Douglas L. Becker

Douglas L. Becker

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

As chairman and chief executive officer, Douglas Becker has led the transformation of Laureate Education (formerly Sylvan Learning Systems) from a domestic tutoring provider into the world’s leading international higher education company with operations throughout 24 countries. Mr. Becker has served as chairman and CEO of the company since 2000, having previously served as the company’s president and co-CEO.

During his tenure as CEO of Sylvan Learning Systems, Mr. Becker was responsible for growing the company into the undisputed leader in K–12 tutoring with nearly 2,000 learning centers, more than 200,000 students, and the most recognized consumer brand name in education. The K–12 business of the company, now known as Educate, Inc., was sold in 2003 to allow the company to focus all of its energies on postsecondary education, by far its fastest growing line of business. It was in recognition of its new focus on higher education that the company changed its name to Laureate Education, Inc., in 2004.

Today, Laureate Education is a trusted global leader in providing access to high-quality, innovative institutions of higher education to more than 600,000 students through its network of more than 50 campus-based and online institutions in 24 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East —a network known as Laureate International Universities.

Mr. Becker is deeply committed to serving the community. He is the chair of the International Youth Foundation, which works in more than 70 countries to improve conditions and prospects for young people. He has been involved in many nonprofit activities in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, including having served as the founding chairman of Port Discovery Children’s Museum.