Michael C. Szwajkowski ’88 died on July 10, 2025, in Stamford, Connecticut.
(The following was provided by Legacy Remembers on July 15, 2025:)
Michael C. Szwajkowski ’88
Michael “Mike” Szwajkowski, 59, passed away on July 10, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of deep love, sharp intellect, and uncompromising drive. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother, Mike was born on June 25, 1966. at Mac Neal Memorial Hospital in Berwyn, Illinois.
The son of proud Polish roots, Mike embodied a rare combination of swagger and substance – fiercely driven, intimidated by nothing, and always quick with a razor-sharp sense of humor. A proud francophile, he found equally deep joy in music: playing guitar like Keith Richards, blasting Green Day, and jamming to Buckcherry. Food was another one of his love languages – often the way he brought people together, whether over a home-cooked meal of golumpki or a night out.
To be known by Mike was to be loved deeply-and for those lucky enough to be loved by him, it was the greatest gift of all.
He was a passionate learner and poet. After graduating from Elgin Academy in 1984, Mike earned his bachelor of arts in English, literature, and letters from Bowdoin College in 1988, and later received his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1995.
Mike built a distinguished career in finance. Most recently, he served as founder and CEO of Alinea Financial Partners (2023 – 2025). He previously served as founder and principal, Annex Holdings (2006 – 2025), president and founder of Sector Financial (2017 – 2020), executive vice president at Capital One (2011 -2016), president, Structured Finance Business at CapitalSource (2000 – 2011), founder, president and director at Clarity Holdings (1999 – 2003), director at Credit Suisse (1996 – 1999), and vice president at Heller Financial (1990 – 1996). He began his career as an associate at AMLI Residential from (1988 – 1990). Mike also served his community as a volunteer firefighter in Rye, New York.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Courtney Miller Szwajkowski; his five devoted children, Eliot Pullman Szwajkowski, Elise Trostel Szwajkowski, Castine Childs Szwajkowski, George Pinkerton Szwajkowski, and Lear Edward Szwajkowski; daughter-in-law, Amanda Josephine Szwajkowski; granddaughter, Ayla Ray Szwajkowski (who knew Mike as “Pops”); and a grandson, expected September 2025. He is also survived by his mother, Carol Mares Szwajkowski; brother, Todd Stephen Szwajkowski and his husband, Alex Aubry; sister, Amy Lauren Szwajkowski; nephew, Henry Ronald DeHart; and niece, Vivian Mares DeHart. He was preceded in death by his cherished father, Ronald Walter Szwajkowski; grandparents Walter and Josephine Szwajkowski and George (“Pops”) and Florence Mares.