Michael Garrett

Michael Garrett is a seasoned legal and business advisor with diverse global financial services, corporate, nonprofit, consulting and coaching experience. After earning his BA, MBA and JD degrees at Columbia, Michael received his basic training in corporate and international legal practice as an associate with prominent law firms in NYC. He then served for many years as a partner and Associate General Counsel of Coopers & Lybrand.

He then became General Counsel of the global investments division of the Swiss Reinsurance Company. In the wake of September 11th, Michael created, managed and grew one of the most successful nonprofit initiatives to benefit family survivors of the attack victims, The Gift of New York, sponsored by the Bronfman and Tisch families.

Returning to legal matters, Michael served as General Counsel in Residence of a 700-lawyer national law firm. Currently, Michael is almost retired, but still functions as a coach, business and nonprofit strategy advisor, and board member. He enjoys piano, photography, fine carpentry, lion collecting, concerts and theatre, and intensive grand-parenting.

Michael is also an active and dedicated Columbia alumnus, having served as, among other things, Executive Mentor in the Business School and a founder and President of Columbia Alumni Singers.