Sonia Gardner, a Moroccan-born financial powerhouse, immigrated to the United States at the age of four. Raised in Connecticut, she pursued higher education at Clark University, earning a BA in philosophy with honors, and later obtained a JD from Cardozo School of Law. Her background in philosophy, which she credits for honing her logical thinking and critical analysis skills, played a pivotal role in shaping her approach to life and investing.
Gardner's finance career began as a senior attorney specializing in bankruptcy and corporate reorganization. She later partnered with her brother, Marc Lasry, to co-found a debt brokerage firm, eventually leading to the launch of Avenue Capital Group in 1995. As president and managing partner, she helped grow the firm into a global investment giant managing approximately $12.3 billion in assets.
Her influence extends beyond finance. In 2008, Gardner was honored with the Industry Leadership Award from 100 Women in Finance, where she now serves on the board of a 30,000-member global network. She also made history as the first United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) Goodwill Ambassador for Gender Equality in Access to Finance. Her advocacy centers on empowering women with access to economic resources, enabling them to build businesses and uplift their families from poverty.
Sonia Gardner’s career is a testament to resilience, leadership, and a commitment to social change, earning her a reputation as one of Wall Street's most influential women
2024 Great Immigrants:Sonia Gardner Cofounder, Avenue Capital Group