William S. Fisher

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William S. Fisher
Born 1958 (age 65–66)
Residence San Francisco
Nationality United States
Ethnicity Jewish
Alma mater B.A. Princeton University
M.B.A. Stanford University
Occupation Retail executive; Philanthropist
Known for Director of The Gap Inc.
Net worth Increase $1.55 billion (March 2013)[1]
Spouse(s) Sakurako Fisher[1]
Children 3[1]
Parent(s) Donald Fisher
Doris Feigenbaum
Family Robert J. Fisher (brother)
John J. Fisher (brother)

William S. Fisher (born 1958) is an American businessman and philanthropist. He has been a director of Gap Inc. since 2009 and is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Manzanita Capital Limited.[2] The son of Gap Inc. founders Donald Fisher and Doris F. Fisher, William Fisher has been involved with the company as a board member or employee for nearly 30 years.

Early life and education

Fisher was born to a Jewish family,[3] is the son of Doris Feigenbaum Fisher and Don Fisher, the co-founders of Gap, Inc.[1] He has two brothers: Robert J. Fisher and John J. Fisher. Fisher attended Phillips Exeter Academy.[4][5] He is a 1979 graduate of Princeton University, where he received a bachelor's degree[1][4] and a 1984 graduate of the Stanford University School of Business, from which he earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration.[1][4]

Career

Fisher began his career at The Gap after earning his M.B.A.[4] starting first as the store director for the Banana Republic and then the general manager for Gap in Canada.[4] Fisher served as the president of the Gap's international division and is credited with expanding the company into Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan.[4] In 2001, he founded the London-based private equity firm Manzanita Capital and serves as its CEO.[1] Manzanita concentrates its investments in branded luxury companies in Europe, consumer goods, and retail.[4] In 2009, he was appointed to the Gap's Board of Directors.[2]

Philanthropy

Fisher donates heavily to his alma mater Stanford and has a professorship there. In 2011, he donated $1 million to Stanford's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.[1] He serves as vice chairman of the science museum Exploratorium in San Francisco.[4]

Personal life

Fisher is married to Sakurako D Fisher. They have three children.[1] His wife - who graduated from Stanford with a B.A. in 1982[4] - was born in Japan to an American father and a Japanese mother[6] and serves as president of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and chair of the Smithsonian National Board. [7]

References