Herbert Lust

Herbert Lust is a seasoned professional with a diverse background spanning finance, investment, and environmental conservation. His career has taken an interesting trajectory, moving from Wall Street to a leadership role in a global conservation organization.

Career in Finance

Herbert Lust had a notable career on Wall Street, where he was one of the first people to be made a Senior Managing Director.3 He worked in distressed investing, which he describes as "brand new, wild, uncharted" during his time, and found excitement in pioneering new approaches in this field.4 His financial career included roles such as:

• Head of distressed at JPMorgan
• Managing positions at other financial institutions1

Lust's expertise in finance is recognized by peers, who describe him as an "extremely talented investor and portfolio manager" with decades of financial markets experience and an extensive network.2

Transition to Conservation

Currently, Herbert Lust serves as:

• Senior Vice President of Global Public Partnerships
• Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Conservation International Europe5

This role at Conservation International represents a significant shift from his Wall Street days, focusing on environmental protection and sustainable development.

Education and Philosophy

Interestingly, Lust's educational background includes:

• Philosophy and Art History
• MBA

He has noted that philosophy majors had an "unfair advantage" on Wall Street in the 1980s, similar to physics majors today.6 This unique educational background likely contributed to his distinctive approach in finance and later in conservation.

Personal Insights

Lust has shared personal reflections on his career journey:

• He experienced a "blow up" in his distressed investing career decades ago4
• Now in his 60s, he works as a salesman for Odeon Capital Group
• He has embraced a more frugal lifestyle, stating, "I have no choice but to live frugally now. And I'm much happier"1

Herbert Lust's career path demonstrates a remarkable transition from high-stakes Wall Street finance to global environmental conservation, showcasing the versatility of his skills and the evolution of his personal and professional priorities.