James Dondero: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

James Dondero’s Profile Summary

Company	Highland Capital
Position	James Dondero co-founded Highland Capital Management in 1993 and served as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Source of wealth	Management and performance fees from Highland Capital's investment strategies, particularly in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs)
Also known as	James Dondero is also known as a philanthropist and business executive in financial services.
Age	Unknown
Education	University of Virginia – Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance
Citizenship	United States
Residence	Dallas, Texas, USA
Family	James Dondero has a sister named Nancy Dondero, who has been involved in business matters with him. No other specific details about his immediate family, such as a spouse or children, are widely available.
Website, Social Media	https://www.highlandcap.com/

James Dondero’s biography

James Dondero is a prominent figure in the alternative investment landscape, with more than 30 years of experience in the field. He co-founded Highland Capital Management in 1993, building it into a well-recognized global investment firm. His work at Highland was groundbreaking, particularly in the areas of credit, real estate, and private equity investments. Before Highland, Dondero managed over $1 billion in fixed income assets for American Express and served as the Chief Investment Officer at Protective Life’s GIC subsidiary, where he helped grow the firm to over $2 billion. He is known for his expertise in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and played a pioneering role in introducing one of the first non-bank CLOs. In addition to his work at Highland, Dondero is also the founder and principal of NexPoint, another alternative investment group specializing in real estate and other sectors. Outside his business ventures, Dondero is an active philanthropist, contributing to education, veterans’ affairs, and economic development in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Virginia and has certifications as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

How did James Dondero make money?

James Dondero makes money in the following areas:

Management and performance fees from Highland Capital's investment strategies, particularly in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs)
What is James Dondero net worth?

As of 2025, there is no publicly available and reliable information regarding James Dondero’s net worth.

What is James Dondero also known as?

James Dondero is recognized for his philanthropic contributions. He has supported numerous causes, particularly in the areas of education, veterans' affairs, and public policy in the Dallas area. He is an active board member of organizations such as the George W. Bush Presidential Center and Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business. Additionally, his leadership extends beyond Highland, with executive roles in several businesses, such as NexPoint Advisors and NexBank, where he serves as Chairman. Dondero is also known for his involvement in healthcare and real estate sectors, reflecting his broad influence in both business and charitable spheres

Prominent achievements of James Dondero

James Dondero has co-founded Highland Capital Management, one of the leading alternative investment firms, and has managed investments across multiple sectors. He is known for pioneering collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and has built a network of businesses in credit, real estate, and private equity. He has been recognized for his contributions to the Dallas community and his philanthropy in education and public policy.

What are James Dondero’s key insights?

James Dondero’s business philosophy centers around expanding access to alternative investments for a broader range of investors. He focuses on innovation in investment strategies, particularly in areas like credit and real estate, emphasizing risk management and long-term value creation. His leadership style prioritizes building integrated investment platforms that can adapt to market changes, and he is a strong advocate for philanthropy, contributing to education, veterans' affairs, and community development.

James Dondero’s personal life

James Dondero’s family includes his sister, Nancy Dondero, who has served as a trustee for family-related trusts, such as the Dugaboy Investment Trust. She has been involved in managing certain legal and financial aspects of their businesses. Details about other family members are limited, with no public information readily available about his marital status or children.

Useful insights

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