“Every year, I speak to our new associates and give them this advice, although in my own words. 'This isn't like school,' I tell them, 'where you want to get your hand in the air and give an answer quickly. The only grade here is 100. Deadlines are important, but at Blackstone you can always get help in meeting them.'”

American businessman

Stephen A. Schwarzman is an American businessman and investor, born in 1947. He is chairman and chief executive of Blackstone Inc. and is known for building the private equity firm into a major global force after co-founding it in 1985 with Peter G. Peterson. Schwarzman has also been active in politics and public policy. He chaired President Donald Trump's Strategic and Policy Forum, and he was a major Republican donor during the 2024 election cycle.