Jean Case (born 1959) is an American business executive, philanthropist, and author. She is the chair of the board of the Case Foundation, a charitable organization she co‑founded with her husband, Steve Case, the former chairman and CEO of AOL. Case has held leadership positions in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors and is known for her advocacy of social entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and the use of technology to address social challenges.
Early life and education
Jean Case was born in 1959 in the United States. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science from the University of Texas at Austin. She later completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
Career
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AOL: Case began her professional career at America Online (AOL), where she held various managerial roles, including senior director of marketing and senior director of corporate communications. She later served as the senior vice president of marketing for the company’s consumer division.
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Case Foundation: In 1998, Jean and Steve Case established the Case Foundation, initially to support the charitable activities of the Case family. Under her leadership, the foundation has focused on expanding civic engagement, advancing social entrepreneurship, and promoting data‑driven philanthropy. Jean Case serves as chair of the board and has overseen the foundation’s growth into a grant‑making organization that provides funding, strategic support, and thought leadership to nonprofit innovators.
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Board memberships and public service: Case has served on the boards of several organizations, including the National Geographic Society, the University of Texas at Austin, the Partnership for a New American Economy, and the United Nations Foundation. She was appointed by President Barack Obama to the United States Agency for International Development’s Advisory Committee on Development Effectiveness.
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Authorship: In 2013, she co‑authored The Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets That Change the World (with John Elkington), a book examining the impact of social entrepreneurs on global markets.
Philanthropic focus
Jean Case’s philanthropic work emphasizes encouraging individuals—especially young people—to become active participants in civic life. She has championed initiatives such as the Case Prize for Civic Courage and the Civic Accelerator program, which provides resources and mentorship to emerging civic leaders. She also promotes the concept of “pay‑for‑success” financing models that align public and private investment in social outcomes.
Recognition
Case has received multiple honors for her contributions to philanthropy and civic engagement, including the 2016 National Philanthropy Day award for “Outstanding Philanthropist” and the 2018 Women’s Leadership Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Personal life
Jean Case is married to Steve Case, co‑founder of AOL. The couple has two children and resides in Washington, D.C. They are known for their collaborative philanthropic efforts through the Case Foundation.