In an era defined by geopolitical uncertainty, volatile markets and rapid technological transformation, the institutions that endure are those led by people who don’t just adapt — they drive change.
Howard Lutnick is one of those people. A dealmaker, a realist, and a survivor in every sense of the word, Lutnick has consistently proven he’s the right man for the job — especially when the stakes are highest.
Before his career on Wall Street started, he suffered two impactful losses. He lost his mother at age 16 from cancer, and his father just two years later as he was beginning college from a chemotherapy overdose from lung cancer. As Secretary Lutnick put it during his Senate Confirmation hearing earlier this year, “losing one parent is heartbreaking, losing both is earth-shattering.”
While attending college, he and his older sister, Edie, provided the means for their younger brother, Gary, to attend boarding school for a year. Gary would attend boarding school during the week and sleep in his brother’s dorm during the weekend.
He then moved to live with Edie for the next two years as she earned her business and law degrees. This made the Lutnick siblings inseparable.
On 9/11, Lutnick lost 658 employees, including Gary. Every Cantor employee in the World Trade Center was killed that day. For a month, he attended each funeral of every employee. The company then did something amazing in the wake of the attacks. Each employee donated 25% of their paychecks to the surviving families. Years later when Lutnick took the company public, he paid back his employees double what they donated.
What sets Lutnick apart is not just his capacity to lead in crisis but his ability to execute complex deals with foresight and precision. Whether navigating capital markets, pioneering fintech through BGC Partners, or taking on transformative partnerships, Lutnick brings a pragmatism that’s increasingly rare. He understands the rules of the game because he’s helped write them.
But perhaps most importantly, Lutnick is a realist — someone who acknowledges the risks, sees the full board, and plays to win. In a world plagued by performative leadership and wishful thinking, that mindset is not just refreshing — it’s necessary.
When the next chapter of American finance, innovation, and global influence is written, leaders like Howard Lutnick will be remembered not just for surviving the storm — but for charting a course through it.
He’s not just the right man for the job. He’s the right man for this moment.
Charlie Kolean has worked as a senior policy adviser for state legislators, multinational corporations, and think tanks. Mr. Kolean has been involved in politics for over a decade as an activist, candidate, political consultant, and party leader. He was a bundler on the Trump Finance Victory Committee and is a member of the American Association of Political Consultants. Readmore of his reports — Here.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
