Michael Perelstein, adjunct professor of finance and economics at Columbia Business School, died Saturday, March 17.
In 2004, Perelstein left a long career in international finance to teach at the School. He began his career in Chicago as the international strategist with Brinson Partners and as an international economist with First Chicago. Later, Perelstein was chief investment officer for a long/short international hedge fund sponsored by Paloma Partners, the multi-strategy fund based in Greenwich, CT.
Perelstein also co-financed new ventures in the private education market in Manhattan and managed the flagship international funds for American Century Investments and for MacKay Shields in New York. In London, he was head of international equities for Schroders, managing portfolios totaling $12 billion.
“We were honored to have such an experienced professional work with our students,” said Dean Glenn Hubbard. “Michael had more than 20 years of leadership experience in alternative and international portfolio management at top-tier investment firms in the United States and Europe.”
At the School, Perelstein taught the courses International Portfolio Management and Hedge Fund and Alternative Investing. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Brandeis University in 1976 and an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1986.
Perelstein is survived by his wife of 33 years, Liz, and children, Sarah and Daniel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
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