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Mark Johnson ’95

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Mark Johnson is the co-founder and managing partner of Astra Capital Management, a leveraged buyout firm with $300 million in assets under management focused on acquisitions of growth companies in the communications and technology services industries.

Mark has over 20 years of investment experience. He was a member of the U.S. Buyout Fund at the Carlyle Group, serving as a managing director and global partner responsible for the firm’s efforts in the wireless and business services sectors. Prior to Carlyle, Mark worked in private equity at the Blackstone Group, J.H. Whitney, and Merrill Lynch.

Mark received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton and his master’s in business administration from the Harvard Business School. His board experience includes Science Applications International Corp., LOGIX Communications, and Syniverse Technologies. Mark served on the 2008 Obama-Biden presidential transition team. He is currently a trustee of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation and a member of the Princeton’s President’s Advisory Council and the Washington, D.C., Federal City Council.

Events

Startup Showcase

Thursday, October 3

Six exciting startups ranging from commercial ventures to social impact organizations will present. Each startup features a Princeton black alumni founder or member in the C-suite. A panel of judges will select the best presentation and the audience will also vote for the “Audience Choice” winner. Special thanks to the Princeton Entrepreneurship Council for its support and sponsorship of the Startup Showcase, and for the monetary prizes.

Startup Showcase Facilitator:
Dale G. Caldwell ’82, Executive Director, FDU Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Judges:
Kamil Ali-Jackson ’81, Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary, Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
Mark Johnson ’95, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Astra Capital Management
Marilyn Agbeko Narh ’06, Product Management Leader, 98point6
Jim Shepard ’78, Founder and Managing Partner, GenNx360 Capital Partners
Trevor Wilkins ’13, Principal, Quake Capital Partners

Participants:
Amira Karriem Artis ’09, Hiki
Kim Magloire ’84, SciTech STEAM
Bunmi Otegbade *19, ManagerialCapital
Michele Sconiers ’96, SPARE
Gregory Ugwi ’08, Thinknum
Marc Washington ’97, UR Labs