Full Name
Lauren Leichtman
Job Title
Controlling Owner
Company
San Diego Wave FC
Speaker Bio
Lauren B. Leichtman co-founded Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, LLC (LLCP) with Arthur E.
Levine in 1984. LLCP is an independent private equity firm that makes structured equity
investments in middle-market companies located primarily in the United States and Western
Europe.
LLCP has managed approximately $18.1 billion of institutional capital since its founding on behalf
of a worldwide network of institutional investors. These investors include state and corporate
pension plans, insurance companies, family offices, foundations and endowments. Over the past
41 years, the firm has grown significantly and expanded geographically with offices in Los
Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, Frankfurt, London, Stockholm and Amsterdam.
Furthermore, LLCP has invested in over 150 middle-market companies primarily in the following
industries: consumer/branded products; franchises; business services; healthcare; education; and
engineered products/light manufacturing.
As a result of her private equity experience, Lauren is known as a trailblazer and role model for
women in the private equity business. She is highly regarded for founding a successful private
equity firm and being the first woman to raise and manage more than $18 billion in institutional
investment capital. Forbes recently named her the world’s first and only self-made female
billionaire in private equity.
In October 2024, the Levine Leichtman Family Office purchased the San Diego Wave FC. Lauren
serves as the controlling owner of the Wave and is a Governor on the NWSL Board. The team is
an important investment for the family, who have long been a supporter of women’s sports and
collegiate athletics. The Family Office also invests in credit, real estate, private equity and venture
capital. Lauren has been married to Arthur Levine since 1979 and they have three children
together.
At UCLA, Lauren’s generosity resounds across disciplines with the Lauren B. Leichtman & Arthur
E. Levine Astrophysics Endowed Chair held by Dr. Andrea Ghez (a recent Nobel Prize winner in
Physics), their outstanding generosity to the UCLA Women's Athletic Department; and the Iris
Cantor-UCLA Women's Health Center Endowed Chair in Women’s Health Research. Among
their other charitable endeavors are the Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, Aviva Family
& Children's Services, Southwestern Law School, the United Jewish Federation of Miami, the
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Wilshire Boulevard Temple. At the heart
of all their efforts are their children who share their commitment to making our community a better,
safer and healthier place to live and work.
Prior to founding LLCP, Lauren practiced law for approximately ten years, including three years
with the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. She received a
J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law and an L.L.M. from Columbia Law School.
Lauren is Chair of the Southwestern Law School Board of Trustees, a member of the Advisory
Board of the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women's Health Center, and a member of the Board of Directors
of the United Jewish Federation of Miami.
Levine in 1984. LLCP is an independent private equity firm that makes structured equity
investments in middle-market companies located primarily in the United States and Western
Europe.
LLCP has managed approximately $18.1 billion of institutional capital since its founding on behalf
of a worldwide network of institutional investors. These investors include state and corporate
pension plans, insurance companies, family offices, foundations and endowments. Over the past
41 years, the firm has grown significantly and expanded geographically with offices in Los
Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, Frankfurt, London, Stockholm and Amsterdam.
Furthermore, LLCP has invested in over 150 middle-market companies primarily in the following
industries: consumer/branded products; franchises; business services; healthcare; education; and
engineered products/light manufacturing.
As a result of her private equity experience, Lauren is known as a trailblazer and role model for
women in the private equity business. She is highly regarded for founding a successful private
equity firm and being the first woman to raise and manage more than $18 billion in institutional
investment capital. Forbes recently named her the world’s first and only self-made female
billionaire in private equity.
In October 2024, the Levine Leichtman Family Office purchased the San Diego Wave FC. Lauren
serves as the controlling owner of the Wave and is a Governor on the NWSL Board. The team is
an important investment for the family, who have long been a supporter of women’s sports and
collegiate athletics. The Family Office also invests in credit, real estate, private equity and venture
capital. Lauren has been married to Arthur Levine since 1979 and they have three children
together.
At UCLA, Lauren’s generosity resounds across disciplines with the Lauren B. Leichtman & Arthur
E. Levine Astrophysics Endowed Chair held by Dr. Andrea Ghez (a recent Nobel Prize winner in
Physics), their outstanding generosity to the UCLA Women's Athletic Department; and the Iris
Cantor-UCLA Women's Health Center Endowed Chair in Women’s Health Research. Among
their other charitable endeavors are the Alliance for College-Ready Public Schools, Aviva Family
& Children's Services, Southwestern Law School, the United Jewish Federation of Miami, the
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Wilshire Boulevard Temple. At the heart
of all their efforts are their children who share their commitment to making our community a better,
safer and healthier place to live and work.
Prior to founding LLCP, Lauren practiced law for approximately ten years, including three years
with the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. She received a
J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law and an L.L.M. from Columbia Law School.
Lauren is Chair of the Southwestern Law School Board of Trustees, a member of the Advisory
Board of the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women's Health Center, and a member of the Board of Directors
of the United Jewish Federation of Miami.
Speaking At