William H. Draper

Managing Director @ Draper Richards L.P.

Having played an instrumental role in the expansion of the world economy, William H. Draper III is widely respected for his dedication to investing in people and ideas that better the world through innovative, high-impact solutions. His acumen as a business leader, public servant, and philanthropist has helped redefine models for international investment, philanthropy, and social entrepreneurship while ensuring paths to mentorship and growth in the United States. At a time when global skills and perspectives have never been more critical, Mr. Draper stands out as a true global citizen.

With over fifty years of experience, Mr. Draper is one of America's first venture capitalists. Today, he is Managing Director of Draper Richards L.P. and Draper International. He serves as the Co-Chairman of The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. In 1965, Mr. Draper founded Sutter Hill Ventures. From 1981 to 1986, he was President and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and lead U.S. efforts to sustain world trade in the face of major liquidity problems among developing countries. Thereafter, Mr. Draper was the head of the United Nations Development Program from 1986 to 1993 and oversaw nearly 10,000 international aid projects.

He serves on the boards of the Hoover Institution, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, World Affairs Council of Northern California, United Nations Association-USA, and the Harvard Business School California Research Center Advisory Board. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the President's Council on International Activities at Yale University.

Mr. Draper received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in 1950 and a Master of Business degree, with distinction, from the Harvard Business School in 1954.