Christopher B. Combe ’70 (’99, ’06, ’09 P)

Global business and civic leader

Christopher B. Combe is the former chairman and CEO of Combe Incorporated—a private, family-held company that manufactures and markets health and personal care products globally, and is known for such brands as Just for Men, Vagisil, and Seabond.

Prior to his retirement in 2014, Combe expanded the organization’s international market by launching its business in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. He joined the company—which was founded by his father, Ivan D. Combe ’33, ’36 JD (’65, ’70 P) (’94, ’99, ’09 GP), in 1949—in 1975. Previously, Combe spent five years in sales and marketing with American Hospital Supply Corp. (now Baxter International).

Combe joined the Northwestern University Board of Trustees in 1997 and became a life trustee in 2017. He has also served on the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors since 1981, the Alumni Admission Council since 1975, and several class reunion committees. Combe became a co-chair of We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern in 2014.

Today, Combe also sits on the boards of Malaria No More, an organization that works to end malaria-related deaths in Africa, and Heart Care International, which is dedicated to improving the health of children with heart disease.

Combe earned a BA in economics from Northwestern. He is married to Christina Combe and has three children—Keech ’99, ’06 MBA, Cameron ’09, and Christie. In addition to his father, who received the Northwestern Alumni Medal in 1998, several other family members attended Northwestern. They include his sister, Juliette Combe Larson ’65; niece, Stephanie Price ’94; son-in-law, Akshay Shetty ’06 MBA; and nephew-in-law Mark Price ’94.