Bekenstein graduated from Yale University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). He then graduated from Harvard Business School with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1984.^[1]

Since earning his degrees, Bekenstein has stayed active with Yale, and is on the Board of Advisors of the Yale School of Management, the Yale Investment Committee, an at-large member of the University Council, the co-chair of the Yale Tomorrow Campaign, and a member of the Yale Development Council. He was also appointed as a new successor trustee of the Yale Corporation in 2013.^[1]

Bekenstein worked at Bain & Company following his graduation from Yale where he worked with companies in a variety of industries.^[2] He joined Bain Capital at its founding in 1984 and became a managing director in 1986. He was named co-chairman of the firm in 2016.^[3][1]

Bekenstein is a board member of Gymboree Corporation, Dollarama,^[4] Toys "R" Us, Bombardier Recreational Products, Michaels Stores, Burlington Coat Factory, Waters Corporation,^[5] Bright Horizons Family Solutions,^[6][7] and Yale University.^[8][9]

Bekenstein is co-chair of the board of directors of New Profit Inc., a Boston-based venture philanthropy fund^[10] and as a member on the Board of Trustees of the Pan-Mass Challenge, an annual bike-athon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to raise money for the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute,^[11] where Bekenstein is chairman of the board of trustees.^[12] Bekenstein co-chaired Dana-Farbers “Mission Possible” campaign that hit its goal to raise $1 billion a year early in September 2009.^[13] Bekenstein also chairs the board of Be The Change, is a board member of City Year, Opportunity Nation, and New Leaders.^[14] He also contributes to Horizons for Homeless Children, Year Up, Teach for America, Kipp Schools, and Boston Children’s Hospital.^[6][15][16]

In 2010, the National Association of Corporate Directors named Bekenstein Nonprofit Director of the Year.^[6][17]