Finding Purpose Beyond the Boardroom: How KKR's Adam Simon Is Reshaping Education Through Board Service

In the high-stakes world of commercial real estate lending, KKR Director Adam Simon navigates complex deals and investment decisions daily. But it's his work outside the office—serving on Teach for America-NY's Associate Board—that he credits with providing some of his most meaningful professional growth.

"There's something uniquely powerful about being passionate about something beyond your day job," Simon explains, leaning forward in his chair during our conversation. "Especially when you're surrounded by diverse, like-minded individuals who bring completely different perspectives to the table."

Simon's journey to board service wasn't always obvious. Despite building an impressive 15-year career in real estate finance since joining KKR in 2015, he hadn't previously considered joining an associate board. "I wasn't actively looking for board opportunities in the past," he admits. "When I finally decided I wanted to get involved with an organization, I felt overwhelmed by the options and the prospect of navigating the process alone."

That's when he discovered CariClub, which helped him filter through numerous nonprofit boards to find an organization addressing challenges he felt passionate about.

‍

‍

The Education Advantage

Simon speaks candidly about the educational advantages that shaped his career trajectory. "I grew up with incredibly supportive parents who valued education and made significant investments in my learning—from kindergarten through high school," he reflects. "Yes, I worked hard and enjoyed school, but I've always been conscious that my efforts were significantly aided by their focus and financial investment."

This foundation enabled him to attend the University of Michigan (where he enthusiastically interjects "Go Blue!" during our conversation) and launch his successful real estate career. But it also instilled in him an acute awareness of educational inequality.

"High-quality education for everyone is something I'm deeply passionate about because I know firsthand how transformative it can be," Simon says. "The fact that not everyone has access to the same educational opportunities has always seemed fundamentally unfair to me."

This passion made Teach For America-NY a natural fit. The organization works to ensure all New Yorkers have access to high-quality neighborhood schools, driven by the belief that future success shouldn't be determined by where or to whom you were born.

Beyond Fundraising: Finding Meaning in Board Service

When discussing his associate board experience, Simon's enthusiasm becomes palpable. Far from being just another networking opportunity or resume builder, he describes board service as providing a genuine sense of purpose.

"We have substantive discussions about the educational landscape and organize events to raise funds for desperately-needed school supplies," he explains. "But the real magic happens when we receive thank you letters from teachers and their students, or when we visit classrooms and witness the difference being made in real-time."

For professionals concerned about the time and financial commitments of board service, Simon offers reassurance. "I didn't have a great understanding of what would be required before joining," he acknowledges. "But the commitment hasn't been overwhelming at all, and I'm happy to give both time and resources when I can."

The Teacher Who Became a Financier

Perhaps the most surprising revelation from our conversation was Simon's lifelong passion for teaching. "If I hadn't chosen this career path, I would have loved to have been a teacher," he shares.

This alternative calling hasn't remained dormant during his finance career. Simon makes a point to mentor junior associates at KKR, and during the recession when work slowed down, he took an unexpected step: "I enrolled to be a substitute teacher at a local nursery school and filled in whenever I could."

Looking toward the future, Simon hasn't abandoned this passion either. "If I'm fortunate enough to retire at a reasonable age, I'd love to teach somewhere," he says, revealing how his board service with Teach for America has helped him maintain a connection to education while building his finance career.

The Triple Win

Simon's experience exemplifies what CariClub refers to as "the triple win" of board service: business impact through enhanced leadership skills, professional growth through real-world governance experience, and personal fulfillment through meaningful community involvement.

"Having the opportunity to be passionate about something outside my day job, and to experience that passion alongside diverse, like-minded individuals—that's incredibly rewarding," he reflects.

For young professionals considering board service, Simon's journey offers a compelling case study in how investing time in causes you care about can enhance rather than detract from career growth, while providing a sense of purpose that transcends professional achievements.