founders

Matthew Strauss
founder
Matthew and Iris Strauss are among the world’s leading art collectors. Mathew Strauss founded M.C. Strauss Company, a leader in commercial real estate, in 1960. The Strausses have been listed among the World’s Top 200 Collectors in ArtNews Magazine since 2009 and the World’s Top 100 Collectors in Lifestyles Magazine in 2018 and 2019.

IRIS Strauss
founder
Iris and Matthew serve on the UC San Diego Health Advisory Board, Chairs, Development. They were both awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for Exceptional Leadership and Service in 2019. They are engaged in multiple philanthropic activities and fundraising especially for UCSD, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and the Matthew and Iris Strauss Family Foundation.

more about us

Founder and CEO of the M.C. Strauss Company real estate development and investment firm, Matthew has been a Trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego since 1987 and President of the Board of Trustees 2013-2016. Iris Strauss is past President and Life Director of the San Diego Opera Company and former member of the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. She was appointed by the mayor of San Diego as Liaison for Arts and Culture and Chair of the City’s Master Art Plan, serving from 2004–2012