St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of the poor, encouraged his
followers to "Say little; do much." Consistent with Vincent’s
words, William J. Janetschek, Jr. ’84CBA helps others, without
fanfare or recognition, simply because, for him, it’s the right
thing to do.
Spirit of Service Award Video Presentation
Janetschek came to this realization early. His father graduated
from St. John’s University in 1963, which meant that the Vincentian
ideals of caring and concern for others were an important part of
his family values. When it was time for Janetschek to select a
college, he followed in his father’s footsteps and came to St.
John’s, where he graduated cum laude from the College of Business
Administration in 1984.
Following graduation he began his career as a Staff Accountant
in the Tax Department at Deloitte and Touche LLP. After 13 years at
the firm, during which he was promoted to Tax Partner, he moved on
to Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Company, where he currently serves
as Chief Financial Officer and Partner.
This loyal and devoted alumnus continues to embrace the
Vincentian values he learned as a child. He is particularly
committed to providing educational opportunities directly to young
people who are growing up in families burdened by financial
hardship. Recognizing the special nature of a Catholic education,
he quietly sponsors 10 children each year to attend St. Catherine
of Sienna Elementary School in Franklin Square, NY, the parish
school that he attended as a boy. He also provides a yearly
sponsorship for five children to attend a Catholic high school in
New York City, and every year assumes full tuition expenses for
five students to pursue higher education at colleges and
universities across the country.
A member of both The Loughlin Society and The Founders Society,
he has done much to support the University that means so much to
him, On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of his graduation from
St. John’s in 2004, he generously established the William J.
Janetschek, Sr. ’63CBA Scholarship Fund at the University in honor
of his father and, three years later, endowed the William J.
Janetschek Vincentian Scholars Scholarship to assist an
academically qualified and deserving senior student at St.
John’s.
In 2009, a grateful University presented him with the Alumni
Outstanding Achievement Award. One year later, he proudly watched
as a townhouse in The Founders Village was named Janetschek House,
a lasting tribute from a devoted son to his esteemed father.