Michael J. Leffell is the founder of Portage Partners, a privately held company focused on alternative asset investments. He is chairman of Canoe Software, a fintech company leading the charge against manual data entry for alternative investments, and the chairman of 10East, a fintech platform designed to enable easy access to alternative asset investment opportunities. Michael was previously a director of Cineworld USA, the PGE Corporation, and Genco Shipping.

Until his retirement in 2010, Michael was the deputy executive managing member of Davidson Kempner Capital Management, an event-driven, multistrategy hedge fund. While at the firm, Michael also co-managed the Distressed Securities investment strategy for 20 years. With his guidance, the firm evolved from having $20 million under management to $12 billion, with over 150 employees in New York and London on his retirement.

Prior to joining Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Michael was a litigation associate in the New York law firm of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays & Handler.

In 1999, Michael and his wife, Lisa, established The Lisa and Michael Leffell Foundation, dedicated to Jewish education and strengthening security and vibrancy of the State of Israel. Michael is president emeritus of the board of trustees at the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester (The Leffell School), chairman of Commentary Magazine, a trustee of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, and a Wexner Heritage Fellow.

Michael received his J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1984, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and earned a B.A., magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Clark University, in 1981, where he was awarded the H. Donaldson Jordan Prize in History.

Michael lives in Westchester, New York, with his wife, Lisa. They have four children: Benjamin (Julie), Adam (Jenn), Lauren, and Ari. They also have seven grandchildren: Nellie, Jack, Leo, Andi, Rosie, Archie, and Nora.

Westchester Business & Professional Division Finance & Restructuring: A Business Dialogue

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

place Hampshire Country Club, 1025 Cove Road, Mamaroneck, NY, 10543

Hampshire Country Club, 1025 Cove Road, Mamaroneck, NY, 10543