious goal. As a generous donor to the college, he also advanced its need-blind admission policy by establishing the Douglas C. and Ann M. Grissom 1989 Scholarship Fund and enhanced its student support services with the Douglas C. and Ann M. Grissom 1989 Fund for Writing. In addition, he holds an important leadership role for Amherst and his class this year, serving as co-chair of the Class of 1989’s 25th Reunion Gift Committee, which has already surpassed its goal and is raising an extraordinary gift for the college.
Grissom’s service has extended beyond Amherst to current roles as a board member of Aderant Holdings, Asurion LLC, CoVant Technologies II and LGS Innovations. He was formerly on the boards of directors of @stake, Inc.; Cbeyond, Inc.; Fieldglass, Inc.; Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co.; Intelsat Holdings, Ltd.; and Neoworld Holdings, LLC. Beyond these commitments, he serves on several nonprofit boards, including those of City Year Chicago, the Lincoln Park Zoo and METROsquash. He and his wife, Ann, have four children and live in Chicago.