Stephen A. Schwarzman is the Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Blackstone, one of the world's largest alternative investment firms with over $1 trillion in assets under management. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, Schwarzman has been instrumental in Blackstone's development since its founding in 1985. He is renowned for his expertise in private equity, real estate, and financial services. Schwarzman is also a prolific philanthropist, having committed to The Giving Pledge and made significant donations to educational institutions worldwide, including the University of Oxford, MIT, and Yale University. His book "What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence" became a New York Times bestseller, drawing from his experiences in business, philanthropy, and public service. Schwarzman has been recognized as one of TIME's "100 Most Influential People" and has topped Forbes Magazine's list of the most influential people in finance. He currently resides in New York City.