Jeff Bartel is a notable business and civic leader, venture capitalist, board director, philanthropist, and educator, with a passion for giving his time, talent, and resources across various sectors and causes. Jeff has achieved a lot during his accomplished career and has been honored by dozens of organizations, governments, and institutions for his contributions. With a career that began in public service and law, he was a senior executive at Fortune 200 companies and eventually founded his own investment and strategic advisory firm, Hamptons Group. As an educator, Bartel has enjoyed sharing his knowledge and insights during his Masterclasses with Aspire Leaders Program participants.
Guided by Service: Jeff Bartel’s Path to Founding Hamptons Group
Throughout his life and career, Bartel has remained driven by service and giving back. He has led and served on dozens of boards across the private sector, and in governmental, cultural, and educational organizations.
“The importance of serving others is why we exist– It’s in my soul.” he said. “Helping support and lift friends, family, and community is part of being a good citizen-leader.”
Fifteen years ago, Bartel decided to build what is now a multinational investment and advisory firm with global reach, Hamptons Group, specializing in private capital, real estate, and strategic advisory consultancy with offices in Miami, New York, London, and Palo Alto. The firm has assets, investments, partners, and clients across five continents. His purpose for creating his own firm was to be able to set his own firm culture and business thesis – an idea he cherished deeply. He sought to invest in people, properties, projects, and capital positions consistent with corporate best practices, ethical investment principles, social responsibility, sustainability and environmental stewardship, and public integrity.
Teaching with Purpose: Inspiring Leaders Student by Student
Bartel values teaching, mentoring, and helping others create their own leadership journey. He has taught at notable schools such as Harvard University, Duke University, the University of Florida, and the University of Miami. He truly enjoys helping his students – bright, talented, aspiring young professionals – find their path and ethos to create impact and value.
“I find it personally exciting and rewarding to be surrounded by students who are so focused on making a positive social impact and who are trying to make a difference, combining pragmatism and idealism,” Bartel said.
Bartel believes there is no replacement for working hard. “If you are striving, you are on the path to thriving,” Bartel said. He also believes in crafting and carving one’s own purpose and pathways, saying “You can either wait for results, or you can create them.”
He hopes this advice will help all young people and Aspire Leaders Program participants. The other qualities he cites as valuable include agency or self-awareness, resilience, and grit.
“Those of us who believe they are the driver of the car of their life are much more apt to be joyful, successful, and impactful,” he said. “Many believe they are the passenger in a vehicle they do not control. However, a mindset that focuses on personal accountability, agency, and activity allows individuals to see that they do own their future and can pursue their own dreams and passions. The journey, not the destination, is the key.”
Learning from Learners: Bartel’s Takeaways
Bartel has been particularly motivated to create growth conditions for children and young adults. This passion led to his engagement with Aspire Institute.
Through the Aspire Leaders Program and Extended Leadership Programs, young leaders form symbiotic, give-and-take relationships with their peers, mentors, and educators like Bartel who lead Masterclasses on various topics. Bartel appreciated his interactions with the Aspire Leaders Program participants, noting the inspiring wealth of perspective they bring from hundreds of cities, towns, and villages across the globe. He found it inspiring to help these emerging leaders reach their potential and overcome a variety of challenges, but he also enjoyed learning from them.
Bartel looks forward to continuing to serve Aspire Institute and guide young leaders. His advice is to maintain a sense of intention and purpose, continually grow, and think strategically.
“If you have a growth mindset, grit, and a strategic perspective, then you can achieve anything,” Bartel said.
