Early Life
Marilyn Hawrys Simons, born around 1951, pursued a path in economics, earning both a B.A. and a Ph.D. from Stony Brook University. During her time at Stony Brook, she met her future husband, Jim Simons. While her academic background was in economics, her career trajectory led her to the world of philanthropy, particularly in the realm of scientific research and education.
Rise to Success
Marilyn Simons co-founded the Simons Foundation in 1994 with her husband, Jim Simons. Jim Simons was a mathematician, hedge fund manager, and investor. The Simons Foundation supports research in mathematics and basic sciences. After Jim Simons's death in May 2024, Marilyn Simons has continued to lead the foundation.
Key Business Strategies
The Simons Foundation's key strategy has been to fund basic science research, education, and outreach. The foundation makes grants to individual researchers and their projects. The foundation also launched the Flatiron Institute, an in-house multidisciplinary research institute focused on computational science. Renaissance Technologies, founded by her late husband, Jim Simons, employed quantitative investment strategies, which led to significant financial success.
Philanthropy
Marilyn Simons oversees the philanthropic work of the MJS Foundation, a private family foundation. The Simons Foundation has made significant contributions to research in mathematics, life sciences, autism research, and education. She is also involved in supporting K-12 education for underserved communities. She is also a member of the board of trustees of the LearningSpring School, a New York City-based school for children diagnosed on the autism spectrum.