William M. LEWIS JR.

Apollo Global Management

William "Bill" Lewis, a renowned figure in the investment banking world, has made a name for himself as Managing Director and Chairman of Investment Banking at Lazard, where he provided financial advisory services to global corporations. Previously, Bill spent 24 years with Morgan Stanley in several leadership roles including Global M&A, Global Corporate Finance, and Morgan Stanley Realty. In 1989, he became Morgan Stanley’s first African-American Managing Director. He also chaired its charitable foundation and diversity task force. Today, Lewis is a Partner and a member of the Firm Leadership Team at the leading investment management firm, Apollo Global Management. Under his guidance, Apollo recently made a strategic investment in HarbourView Equity, a leading Black female-led fund focused on the music and entertainment sectors. Beyond his responsibilities at Apollo, Lewis extends his influence and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through his board memberships at Ariel Alternatives and the Harvard Management Company. In these roles, he is a staunch advocate for a more inclusive investment landscape, championing the integration and recognition of diverse-owned firms. His efforts are instrumental in shaping a more equitable and inclusive finance industry, aligning with the broader mission of bridging persistent disparities in gender, wealth, health, education, and more.