New to the Board
Jim was previously European head of Lehman Brothers Global Real Estate Group for EMEA. In this role, he oversaw Lehman Brothers European on-balance sheet real estate activities including commercial mortgage and mezzanine lending. At Lehman Brothers, he served on its European Operating Committee, European Fixed Income Executive Committee as well as its Global Fixed Income Operating Committee.
Prior to coming to London, Jim worked at Lehman Brothers in New York where he originated and structured mortgage loans and CMBS transactions. Prior to joining Lehman Brothers, he was an attorney at Thacher Proffitt and Wood (New York) where he practiced real estate and securities law.
Jim is a trustee of the Prince’s Regeneration Trust. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute and the Commercial Real Estate Finance Council. He is a leader and supporter of a number of London based charities and community groups.
Jim holds a BA in history from Lewis & Clark College and a JD from New York University. He is married to Grace E. Hackmeier BA ’91 who also received her degree in history. Jim and Grace are the owners of Whitetop Capital LLP, a business services firm registered in England and Wales. In the 1990s, Grace worked as a research associate and as a fundraiser in the development department of the New York Public Library. She has served on the Lewis & Clark Global Advisory Board since November 2020.
Jim and Grace have three children: Eliza, Henry, and Annabelle. They also spend time at their secondary home in Lake Tahoe, California.
Andre has over 25 years of experience in the areas of medical professional liability where he had successes as an “intreprenuer” with several carriers: Zurich, CNA, The Doctors Company and NORCAL. He developed several successful products and relationships as well as drove profitable growth by expanding past and current companies into more states.
Andre is a strong believer of giving back to the community. He currently serves on the following committees: City of Benicia Human Services Board, Sutter Healthcare System patient family advisor, Solano Community College bond oversight committee, and Benicia Black Lives Matter. In the past he has also served as a school board trustee (12 years), as well as on various other city and county commissions.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance (minors in Sociology and Economics) from Northern Illinois University and a Masters of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School. He has also completed post graduate work at U.C. Berkeley Haas School of Business in Strategy, leadership, and marketing.