John-Austin is the Founder and Managing Partner of High Country Advisors. Since 2017, he has worked closely with leaders of investment management organizations during moments of launch, growth or transition. High Country Advisors is also the sponsor of the ThreeStone funds, which focus on the launch and growth of Challenger investment firms.

Over the last 25 years, he has been a part of the founding moments for asset owners (major endowments, foundations and family offices) and investment firms. He has invested in or advised dozens of Challenger firms while they were in their formative stages. His years as an institutional LP have given him the chance to learn from and invest in some of the world’s most prominent investment organizations

Previously, John-Austin served as the founding President and Chief Investment Officer for UC Berkeley's endowment management company. Before launching the Berkeley Endowment Management Company (BEMCO) in 2009, he served on the private capital team at Cambridge Associates and the founding investment team at the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation. He began his career financing companies in roles as a commercial banker and as a venture investor.

John-Austin is a CFA Charterholder and earned his MBA from Duke University and a BA in Economics from UC San Diego.