Jon Behar

Strategic Advisor at The Life You Can Save

Jon Behar is a strategic advisor at The Life You Can Save, a non-profit organization focused on effective philanthropy and global poverty reduction.1 He has been working with The Life You Can Save since February 2015, initially joining as the Chief Operating Officer and later transitioning to his current role as a strategic advisor in April 2019.1

Professional Background

Behar's career has been marked by a transition from the financial sector to the non-profit world:

Hedge Fund Experience: He spent nearly a decade (July 2001 to December 2010) at Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund, where he worked in various roles including portfolio optimization, risk management, and algorithm design.1
Philanthropy Focus: After his time in finance, Behar shifted his focus to charitable work and effective altruism:
- He served as a board member for GiveWell, a respected charity evaluator, from August 2009 to April 2011.1
- In May 2012, he founded A Path That's Clear, an incubator for running Giving Games, which he later brought to The Life You Can Save.1

Current Role and Responsibilities

At The Life You Can Save, Behar's responsibilities include:

Leading efforts to build out the organization's crypto-philanthropy program.1
Providing strategic advice and oversight for internal programs.1
Conducting independent philanthropic research.1

Education and Philosophy

Behar holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Government from Bowdoin College, where he graduated magna cum laude.1 His professional philosophy emphasizes the importance of allocating capital intelligently, which he now applies to improving the efficiency of charitable donations and promoting effective philanthropy.1

Jon Behar's work reflects a commitment to using data-driven approaches and strategic thinking to maximize the impact of charitable giving and address global poverty.