With a Net Worth of $27.6 Billion, Jeff Yass is the Wealthiest Individual in Pennsylvania

In 2024, Jeff Yass holds the title of Pennsylvania’s wealthiest individual, boasting an impressive net worth of $27.6 billion. A co-founder of Susquehanna International Group (SIG), Yass’s success in trading and investments, particularly his significant stake in ByteDance—the parent company of TikTok—has cemented his status in the financial world.

Yass’s journey from professional gambler to financial powerhouse is a testament to his sharp intellect and innovative trading strategies. With SIG, founded in 1987 alongside college friends, Yass developed a firm recognized globally for its options trading and market-making prowess. The company’s distinct recruitment and training methods, including the use of poker tournaments to enhance decision-making, have been key to its success. In addition to trading, SIG has expanded its portfolio with strategic investments in private companies, such as ByteDance, which stands as one of its most valuable assets.

Born in 1958, Yass grew up in Queens, New York City. His father, Gerald Yass, contributed significantly to SIG’s early operations by managing the back-office bookkeeping in the 1990s. Yass’s academic journey saw him attend public schools in Queens before earning a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics from Binghamton University.

Jeff Yass’s wife, Janine Coslett, has been a steadfast supporter throughout his career. The couple, who met in their youth, have four children and reside in Haverford, Pennsylvania. Their shared passion for education reform has driven them to donate tens of millions of dollars towards school choice initiatives, which aim to empower parents with greater control over their children’s education. Janine Yass has been particularly vocal, writing in favor of policies supporting school choice.

The Yass family’s philanthropy extends beyond education. Following the September 11 attacks, they contributed to a charitable fund for victims established by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Their charitable endeavors include support for organizations like Save the Children, the People’s Emergency Center Families First building, and the Franklin Institute’s Franklin Family Funfest Committee. These efforts highlight their dedication to improving lives and strengthening communities.

Recognizing the necessity for innovation in education, especially during the pandemic, Jeff and Janine Yass founded the Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless (STOP) education. This initiative seeks to discover and support unconventional education models poised to revolutionize student learning.

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