Leonard H. Lavin

Who is Leonard H. Lavin?

Leonard H. Lavin is an American businessman, racehorse owner/breeder and philanthropist who in 1955 founded the Alberto-Culver Company. He serves as chairman emeritus of the company and is a director of the international manufacturer/distributor of personal care and household/grocery products. Lavin is also a director of Histogen, a regenerative medicine company based in San Diego, California.

Lavin studied at the University of Washington then served in the US Navy for four years. In 1947 he married Bernice Weiser, who went on to become an executive of Alberto-Culver and played an important part in the company's success. Among their philanthropic activities is the Bernice and Leonard H. Lavin Endowed Scholarship for Inner City Chicagoland Students at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, the Lavin VentureStart programs in the Entrepreneurial Management Center at San Diego State University, and the Leonard and Bernice Lavin Entrepreneurial Action Program at the University of Washington.