The Mark Leiter
Save The Music
Endowment Fund
Supporting Access to Music Education for Future
Generations through the Save The Music Foundation
Music was woven throughout Mark’s life. It was a source of joy, creativity, connection, and expression. Through The Mark Leiter Save The Music Endowment Fund, his love of music and his belief in the important role it can play in people’s lives will continue to create opportunities for future generations of students and young musicians.
Mark’s Legacy of Leadership and Impact
Many of us remember Mark as one of America’s top corporate strategists, a thought leader who could decipher any problem, no matter its complexity, and a generous colleague who always made time to share his insights, advice, and concern.
Mark was all of these things and more. He was intellectually curious, with broad interests and talents that extended far beyond his professional accomplishments. Music, in particular, was a constant presence in his life as a listener, performer, and philanthropist.
He was an accomplished saxophone player who also enjoyed playing guitar, piano, and even drums. He absolutely loved jazz and the way it reflected the improvisation that life itself often requires.
Music was not simply a hobby for Mark; he always saw himself as a musician, and that identity shaped how he connected with the world and with other people. He served for six years on the board of the Save The Music Foundation, reinforcing his belief that others should have the opportunity to experience the joy, meaning, and possibilities that music can bring.
Mark was a private person, but also an extraordinarily generous one. Throughout his life, he sought to bring joy and possibility to others, often turning conversations toward how he could offer help, support, or encouragement. Over time, his love of music was inevitably revealed. If you joined one of his frequent Zoom calls, you no doubt would have noticed different guitars in the background each time. Music was quietly but consistently present in his life and offered the perfect way to explain the creativity possible in both life and career.
To read Mark's full biography, please click here.
Why This Fund Exists
Mark’s wife, Jill, established the Mark Leiter Save the Music Endowment Fund to give family, friends, and colleagues an opportunity to collectively honor Mark’s life and perpetuate the values he cared about so deeply.
Mark put it best: “Being in a school music program builds math skills, instills the value of deliberate practice and teamwork, and creates the confidence to improvise on the fly. These skills are relevant to everyone and all careers.”
Mark witnessed firsthand how music changed his life and the lives of others, and he believed that access to music education should never be limited by income or geography.
Through this fund, Mark’s love of music will continue to resonate in classrooms, rehearsal spaces, and student communities for years to come.
How Endowment Gifts Are Used
Endowment gifts help support the long-term sustainability of Save The Music by funding essential operational and administrative expenses. This allows donations to be directed toward music education programs, instruments, and resources for students. By strengthening the Foundation’s financial foundation, endowment gifts help ensure that Save The Music’s impact continues for generations to come.