Ed Hajim’s Unlikely Journey From Orphanage to Boardroom

Ed Hajim’s life story reads less like a conventional business biography than an account of how an uncertain beginning can lead somewhere entirely unexpected. At three years old, Hajim was taken by his father from St. Louis to Los Angeles and subsequently spent much of his childhood moving through foster homes and orphanages. He eventually found his way to the University of Rochester, served as a U.S. Navy officer, earned an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School and went on to build a prominent career in finance.

His professional career included senior positions at E.F. Hutton and Lehman Brothers, followed by leadership of Furman Selz, where he served as chairman and CEO. His career in finance eventually became only one part of a much larger legacy. Hajim became deeply involved in higher education and philanthropy, serving for decades as a trustee of the University of Rochester and as chairman of its board from 2008 to 2016.

Education has been a particularly important thread throughout Hajim’s life. His own access to higher education helped redirect the trajectory of his life, and his philanthropy has focused heavily on creating opportunities for others. In 2008, he made a $30 million commitment to the University of Rochester, supporting scholarships and helping establish what became the Edmund A. Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. He and his wife, Barbara, have also supported more than 200 scholarships for Rochester students.

Hajim eventually put his personal history on paper in On the Road Less Traveled: An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom, published in 2021. Written with Glenn Plaskin, the memoir examines his childhood, education, military service and rise through the financial world while also exploring the family history that shaped his understanding of himself.

But Hajim’s thinking did not stop with his memoir. In 2023, he published The Island of the Four Ps: A Modern Fable about Preparing for Your Future. Rather than presenting another traditional business guide, Hajim uses a fable to explore four elements he believes are important when navigating life: passions, principles, partners and plans. The book grew out of ideas he had been discussing with family members, colleagues and students for years.

That focus reflects the broader evolution of Hajim’s public work. His story is certainly about professional achievement, but it is also about the decisions and relationships that make achievement meaningful. His experiences have given him a distinctive perspective on education, career development, leadership and the transition between different stages of life.

His connection to students has remained especially significant. During a 2024 campus visit, Hajim spoke with students about education, careers and the difference between learning how to make a living and learning how to make a life. His books have also been incorporated into student professional-development programs, giving younger readers an opportunity to consider his experiences alongside their own decisions about the future.

Hajim’s journey has also earned recognition beyond the institutions with which he has been closely associated. In 2015, he received the Horatio Alger Award, which honors individuals who have achieved success despite significant personal adversity.

Today, Hajim’s story offers something broader than a traditional account of Wall Street success. It is a story about the unpredictable routes a life can take, the role education can play in opening doors, and the responsibility that can come with eventually having the ability to open those doors for others.