About Us
We’ve been called a lot of things: investor, advisor, music artist, philanthropist, CEO, and more. We have one bold goal: to Power Possibilities for Humanity and its Future.
Who We Are
The Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative (Jones•Feliciano) is a high-impact philanthropic grantmaking and investment organization and family office founded by Kwanza Jones and José E. Feliciano. We have one bold goal: to Power Possibilities for Humanity and its Future.
José E. Feliciano
Co-Founder, Jones•Feliciano Initiative
José E. Feliciano is the Co-Founder of the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, a philanthropic grant-making and impact investment organization focused on creating a lasting impact in education, entrepreneurship, equity, and empowerment. To date, the initiative has committed over $200 million to these efforts.
He is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clearlake Capital. He is on the board of directors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the Robert Toigo Foundation, and LA28. He is also a trustee of Stanford University, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino, and J. Paul Getty Trust.
José E. Feliciano
Co-Founder, Jones•Feliciano Initiative
José E. Feliciano is a purpose-driven leader who believes in the power of collaboration, equity, and long-term impact. Known for his humility, drive, and unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for others, José exemplifies what it means to lead with intention. Whether mentoring future leaders, investing in transformative businesses, or supporting underserved communities, José’s missions reflect his belief that meaningful change begins with shared vision and collective effort.
Born in Puerto Rico, José’s journey started in a lower-middle-class household and led to co-founding the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative and Clearlake Capital Group.
José graduated with High Honors from Princeton University, where he received a B.S. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering. He later received his M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.
From his days at Princeton and Stanford to becoming a global leader in private equity, José has shown that true impact is built on purpose, resilience, and a commitment to making the world better. This reflects his relentless pursuit of excellence and his deep-rooted belief in the value of education and hard work.
Career Highlights
- He started his career in investment banking in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Finance Groups at The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
- Served as Chief Financial Officer of govWorks before it declared bankruptcy in 2000.
- Partner and member of the investment committee at Tennenbaum Capital Partners.
- Co-Founded Clearlake Capital Group with Behdad Eghbali in 2006, overseeing $95 billion in assets.
- Co-Founded the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative in 2014 with his partner in business and life, Kwanza Jones.
Awards & Honors
- The Jerry I. Porras Latino Leadership Award in 2018 from the Hispanic Business Student Association, Stanford Graduate School of Business
- Mission Possible: Impact Award from Toigo Foundation in 2019
- Featured on the Forbes 400 and Forbes Billionaires lists in 2020
- “Ripple of Hope Award” from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights in 2021
- Impact Award from Independence School Alliance in 2023
- In May 2023, Princeton unveiled two residence halls named after José and Kwanza, the first buildings in the university's history named after Black and Latino donors.
- In 2024, he became a Trustee of the J. Paul Getty Trust
- José and Kwanza were honored with the “Champions of Excellence Award” from Oliver Scholars in 2024
Biography
José E. Feliciano is the Co-Founder of the Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative, a philanthropic grant-making and impact investment organization focused on creating a lasting impact in education, entrepreneurship, equal opportunity, and empowerment. To date, the initiative has committed over $200 million to these efforts.
He is also the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., an investment firm founded in 2006 operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies.
Born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, José’s journey started in a lower-middle-class household before immigrating to the United States.
After graduating with High Honors from Princeton University, where he received a B.S. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Feliciano received his M.B.A. from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.
He started his career in investment banking in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Finance Groups at Goldman Sachs. He later became a partner and member of the investment committee at Tennenbaum Capital Partners, and served as Chief Financial Officer of govWorks, Inc.
Feliciano currently serves on the board of directors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a nonprofit academic healthcare organization that strives to set new standards for quality and innovation in patient care, the Robert Toigo Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering the career advancement and increased leadership of underrepresented talent, and LA28, a non-profit organization responsible for delivering the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. He is also a trustee of Stanford University, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino, and J. Paul Getty Trust.
Kwanza Jones
Co-Founder, Jones•Feliciano Initiative
Kwanza Jones is on a mission to boost a billion lives through culture, community, and capital. She is a sought-after speaker, accomplished artist, impact investor, and philanthropist with a multifaceted background spanning music, media, production, law, and business.
Jones is also CEO and Founder of SUPERCHARGED® by Kwanza Jones, a motivational media company. She has served on numerous boards including the Apollo Theater, Bennett College, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer, and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Through the Jones•Feliciano Initiative, she has committed over $200 million to education, entrepreneurship, equity, and empowerment organizations.