Board Members
Mr. Donald L. Bren
Elected 1983
Donald Bren, chairman of the Irvine Company, has been deeply involved in California real estate as a master planner, master builder, and long-term investor for more than 50 years.
As a community entrepreneur, Bren focuses his charitable contributions on land preservation, education, and scientific research. Businessweek has estimated that he has given at more than $1.4 billion. Bren has led the Irvine Company to set aside 57,500 acres, more than half of the original 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch, as public open space and parklands in perpetuity. He has made significant contributions to public schools and endowed 62 chairs for distinguished professors and researchers at universities and research institutions.
Born in Los Angeles, Bren earned a business administration and economics degree from the University of Washington.
He served for three years as a U.S. Marine Corps officer.
Previous Committees: Executive; Buildings and Grounds, chair; Business and Finance