In Memoriam: Stephen C. Swid (1940-2019)

News | October 11, 2019

The EastWest Institute respectfully acknowledges the passing of Stephen Swid, a respected international investor, businessman and philanthropist. Mr. Swid died on April 7, 2019 at the age of 78.

“It was an absolute privilege and delight to know and work with Stephen over many years,” commented Karen Mroz, Board Member of the EastWest Institute. “Stephen was an active contributor to the work of the Institute and advocate of its activities around the globe. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Nan, and his children: Scott, Jill and Robin.”

Mr. Swid was a member of the EastWest Institute Board of Directors from 1986 through 1995. 

Stephen Swid was born in New York in 1940 and developed a long standing career as a successful business entrepreneur with investments in Sesac and SBK, Spin magazine and the Cinecom Entertainment Group. He is widely recognized for transforming Sesac into an influential leader in the music industry. He served as chairman and chief executive of the privately held company from 1992 until 2013.

An avid supporter of the arts, Mr. Swid also served as the chairman of the Municipal Arts Society and was on the board of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

He is survived by his wife Nan, his son, Scott, his two daughters, Robin Swid and Jill Rosen, and his eight grandchildren.