William 'Bill' A. Ackman is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, a major activist hedge fund specializing in highly concentrated, long-term investments. His career is rooted in elite finance, strategic M&A, and corporate governance advocacy.

Ackman holds a B.A. in Social Studies from Harvard College (1988) and an MBA from Harvard Business School (HBS) (1992). His philosophical approach centers on scale, disruption, and long-term commitment to shareholder activism (targeting large, established companies). He is famous for his high-profile, aggressive activist campaigns against major corporations.

• Pershing Square Capital Management (Founder & CEO): The core private asset, a major activist hedge fund specializing in highly concentrated, long-term investments in public companies.
• Investment Apex: His success is built on disciplined stock selection and securing board seats to drive corporate restructuring (the Pershing Square playbook).
• Academic Background: He holds an MBA from HBS and a B.A. from Harvard College.
• Controversy/Crisis: His career is marked by high-profile, often controversial activist campaigns and public disputes (e.g., Herbalife).

Bill Ackman's strategic genius was his commitment to unlocking hidden value. He co-founded his first investment firm, Gotham Partners, in 1992. 2004: Pershing Square. He founded Pershing Square Capital Management, successfully building it into a major global activist force by executing high-conviction, concentrated bets and demanding corporate governance changes. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the modern high-profile activist investor model that fundamentally influenced corporate governance globally.

He remains Founder and CEO, guiding the company's continuous expansion and technological modernization. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, superior returns generated by Pershing Square's investment strategies and his long-term equity stake in the firm.

William Ackman's social impact stems from Pershing Square's role in driving corporate efficiency and governance reform in major public companies globally. His personal philanthropy, through the Pershing Square Foundation (co-founded with his former wife, Karen), supports major initiatives in education, health, economic development, and social justice, providing significant funding for high-impact social change programs.

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

William Ackman maintains the professional, composed style of a financial executive. His attire is consistently bespoke, favoring dark, tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and intellectual depth, typical of a pioneer in the global financial sector.

Residing in New York City, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to investment strategy, corporate governance, and high-impact philanthropy.