Steve Schwarzman
Steve Schwarzman is the billionaire Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of The Blackstone Group, one of the world’s largest alternative investment firms, managing over $1 trillion in assets. Since founding Blackstone in 1985, Schwarzman has been involved in all aspects of the firm’s growth and development, helping shape it into a global leader in private equity, real estate, credit, and alternative investments. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures on Wall Street and a global business and finance leader. Beyond his professional achievements, Schwarzman is a committed philanthropist, supporting initiatives in education, culture, the arts, and public service. He is also the author of “What It Takes”, a New York Times bestseller that draws on his experiences in business, philanthropy, and leadership.
Steve Schwarzman Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer
Academic History
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Master of Business Administration
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Bachelor of Arts
Under Steve Schwarzman’s leadership, The Blackstone Group has grown into a global powerhouse in alternative investments, establishing leading businesses across multiple asset classes.
The firm is a global leader in private equity, focusing on traditional buyouts, growth equity, special situations, and secondary investing.
In real estate, Blackstone is the world’s largest owner of commercial property, while its multi-asset division represents the largest discretionary allocation to hedge funds globally.
In credit, Blackstone is a major provider of financing for companies of all sizes and is recognized as a global credit leader.
Schwarzman’s influence and expertise have been widely recognized in the media. He has been featured or profiled in Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Barron's, Bloomberg, Fox Business, Financial Times, Yahoo! Finance, CNN, and CNBC, among others.
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Board Member, The Asia Society
Advisory Board, Tsinghua University in Beijing
Chairman Emeritus of the Board, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
RECOGNITIONS
2024 Honorary Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
2019 Barron's World's Best CEOs
2018 Forbes World's Most Powerful People
2007 TIME 100 Most Influential People
EARLY CAREER
Steve Schwarzman began his financial career at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, where he developed a passion for corporate finance and learned the fundamentals of the stock market, money management, and financial analysis.
After earning his MBA from Harvard Business School, he joined Lehman Brothers, eventually becoming Managing Director of Global Mergers and Acquisitions at age 31.
He left Lehman Brothers in 1984 following its acquisition by American Express. Schwarzman also served as Chairman of the President's Strategic and Policy Forum under President Donald Trump.
PHILANTHROPY
Schwarzman is a dedicated philanthropist who signed The Giving Pledge in 2020, committing the majority of his wealth to charitable causes.
His major contributions include donations to the University of Oxford, MIT, Yale University, and the New York Public Library, the creation of the Schwarzman Scholars program in China, and support for initiatives in education, culture, and the arts, reflecting his commitment to global impact and long-term societal improvement.