Henry Merritt "Hank" Paulson Jr., born on March 28, 1946, is a prominent American investment banker and financier. He is best known for his tenure as the seventy-fourth United States Secretary of the Treasury from two thousand six to two thousand nine, during which he served under President George W. Bush.
Before his pivotal role in the Department of the Treasury, Paulson held the esteemed position of chairman and chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment bank. His leadership at Goldman Sachs set the stage for his later contributions to the U.S. economy during a time of significant financial turmoil.
After leaving office on January 20, two thousand nine, Paulson founded the Paulson Institute in two thousand eleven. This organization aims to foster sustainable economic growth and promote environmental stewardship, initially focusing on the United States and China. In addition to his work with the Paulson Institute, he serves as the executive chairman of TPG Rise Climate, furthering his commitment to addressing climate change.