Early Life and Education
Jon Lloyd Stryker was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1958. He is the youngest grandchild of Homer Hartman Stryker, the founder of Stryker Corporation, a leading medical technology company. Stryker's father, Lee Stryker, died in an airplane crash in 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Kalamazoo College in 1982. He later received a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Rise to Success
Stryker's career began with his involvement in the family business, Stryker Corporation. However, his passion lay in philanthropy, eventually transitioning away from the day-to-day operations of the company to focus on his charitable endeavors. In 2000, he founded the Arcus Foundation, a philanthropic organization supporting human rights, conservation, and social justice initiatives. The Arcus Foundation has become a leading global grantmaker, particularly in the areas of LGBT rights and great ape conservation.
Key Business Strategies
While not directly involved in the operational aspects of Stryker Corporation, Stryker's wealth stemmed from his stake in the company. His strategy has been to leverage his financial resources to support causes he believes in, focusing on long-term impact through strategic giving. He has served on several boards, including those of Kalamazoo College, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya.
Philanthropy
Stryker is renowned for his significant contributions to LGBT rights, racial equality, and primate wildlife protection. He has given over $700 million in his lifetime. Notable contributions include $15 million to the ACLU Foundation in 2021 for LGBTQ and HIV-related advocacy, and a $5.3 million gift to UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design in 2021. Stryker has been named one of the nation's Top 50 donors by the Chronicle of Philanthropy every year from 2006 to 2012 and again in 2014.
