The Einstein community lost an ardent leader and steadfast friend with the passing of Ira Millstein, who served on Einstein’s Board of Trustees starting in 1977, including terms as chair and secretary. Mr. Millstein died on March 13, 2024, at age 97.
A renowned expert in corporate governance and a senior partner at the international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges, Mr. Millstein lent his expertise as co-chair of the Einstein Board’s legal and compliance committees. His guidance was particularly helpful in Einstein’s transition from control by Yeshiva University to Montefiore in 2015, which ultimately led to the College of Medicine receiving full independent accreditation.
Mr. Millstein was also a valued member of the Board’s executive committee, and a strong supporter of Einstein’s Men’s Division and the Michael F. Price Center for Genetic and Translational Medicine.
At Einstein and Montefiore’s gala in 2017, at which he was honored, Mr. Millstein described New York during the Great Depression as “tough and hard and vigorous and competitive.” He was educated in the public school system, including at the Bronx High School of Science, before going on to earn a bachelor’s degree from the Columbia School of Engineering and a law degree from Columbia Law School.
In addition to actively practicing law, Mr. Millstein was an academic. His various positions included serving as a senior associate dean for corporate governance and the Theodore Nierenberg Adjunct Professor of Corporate Governance at the Yale School of Management; an adjunct professor at New York University School of Law; an adjunct professor and founding chair of the Millstein Center for Global Markets and Corporate Ownership at Columbia Law School; and an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School.
Mr. Millstein also had an impressive track record in public service. Former New York governor George Pataki appointed him chair of the New York State Commission on Public Authority Reform, which led to the 2009 Public Authorities Reform Act. At the request of Govs. Pataki, Paterson, and Cuomo, he also chaired various task forces.
His commitment to community service was clearly reflected in his more than four decades of service to the College of Medicine. His candor, kindness, and generosity will truly be missed.
