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Jon Willingham

Partner, Highmore

Professional Background

Jon David Willingham is a highly accomplished Partner at Highmore, a leading global alternative asset management firm, where he plays a pivotal role in driving the firm’s strategic growth and expanding its international presence. As one of the founding members of Highmore, his contributions have been instrumental in shaping the firm's direction and success. Focused on consulting with a wide array of clients, including institutional investors, family offices, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, Jon David leverages his extensive expertise to advise on current and prospective investments, the strategic direction of portfolio companies, and navigating complex political and impact-related issues.

Prior to his current role, Jon David served as the Managing Director of the Office of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., where he honed his abilities in sustainable investment and infrastructure. His commitment to sustainability is reflected in his experience advising numerous leading private and institutional investors in the cleantech and renewable energy sectors. Jon David has overseen financings totaling over $2 billion and the structuring of funds exceeding $2.2 billion, further underscoring his impact in the sector.

In addition to his responsibilities at Highmore, Jon David actively participates on various boards and in advisory capacities, contributing to a range of organizations, including Starwood Energy Group, ColorZen, and GridBright. His roles enable him to help shape strategy and drive performance for companies focused on making a positive impact in their respective industries.

Education and Achievements

Jon David Willingham's academic credentials set a strong foundation for his successful career. He earned a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) from Harvard University’s prestigious John F. Kennedy School of Government. This advanced education has equipped him with the necessary tools to navigate complex public and private sectors efficiently. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics and Political Science from Rhodes College, complemented by minors in International Studies and Business Administration. This diverse educational background has provided Jon David the analytical skills and problem-solving abilities that have distinguished his career in investment and strategic advisory roles.

Notable Achievements

Throughout his career, Jon David Willingham has made significant contributions to various sectors through his roles and advisory positions. He has been deeply involved in sustainable investments and operational growth, advising clients in the cleantech and renewable energy industries. His financial acumen and dedication to addressing environmental challenges are evident from the substantial funds he has structured and the innovative strategies he has led.

His professional journey includes previous positions at Bear, Stearns & Co. as a public finance investment banking associate, where he focused on structuring financial deals for major metropolitan and state clients. Furthermore, his tenure as an associate at AEA Holdings and Aetos Capital further cemented his expertise in investment banking and portfolio management. Jon David’s earlier experiences established the groundwork for his current success, enabling him to develop a robust understanding of the financial landscape and investment opportunities.

Overall, Jon David Willingham brings a wealth of experience, strategic insight, and a strong commitment to impact investing to the table, making him an invaluable asset in the world of alternative asset management. His dedication to sustainable practices and innovative investments truly distinguish him as a leading figure in the industry.

Highlights

Jun 1 · linkedin

🌟 Delighted to see Inc. Magazine recognize my dear friend and brilliant partner, Julia Monfrini Peev, and the unstoppable Hafeezah Muhammad, CEO of Backpack Healthcare!

🎉 Backpack Healthcare is revolutionizing digital pediatric mental health and recently secured a $14M Series A, led by PACE Healthcare Capital.

🤝 We’re doing VC differently at PACE: we reject the “spray and pray” model for a disciplined, deliberate approach that allows us to be better partners both to our portfolio companies and to our investors.

🧗🏽‍♀️ We’re honored to back impactful digital healthcare tech and diverse management teams changing the face of the industry.

#HealthcareInnovation #Diversity #Investment #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Funding #MentalHealth #PediatricCare #Innovation #VentureCapital #DigitalHealth #Healthcare

Apr 5 · linkedin

It’s been an exceptional week for PACE Healthcare Capital as our portfolio company, Prenosis, received FDA approval of its breakthrough Sepsis ImmunoScore™. This marks the FDA’s first-ever approval of an artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic tool for sepsis. Doing well while doing good is always the goal, but the potential magnitude of this week’s news is unique:

Sepsis is responsible for up to 1 in 5 deaths worldwide – more than all cancers combined – due to the difficulty of diagnosing sepsis and effecting a timely intervention. Sepsis is elusive in that it’s a heterogeneous syndrome from patient to patient with a wide field of biological and clinical features which may or may not present – an enormous diagnostic Rubik’s cube – which may lead even the most attentive medical professional to miss early indications. Beyond its mortality, sepsis is also an outsized driver of systemic healthcare costs:  sepsis is one of the most expensive conditions to treat, and is a leading cause of both hospital readmission and medical malpractice. 

For the millions that sepsis tragically kills each year, millions more survivors can be left permanently maimed or weakened. Absent a cure, early detection and treatment – which Prenosis’ Sepsis ImmunoScore™ aims to better enable – is critical both to improve survivability and limit long-term damage to sepsis survivors.

PACE Healthcare Capital was the first institutional financial investor in Prenosis, and we couldn’t be more pleased to support such a dedicated management team: Bobby Reddy, Jr., CEO and Founder; Carlos Lopez-Espina, Angela McFarland, Robin Carver, RN, MSN, CIC and many more; with gratitude for important contributions along the way from Rashid Bashir, Sean Murphy, Edward Ogunro, Maria Siambekos, Kevin Klauer, and many others. 

The Sepsis ImmunoScore™ tool, which is integrated into hospitals’ electronic medical records, was built using Prenosis’ proprietary Immunix platform, the largest and growing relevant biobank containing more than 100,000 blood samples from more than 25,000 patients. Which is to say, delivering an FDA-approved artificial intelligence-powered sepsis diagnostic is just the first commercial application developed from the biobank’s data.

Together with my outstanding PACE colleagues – Julia Monfrini Peev, April EVANS, Nans RIVAT, Liz Yuhas – as well as our extraordinary bench of operating partners and senior advisors, we look forward to what's next!

Related Questions

How did Jon David Willingham's education at Harvard influence his career in alternative asset management?
What are the key strategies Jon David Willingham employs to drive sustainable investment at Highmore?
Can Jon David Willingham share insights on the challenges of advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals on complex investments?
In what ways has Jon David Willingham's previous experience at Bear, Stearns & Co. shaped his approach to investment banking?
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Jon Willingham
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Location

London, England, United Kingdom