John Hyman M.B.A. ’85: A commitment to leadership and community

When John Hyman stepped up to receive the 2025 Outstanding Alumni Award during the recent MBA Reunion Weekend, it wasn’t just a moment of recognition. It was about recognizing a lifelong connection to William & Mary and a leadership style defined by humility, integrity, and a sharp sense of humor.

As Partner and Head of Investment Management at Cerity Partners in New York, Hyman’s firm oversees $125 billion in assets for high-net-worth individuals, endowments, and foundations. With nearly four decades in financial services, his experience spans top firms like Bear Stearns, J.P. Morgan, and Oppenheimer & Co. But behind the titles and numbers is someone who never forgot where he started—and who never lost sight of what leadership should look like.

Hyman grew up in New Haven, Connecticut, which he fondly—and wryly—describes as “God’s country,” thanks in part to its legendary pizza. Professionally speaking, his family was steeped in finance and law, so naturally, those were the paths expected of him.

“It was the last thing I wanted to do because it was all I saw,” he said.

Yet, a twist of fate during his time as a graduate student at William & Mary—a well-timed independent study and a few helpful alumni connections—put him on the fast track to Wall Street, landing him several job offers and a career he didn’t initially plan for but quickly embraced.

Early on, Hyman joined Drexel Burnham as an investment banker, chasing the high-octane world of Wall Street that many of his peers admired. But he soon realized that while he loved the environment, he didn’t love the work. “The hours were terrible, but the pay was seductive,” he explained.

His real passion emerged when he shifted to investment management consulting, a field where he could engage directly with clients and ideas, and where he’s made his mark ever since.

Hyman’s career evolved from large investment banks to his current role at Cerity Partners, where is focused on investment strategy and merger integration and, just as importantly, invests in people. Mentorship is a core part of what drives him.

“If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing now, I’d probably be teaching,” he said. “Helping young professionals grow, whether they stay with us or move on, is critical.”

He’s known for an open-door policy that’s more than just talk; he works on an open floor surrounded by colleagues of all levels, encouraging questions, curiosity, and fresh thinking.

“We want our younger team members to challenge the status quo and tell us what they think,” Hyman said. “They may not always be right, or we may not always agree, but that’s how they learn—and how we get better.”

Leadership to Hyman isn’t about hierarchy, it’s about collaboration. He’s as involved in day-to-day problem solving as any junior analyst. “Maybe not the same volume, but enough to keep me in touch with what’s going on,” he shared.

This hands-on style is approachable, candid, and rooted in experience—some of it hard-earned. “I’ve probably learned more from really bad bosses than good ones,” he admitted. “You figure out what not to do. That sticks.”

Principled leadership, a core tenant of the business school experience across all programs, is something Hyman doesn’t just talk about; he lives it.

One early and defining example came when two female management executives on his team requested to work remotely and part-time after returning from maternity leave. Thirty years ago, this was still a progressive concept in many corporate settings. Though the decision drew criticism from senior leadership, Hyman stood by them.

“Doing the right thing by your people and keeping them engaged goes a long way,” he said.

His view of leadership is shaped by real-world challenges and a belief that ethics and business success aren’t mutually exclusive. “We’re supposed to be fiduciaries,” he explained. “That means doing what’s right, not just what’s easy or profitable.”

That sense of responsibility extends to his ongoing relationship with William & Mary. “The [Mason School] has been very good to me,” he said, crediting his MBA experience with launching his career and introducing him to his wife during a summer internship with a William & Mary professor in New York.

Today, he serves as Vice Chairman of the Business School Foundation Board’s Investment Committee, helping manage a portfolio north of $100 million, and continues to engage with students and alumni through hiring, mentorship, and events like “Dog Street to Wall Street.”

“The MBAs are incredibly high caliber—very engaged and not afraid to roll up their sleeves,” he said.

Kim Sperling, the Mason School Associate Dean for Advancement who introduced John at the award ceremony, highlighted a defining story about Hyman’s leadership during his tenure as a CEO of a Connecticut-based investment advisory firm. Each morning he had a nearly full car, driving the team’s younger cohort to work from New York City to Connecticut himself. “Can you imagine being that 25-year-old and the CEO is picking you up for your commute?” she asked. “That’s the kind of guy John is.”

That simple story speaks volumes. For Hyman, leadership isn’t about titles or accolades. It’s about showing up, doing the right thing, and making sure others have the opportunity to succeed. His impact at William & Mary and the Mason School is a testament to that, and his legacy is one of principled achievement, grounded in community and care.