Early Life
Lynn Rothschild was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Oklahoma City in a Jewish family. Her upbringing instilled in her the values of community and helping others. She attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
Rise to Success
In 1962, Lynn married Charles Schusterman, who founded Samson Resources Company, a major oil and gas production company. Charles's success in the oil industry laid the foundation for their family's wealth. Lynn and Charles founded the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation in 1987. After Charles's death in 2000, Lynn took the helm of the foundation, becoming the first woman to lead a large Jewish philanthropic organization. The family sold most of Samson Resources' assets in 2011, further boosting their philanthropic capacity.
Key Business Strategies
The Schustermans' financial success stemmed from Charles's strategic approach to the oil and gas industry. They focused on building Samson Resources into a major player in the sector. The family's decision to sell a significant portion of the company's assets in 2011 for $7.2 billion was a pivotal moment, allowing them to amplify their philanthropic efforts. Lynn's leadership of the family foundation and her commitment to strategic giving have been crucial in driving their philanthropic impact.
Philanthropy
Lynn Schusterman is renowned for her philanthropic work, which primarily focuses on the global Jewish community, Israel, and her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a major supporter of organizations like BBYO, Hillel, and Birthright Israel. Her initiatives extend to education, child advocacy, and the promotion of inclusion and equality. The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies has given over $3.5 billion in grants. Lynn and her daughter Stacy received the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022 for their impactful charitable contributions.