How JP Conte’s Leadership Transforms Education for Students

JP Conte is no stranger to the transformative power of education. As a first-generation college graduate himself, he has channeled his success in business into a mission to open doors for students who, like him, are the first in their families to pursue higher education. Through his philanthropic endeavors, particularly the Conte First Generation Fund and partnerships with organizations like Sponsors for Educational Opportunity and 10,000 Degrees, Conte is reshaping the narrative for similar students and creating pathways to opportunity.

Conte’s upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, and New Jersey provided a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by families striving for a better future. His father, Pierre, escaped war-torn Lyon, France, while his mother, Isabel, left Cuba to build a new life in the United States. “I grew up in a modest household that had big dreams and big aspirations, but we didn’t have a lot of resources,” Conte shares​.

For JP Conte, education became the key to unlocking the American dream. A graduate of Colgate University and Harvard Business School, he has carried the values of hard work and ambition into every facet of his life. These values drive his philanthropic work, particularly his focus on education. “My dad came to the United States and he didn’t go to college,” Conte says. “But he always had a dream of his kids going to college and becoming anything they wanted to be.”

Transforming College for First-Gen Students

JP Conte’s efforts to support students began at his alma mater, Colgate University. “When I was at Colgate, less than 5% of the population were first-gen students like me. I want to make sure those students are starting off from a place where they will succeed,” he explains​.

Through the Conte First Generation Fund, he has expanded opportunities for first-gen students not only at Colgate, but also at 10 other universities. These efforts include providing scholarships, mentorship programs, and resources to help students navigate the unique challenges of being the first in their families to attend college. “It’s about closing the information gap and giving these students the support they need to succeed,” Conte notes​​.

His approach to educational philanthropy is far from passive. Conte engages directly with universities to ensure they prioritize first-generation initiatives. “I interviewed each school, visited each school, and learned that some of the schools were really good at it, good at providing resources, attracting that talent, and even mentoring that talent while they were at school. So they had the resources and the focus to do it. And other schools didn’t. They were either too small, didn’t have the resources, or both, and sometimes schools didn’t have the talent or the conviction to do it,” he says. This hands-on strategy allowed him to identify and amplify the perfect programs.

JP Conte: Supporting Students Before College

But JP Conte soon realized that he could do more good by engaging students at an earlier age, which led him to partner with organizations like Sponsors for Educational Opportunity and 10,000 Degrees. These programs focus on mentoring and preparing students for college, beginning as early as eighth grade. He recalls, “A light went off, and I said, ‘By the time the student gets to university, especially some of these universities, they’re now focused on … the money issue.’

“And I came to the conclusion that I need to start sooner, in high school or earlier, to really help change the trajectory.”

Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, for example, provides after-school programs, Saturday classes, and summer sessions to supplement public school education. Conte has been a long-time supporter, offering not only funding but also internships through his private equity firm. “I go to New York every year to give a presentation about private equity to SEO students, showing them that they, too, can have a future in this industry,” he shares​.

Bringing a Business Mindset to Philanthropy

Conte’s business background has deeply influenced his approach to building educational opportunities. As the chairman of a private equity firm, he has honed a mindset that prioritizes efficiency and impact. He applies this same ethos to his philanthropic work, particularly when it comes to leadership within nonprofit organizations.

Conte’s recommendation to bring in a new leader to SEO resulted in a dramatic expansion of the organization’s reach. “We multiplied the number of students served in the Bay Area by five to seven times,” he shares.

Conte’s hands-on involvement and insistence on measurable outcomes have made him a standout leader in the nonprofit space. “A lot of nonprofits aren’t run crisply,” he says, noting he looks at them like a business — and that’s how he creates meaningful change.

JP Conte’s Legacy of Opportunity

For Conte, the impact of his work goes beyond numbers. It’s about instilling ambition in students who are striving to achieve the American dream. His initiatives are about more than just providing resources; they’re about inspiring students to dream big and helping them believe those dreams are achievable​.

The ripple effects are undeniable. By investing in students’ futures, Conte is also investing in the future of America. As first-gen students graduate and pursue careers, they often continue as mentors, advocates, and role models, creating a cycle of talent and excellence.

JP Conte’s work exemplifies the transformative power of leadership. His commitment to first-generation students reflects his broader belief in the potential of every student to excel. “I’ve always felt the need to give back,” he says.

Through initiatives like the Conte First Generation Fund, and partnerships with organizations like Sponsors for Educational Opportunity and 10,000 Degrees, Conte is paving the way for excellence in American education. His story is a powerful reminder that education is a bridge to a better world.