Q&A with David Javdan '86, New Alumni Association President

Q&A with David Javdan '86, New Alumni Association President

You are students for a few years. Alumni forever. The main goal of my time in this role is to make being a Choate alum an active part of who you are, not a way of describing who you used to be.

BULLETIN: Tell us a bit about yourself and your path since graduating from Choate Rosemary Hall. What drew you to a career at the intersection of law, public service, and business?

DAVID JAVDAN: I was born in Iran and immigrated to the U.S. as a baby. My siblings, one of whom is my brother Ray Javdan ’89, and I were always taught that everything can be taken from you except your education and relationships. Our parents instilled this value in us. During the Iranian revolution, we probably had around 200 people stay with us at some point — right in our home in rural upstate New York. They all should have been crushed, but somehow most not only survived but thrived. There was a profound sense of loss and disconnection, which led many of us to engage in charitable work as a way to rebuild purpose and connection.

My career has taken a lot of interesting turns, mostly because every time I was asked to serve, I said yes, even if it was inconvenient or if I was not good at it. Many people think pro bono or volunteer work, charity, etc., is a distraction. In truth, it made my career.

When I was a young lawyer, a senior partner — himself a Holocaust survivor — asked me to assist a polarizing U.S. Senator with pro bono work aimed at securing justice for Holocaust survivors. I accepted, despite disagreeing with the Senator on many issues. On this cause, he empowered me to do the right thing.

That experience led to representing the Jewish Community of Austria in Holocaust restitution cases. We won a 6–3 decision in the U.S. Supreme Court, secured a multi-billiondollar settlement, and inspired a movie starring Ryan Reynolds and Helen Mirren. That, in turn, opened doors: I led Jewish outreach for a Presidential campaign and, at 33, became General Counsel of a federal financial agency overseeing 450 people — at a 90 percent pay cut my father begged me not to take.

When it was time to move on, I nearly returned to law — the safe path — but being a Choatie, I figured I could take a risk. I turned down a DOJ job and joined a scrappy turnaround firm where Ivy League credentials were almost a liability. A year later, Lehman Brothers collapsed. We stepped in to run it. Nineteen years on, the firm has grown from 500 to 12,000 professionals, nearly all organically. It’s been an extraordinary journey — one built on taking the road less traveled.

There are countless stories like this. I’ve accepted appointments from both political parties. I’ve served pro bono as General Counsel for what became the nation’s largest college suicide prevention nonprofit and served on boards of adoption and refugee organizations. Many colleagues dismissed this work as distractions — but it’s shaped who I am today.

BULLETIN: What’s one lesson or value from your time at Choate that has stayed with you throughout your career?

DAVID JAVDAN: Just show up. Any success I’ve had comes from saying yes to the opportunities in front of me. Some of the most life-changing roles I’ve taken on were ones others passed up.

BULLETIN: What motivated you to get involved with the Alumni Association?

DAVID JAVDAN: Two things. First, a friend asked me to get involved. I kinda rolled my eyes, but I said yes — for him. Then I ended up loving it — and kept doing it for me.

The second was my kids. They started asking about my time at Choate, and it made me reflect. It brought back all these memories I hadn’t really thought about — how unique and formative the experience was. It felt like unlocking a major suppressed memory. Looking back, I was just like, “Wow.”

That reflection made me more open when my friend asked.

So now, I’m the one asking — get involved! We’re here to serve you.

BULLETIN: Why do you think it’s meaningful for alumni to stay connected to Choate?

DAVID JAVDAN: I always say the greatest gift is the gift of each other. It may seem trite but in the end it’s people who make the world go round. And our alumni are such a gift. Where else would you get such a wide diversity of experience and expertise? And we all have such a unique shared background to connect us. Very few people have this shared experience. It’s a gift to connect and see how Choate has impacted others and by doing so, see how it impacted — and continues to impact — us.

BULLETIN: What would you say to a fellow graduate who is curious about reconnecting with the School but hasn’t yet found a way to engage?

DAVID JAVDAN: Be the spark. Don’t wait for us to reach out — you are the Alumni Association. Want to host a Choate event? Reach out — we can help you make it happen. Planning something that isn’t strictly Choate but want to include Choate alumni? Let’s do it. The Association isn’t here to hand out assignments; it’s a resource for you. And if it’s your Reunion — or even close to your year — just come. You will be amazed.

BULLETIN: What role do you think alumni play in shaping Choate’s future?

DAVID JAVDAN: Alumni play a vital role. For any institution to thrive, it must evolve — and that evolution is strongest when it’s shaped by people who care deeply about the place. As alumni, we bring perspective, experience, and commitment.

You’re students for a few years, but alumni for life. My goal in this role is to make being a Choate alum an active, meaningful part of who you are — not just a way of describing who you used to be.

Only alumni can truly bring that concept to life. There is so much to be gained by remaining connected to Choate and to the broader alumni community. The School can support us, but it can’t do it for us. By strengthening our alumni network, we increase the value of a Choate education — for ourselves and for future generations.

In a world of constant growth, recent grads offer fresh insight, while more seasoned alumni bring long-view perspective. We need both. Share your vision — there’s always an open door. You can reach me at aaec@choate.edu.