Private equity leader’s philanthropic focus transformed by personal experience with neurodegenerative disease
For Jean-Pierre “JP” Conte, a distinguished leader in private equity, philanthropy has taken on a deeply personal dimension following his father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. What began as a deeply personal experience has evolved into a mission to advance scientific understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, culminating in a transformative $5 million gift to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in late 2024.
A Son’s Journey Through His Father’s Diagnosis
JP Conte’s connection to UCSF and Parkinson’s research began when his father, Pierre Conte, received a devastating diagnosis at age 75. Like many families confronting neurodegenerative disease, the Contes’ world changed dramatically as they navigated the complexities of Parkinson’s and sought the best possible care for their loved one.
Determined to secure excellent medical treatment, JP helped his father access care through the VA Medical Center in San Francisco. Despite receiving quality treatment, Pierre Conte’s health gradually declined as the disease progressed, ultimately leading to his passing in 2017. This profound loss marked a turning point in JP’s philanthropic priorities, shifting his focus significantly toward funding research on neurodegenerative diseases.
After his father’s passing, Conte dedicated efforts toward advancing neuroscience research, particularly in areas related to Parkinson’s disease. The experience with his father’s illness created a personal connection to this area of medical research that continues to influence his giving priorities. His determination to support advances in treating neurodegenerative disorders reflects how deeply his father’s battle affected him and his desire to contribute to potential breakthroughs that might help other families facing similar challenges.
From Personal Loss to Philanthropic Purpose
Prior to his father’s illness, JP Conte supported various charitable causes, however, witnessing his father’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease catalyzed a new direction for his giving.
In 2017, following his father’s passing, Conte established the J-P Conte Family Foundation to channel his charitable efforts more strategically. This timing was no coincidence—the foundation’s creation helped focus Conte’s philanthropic vision, increasingly centering on supporting medical research that could help others facing the same challenges his family had endured.
The journey from personal experience to philanthropy is evident in Conte’s substantial commitment to UCSF. In discussing the institution, Conte has noted that “UCSF is an incredible place … with some of the most highly regarded clinician-scientists working to improve treatments for Parkinson’s and other diseases.” His recognition of UCSF’s scientific excellence and leadership in the medical field guided his philanthropic decision to support their neuroscience programs with a significant donation.
A Transformative Gift to Honor Pierre Conte
In November 2024, the JP Conte Family Foundation contributed $5 million to UCSF to establish two professorships in neurology. This substantial gift will fund top clinician-scientists dedicated to researching Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, supporting innovative approaches that could lead to better treatments or potential breakthroughs.
The professorships will be overseen by department chair S. Andrew Josephson, MD. Conte’s admiration for UCSF’s leadership in brain health research is evident in his praise of Dr. Josephson as “such a great ambassador for UCSF” who is “on a mission to find better solutions for brain health.”
By creating these professorships, Conte ensures that his father’s legacy lives on through ongoing scientific inquiry. The professorships represent not just a memorial to Pierre Conte, but a forward-looking investment in helping future patients and families who will face similar challenges.
“Investing in UCSF means empowering the best-equipped players to tackle the most complex problems in health,” Conte has stated, highlighting his strategic approach to giving. This philosophy mirrors his business acumen—as a leader who has built substantial investment portfolios throughout his private equity career, he brings the same focus on excellence and results to his philanthropy.
A Father’s Influence Beyond His Lifetime
The impact of Pierre Conte on his son’s life extends beyond the realm of medical research philanthropy. JP Conte’s business achievements—building successful private equity operations investing in high-quality companies across the United States—reflect the foundation of work ethic and determination that his father likely instilled.
Interestingly, Pierre Conte’s influence can also be seen in JP’s other business ventures. In late 2022, JP Conte joined the board of Eagle Football Holdings LLC, an investment group owning stakes in prominent soccer clubs worldwide. His backing of the Lyon football club deal was specifically made in honor of his late father’s love of the sport, providing another dimension to how a son continues to honor his father’s memory through his professional activities.
These connections illuminate how deeply Pierre Conte’s life continues to shape his son’s decisions, both in business and philanthropy, creating a multifaceted legacy that spans from neuroscience laboratories to international sports arenas.
The Broader Impact of a Personal Mission
While Conte’s $5 million gift to UCSF was motivated by his father’s experience with Parkinson’s disease, its impact will extend far beyond one family’s story. The professorships will contribute to scientific research that could potentially help millions of people worldwide who suffer from neurodegenerative disorders.
This transformation of personal experience into positive action exemplifies how individual philanthropy can address major health challenges. By funding leading researchers at one of the world’s premier medical institutions, Conte maximizes the potential for scientific breakthroughs while creating a meaningful tribute to his father.
The story of JP Conte’s evolving philanthropy also illustrates how personal experience often shapes giving patterns among major philanthropists. What began as a difficult family health journey has evolved into a significant contribution to the fight against Parkinson’s disease, demonstrating how personal motivation often drives the most passionate and substantial charitable commitments.
JP Conte: Career & Background
Jean-Pierre “JP” Conte is an American business executive and philanthropist with over 35 years of experience in private equity leadership. Throughout his career, he has transformed investment operations and built impressive portfolios focused on middle-market growth companies.
Conte earned his undergraduate degree from Colgate University in 1985 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1989. He began his finance career at a bank in New York City before entering the private equity field shortly thereafter, quickly rising into leadership roles.
In March 2025, he launched Lupine Crest Capital, a family office focused on private equity, real estate, and venture investments. Conte described this venture as a continuation of his “life’s work of helping companies achieve their full potential.”
Beyond his business achievements, Conte’s philanthropy extends to other areas, including his work with the Pepperwood Preserve; contributions to “The Bay Lights,” an $8 million public art installation illuminating the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge; and efforts to raise funds for Puerto Rico’s hurricane recovery in 2017.
Through his substantial gift to UCSF’s neurology department, JP Conte has transformed his father’s battle with Parkinson’s disease into a catalyst for scientific progress. By establishing endowed professorships dedicated to advancing our understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, he honors Pierre Conte’s memory while potentially helping countless families who will face similar challenges in the future. This deeply personal philanthropy reflects not just a son’s love for his father, but a strategic vision for contributing to medical breakthroughs that could eventually defeat the disease that took his father’s life.
