Hamilton Medal Will Go To Lisa L. Carnoy ’89

The 2018 Alexander Hamilton Medal will be presented to Lisa L. Carnoy ’89, chief financial officer for AlixPartners and a supporter and leader of the College and University for three decades. She is the first female medalist in the award’s 71-year history.

The medal, given annually in November at the Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner, is the highest honor awarded to a member of the College community. Presented by the Columbia College Alumni Association, Dean James J. Valentini and President Lee C. Bollinger, it recognizes distinguished service to the College and accomplishment in any field of endeavor.

A role model, advisor and benefactor to many, Carnoy has been a member of the University’s Board of Trustees since 2010 and is currently co-chair, with Jonathan S. Lavine ’88, after having served on the College’s Board of Visitors for four terms and being vice-chair from 2008 to 2010. She has supported the College, Athletics, and Arts and Sciences, and endowed the Carnoy Family Program Chair for Contemporary Civilization at the College as well as the Norman J. Landau Scholarship Fund, the latter with her mother, Marjorie Hirshberg. Carnoy currently co-chairs both the College’s Core to Commencement campaign and the University’s Columbia Commitment campaign.

Carnoy majored in American studies and history and graduated cum laude. She earned an M.B.A. from Harvard in 1994. A student-athlete in track and field, she is a member of the Columbia Campaign for Athletics Leadership Committee and a founding member of the Women’s Leadership Council for Athletics. Carnoy was named among the 25 most influential women for the 25th anniversary of the Columbia-Barnard Athletic Consortium, and Women in Science at Columbia named a leadership award in her honor. In 2000, Carnoy was awarded an Alumni Medal, for service of 10 years or more to the University, and in 2007 was presented a John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement.

Prior to joining global consulting firm AlixPartners in 2018, Carnoy spent 23 years at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, most recently as division executive for U.S. Trust, the private bank within Bank of America, and as BoA’s New York City market president. She was on the Global Wealth and Investment Management leadership team, as well as on BoA’s Operating Committee.

Carnoy has been a passionate advocate for diversity and co-founded several organizations, including the Women’s Leadership Council at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. She is an independent director of the U.S. Soccer Federation and sits on the boards of the United Way of New York City and Rodeph Sholom School. Carnoy has been named to American Banker’s list of “Most Powerful Women in Finance,” and in 2013 was presented the Merit Award from the Women’s Bond Club.

This year’s Alexander Hamilton Award Dinner will take place in Low Rotunda on Thursday, November 15. Proceeds from the black-tie event directly benefit College students by supporting the priorities of the College, including financial aid, student life and community.