Overview
Howard Lutnick is the Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a global financial services firm, and the Chairman and CEO of BGC Partners, a leading global brokerage company. He is widely recognized for his leadership during one of Wall Street’s darkest times: the 9/11 attacks, which tragically claimed the lives of 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees, including Lutnick's own brother. His handling of the company’s survival and subsequent rebuilding has been both praised and scrutinized, placing him in the spotlight as a resilient yet controversial figure in finance and philanthropy.
Lutnick’s story reflects themes of loss, loyalty, leadership, and legacy—transforming personal tragedy into institutional recovery while reshaping the financial firm’s structure for long-term impact.
Sources
Highlights
Born: July 14, 1961, in Jericho, New York.
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Haverford College, where he later became a major benefactor.
Became President and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald in the early 1990s.
Lost 658 employees, including his brother Gary, in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.
Refused to take a salary after 9/11 and pledged 25% of Cantor’s profits for five years to the families of lost employees.
Founded Relief Fund for 9/11 families, distributing over $180 million.
Rebuilt Cantor Fitzgerald into a diversified company with strong technology and electronic trading platforms.
Also CEO of BGC Partners, a spin-off and major success in electronic markets.
Known for philanthropic work, especially in education and post-disaster recovery efforts.
41st United States secretary of commerce since 2025.
Notable Content
🎬 "Out of the Clear Blue Sky" (2012, Documentary) – A gripping look at 9/11 through the lens of Cantor Fitzgerald’s story. Directed by Danielle Gardner.
🎧 "9/11: Howard Lutnick Interview" – 60 Minutes (CBS) – Emotional and transparent interview reflecting on survival, responsibility, and leadership.
📘 "What’s the Worth?" – While not authored by Lutnick, many leadership books and crisis management studies feature case studies of Cantor Fitzgerald post-9/11.
📰 Forbes, Bloomberg, and WSJ often cover Lutnick's role in reshaping modern brokerage firms and tech-driven finance.
🎓 Haverford College Archives – Details Lutnick’s academic journey and substantial philanthropic contributions.
Timeline
1961 – Howard Lutnick is born in Jericho, New York.
1983 – Graduates from Haverford College.
1991 – Becomes President and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald.
September 11, 2001 – Cantor Fitzgerald loses 658 employees in the World Trade Center attacks.
2001–2006 – Implements survivor support program and rebuilds company infrastructure.
2004 – Launches BGC Partners as a subsidiary, later spinning it off into its own public company.
2012 – Release of “Out of the Clear Blue Sky” documentary.
2021 – Marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with continued charitable commitments and remembrance events.
Present Day – Leads Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners with expanded reach in fintech and global trading.
41st United States secretary of commerce since 2025.
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