It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our partner and friend, Jeffrey Nattans.

Jeff lit up our lives and radiated positive energy. He led with a care for others and humility that is unmatched. He was deeply trusted by our clients, generous with his colleagues, and committed to making every organization he served stronger. His judgment made us better, his friendship enriched our lives, and his influence on our firm will endure.

Jeff’s humility was endearing to us all. His level of achievement on and off the field was extraordinary. After becoming a professional athlete, Jeff went on to a highly distinguished career in business and finance.

Those who knew Jeff will remember him not simply for what he accomplished, but for the character and kindness he brought to everything he did. We bonded over our mutual love for Baltimore and desire to do our part to make it a better place.

Above all, Jeff was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Our hearts are with Karen, Spencer, and the entire Nattans family.

We will miss Jeff enormously and will always be grateful that he was part of Black Diamond.

Jeff’s Life and Career

Jeff Nattans was a Partner of the firm and served as a trusted advisor to wealthy families and institutional investors.

Previously, Jeff served as Executive Vice President for Sagamore Ventures. His responsibilities included overseeing the financial aspects of a private single-family office with a management focus on strategy, investments and finance. Prior to Sagamore Ventures, Jeff was Senior Vice President, Strategy, M&A and Corporate Development for Franklin Templeton after the firm’s successful acquisition of Legg Mason. Jeff had management responsibility for corporate strategy, M&A, strategic investment activities and corporate development initiatives. He also served as member of the firm’s Management Committee.

Jeff previously served as the Head of M&A at Legg Mason. Jeff joined Legg Mason in 2006 as a Managing Director in Administrative Management, focusing on corporate strategy and M&A. He was involved in helping drive corporate strategy and played a key role in strategic initiatives including M&A, capital raises and Legg Mason’s international expansion and growth in alternative investments. He was a former member of the firm’s Executive Committee and Management Group.

Prior to Legg Mason, Jeff served as a Vice President in the Investment Banking Division with Goldman Sachs in New York. During his tenure, Jeff advised clients on M&A and corporate finance transactions in the asset management, insurance and financial services industries. Jeff began his business career with Deloitte in public accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Jeff earned an MBA from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, summa cum laude, from Loyola University Maryland. At Loyola, Jeff played both Division 1 soccer and basketball. He was a two-time Academic All-American in soccer and was named the Northeast Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in his senior year. After college, he continued his soccer career with the Maryland Bays of the American Professional Soccer League. Jeff has been inducted into the Maryland Soccer Hall of Fame, the Loyola Athletic Hall of Fame and the Calvert Hall Alumni Hall of Fame.

Jeff served as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Calvert Hall College High School. He recently served on the Board of Trustees at Loyola University Maryland and was previously the Chair of the Board of Sponsors for the Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University Maryland. In addition, Jeff also served on the Board of Trustees for Catholic Charities of Baltimore.