Michael S. Chae, vice chairman and chief financial officer of Blackstone, is one of the firm’s most influential senior leaders, combining financial stewardship with decades of investing experience across global private markets. Since joining Blackstone in 1997, Chae has held a wide range of leadership roles—including heading international private equity and the Asia-Pacific private equity business—before becoming CFO in 2015 and vice chairman in 2025. A longtime member of Blackstone’s management and investment committees, he has played a central role in scaling one of the world’s largest alternative asset managers while helping guide strategy, valuation, and enterprise risk across the firm.

Jean-Marc Chapus, cofounder and managing partner of Crescent Capital, helped build one of the most established private credit firms in the market by focusing on below-investment-grade debt, private equity-backed financing, and disciplined risk management. A former leveraged finance banker at Drexel Burnham Lambert and later a senior executive at TCW, Chapus co-founded Crescent in 1991 and played a central role in shaping its investment philosophy across private and tradeable credit. Under his leadership, Crescent grew into a globally recognized credit platform managing tens of billions of dollars and became a key capital partner to private equity sponsors and growth companies.

Doug Ostrover, cofounder, co-CEO, and chairman of Blue Owl Capital, helped build one of the most influential private credit platforms of the modern era by scaling Owl Rock into a global alternative asset manager. A former senior executive at Blackstone and cofounder of GSO Capital Partners, Ostrover launched Owl Rock in 2016 with a focus on direct lending and institutional-scale private credit, then helped transform it into Blue Owl through a landmark merger. Known for disciplined underwriting, permanent-capital strategy, and deep institutional relationships, he has become a central figure in the rise of private credit as a core asset class.

Marc Lipschultz, co-chief executive officer of Blue Owl Capital, helped build one of the most influential private credit firms of the modern era by scaling Owl Rock into a global alternative asset manager. A former senior dealmaker at KKR, Lipschultz co-founded Owl Rock in 2016, then helped merge it into what became Blue Owl, a publicly traded firm spanning credit, GP stakes, and real assets. Known for disciplined underwriting, institutional relationships, and a sharp focus on permanent capital, he has played a central role in Blue Owl’s rise as a major force in private markets.

Steven Klinsky is the founder and CEO of New Mountain Capital, a private equity firm that manages over $50 billion in assets and focuses on high-growth, non-cyclical businesses. Before founding his firm in 1999, he was a pioneer in the industry at Goldman Sachs and a general partner at Forstmann Little, where he helped develop the strategy of business-building over financial engineering. Klinsky is also a major figure in education reform, having established the Modern States Education Alliance, which provides free college-level courses and credit to hundreds of thousands of students globally.

Tony Tamer, cofounder and co-CEO of H.I.G. Capital, built one of the world’s largest middle-market private equity firms by focusing on operational turnarounds, carve-outs, and complex buyouts. Since launching H.I.G. in 1993, Tamer has helped expand the firm into a global platform investing across private equity, credit, and real assets, with a reputation for hands-on management and disciplined value creation. Known for deep operational engagement and long-term partnerships with management teams, he has positioned H.I.G. as a dominant force in middle-market investing.

Sami Mnaymneh, cofounder and co-CEO of H.I.G. Capital, built one of the world’s largest middle-market private equity firms by focusing on complex carve-outs, underperforming businesses, and operational turnarounds. Since launching H.I.G. in 1993, Mnaymneh has helped scale the firm into a global platform investing across private equity, credit, and real assets, with a reputation for hands-on value creation and disciplined dealmaking. Known for deep operational involvement and a global investment footprint, he has positioned H.I.G. as a dominant force in middle-market buyouts and special situations.

Josh Harris, cofounder of Apollo Global Management, is one of the most accomplished investors of his generation, helping build Apollo into a global alternative-asset powerhouse managing hundreds of billions across private equity, credit, and real assets. After three decades of shaping Apollo’s hallmark value-oriented, contrarian investment strategy, Harris expanded his influence into professional sports as cofounder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, owning the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, and, most recently, the Washington Commanders. Known for his analytical discipline, long-term strategy, and philanthropic commitments in education and community development, Harris has become a defining figure in both modern finance and major-league sports ownership.

Jonathan Gray, president and chief operating officer of Blackstone, is one of the most influential investors in modern finance, credited with building the firm’s real estate arm into the world’s largest private property platform. Joining Blackstone in 1992, he pioneered the company’s massive expansion into opportunistic real estate, logistics, hospitality, and large-scale global acquisitions, including the Hilton Hotels deal—one of the most profitable private equity investments in history. As COO, Gray now helps steer Blackstone’s multi-trillion-dollar asset management strategy across private equity, credit, infrastructure, and insurance. Known for his analytical discipline, bold dealmaking, and philanthropic leadership in cancer research, Gray is a central architect of the firm’s rise to global dominance.

Hartley Rogers, chairman of Hamilton Lane, has guided the investment management firm into a global leader in private markets solutions. With decades of experience in private equity and alternative investments, he helped scale Hamilton Lane’s platform to manage and advise on hundreds of billions in assets for institutional clients worldwide. Known for his strategic leadership and deep industry expertise, Rogers has positioned the firm at the forefront of private markets investing, while also serving on boards and engaging in philanthropic initiatives.

David E. Shaw is the Stanford‑trained computer scientist turned Wall Street quant and billionaire founder of D. E. Shaw & Co.. Launched in 1988 with $28 million, the firm pioneered algorithmic trading and grew into one of the world’s largest hedge funds—managing ~$65 billion in assets by 2025. Shaw stepped back from daily operations in 2001 to lead D. E. Shaw Research, advancing computational biochemistry and molecular-dynamics simulations.

David Rubenstein is an American lawyer, billionaire investor, and philanthropist who co-founded The Carlyle Group in 1987. From humble beginnings in Baltimore, he built Carlyle into a global private equity powerhouse managing over $426 billion in assets as of 2023. In 2024, he became principal owner of the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles and chairs numerous institutions including the Kennedy Center (until 2025), Council on Foreign Relations, and the National Gallery of Art.

David Blitzer is an American investor and sports team owner. As Blackstone’s Chairman of Tactical Opportunities, he oversees global investing across asset classes. In 2011, he co-founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), the first entity to hold equity in all five major U.S. men’s leagues (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, MLS). His portfolio includes the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Cleveland Guardians, Real Salt Lake (now minority stake), and the Washington Commanders.

Daniel D’Aniello is an American business leader and co‑founder of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. A Syracuse and Harvard University alumnus, he served as vice president at Marriott before launching Carlyle in 1987. A decorated U.S. Navy officer, D’Aniello stepped down as chair in 2018 and now emphasizes philanthropy in veterans’ affairs and higher education. 

Bruce Karsh is the co-founder, co-chairman, and Chief Investment Officer of Oaktree Capital Management, the global leader in distressed-debt investing with nearly $190 billion in assets under management. A former appellate clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, Karsh transitioned from law to finance, quietly building a reputation as the “quiet secret behind Oaktree’s success” alongside Howard Marks.

Stephen Schwarzman is an American billionaire businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of The Blackstone Group, a global private equity firm. Schwarzman is known for his significant influence in the finance sector and his substantial philanthropic contributions.