Damien Dwin

Chief Executive Officer, Lafayette Square

Damien Dwin is the chief executive officer of Lafayette Square. He founded Lafayette in November 2020 as a model investment platform that deploys services-backed capital to local communities, independent businesses, and diverse investors. Lafayette Square is built for inclusion—here to change the financing paradigm and investing in an American economy worth believing in. Lafayette Square provides a wide range of financial products that create positive impact alongside financial returns. In 2010, Dwin co-founded Brightwood Capital Advisors and served as its co-CEO until October 2020.

Dwin began his career as a trader with Goldman Sachs, New York and London, where he earned the Michael P. Mortara Award for Innovation. He further developed his investment expertise working for Credit Suisse, where he was co-founder and head of the North American Special Opportunities business until 2010. At Credit Suisse, Dwin served on the Vice President Selection Committee and led the Fixed Income Division Credit Training Program.

Dwin is an active thought leader on mass incarceration, economic inclusion, racial justice and representation, and the use of purpose and profit for good. He has written for Entrepreneur and Inc.com. A committed philanthropist, Dwin currently serves as chair of the board of trustees for Vera Institute of Justice. He also serves on the nonprofit boards of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Woodberry Forest School, and the Boys’ Club of New York. Dwin received a B.S./B.A. from Georgetown University, where he later served two terms on the board of regents.