Our Founder
William J. Ruane

Bill Ruane was a phenomenally successful career man and an even more remarkable human being. Born in 1925, Bill grew up in a middleclass neighborhood in Chicago where he attended Catholic schools and was an average student. He went on to create and manage the Sequoia Fund, one of the most consistently high-performing investment funds on Wall Street. Bill approached his philanthropic work with the same keen intelligence, meticulous attention to detail, concern for others, and wonderfully easygoing humor that he brought to the business world. Particularly interested in identifying and treating mental illness and righting educational inequities in this country, he was passionate about the thousands of children that his programs impacted. He was generous both in his financial giving and in his immense level of personal involvement with his philanthropic initiatives.

Through his spirited leadership and guidance, the Carmel Hill Fund Education Program became a unified, tireless team. Though Bill passed away in 2005, his legacy continues to inspire our work. We proudly strive to realize his vision of changing the educational road traveled by all children in this country.