Ackman Badgered by Rich Wokes at Closed-Door Milken Session
11th May 2024
At this week’s Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, while the financial elite discussed artificial intelligence and Elon Musk’s latest ventures, a crucial and fiery debate on diversity unfolded behind closed doors. About 40 attendees, including influential Wall Street figures and senior executives of color, engaged in a heated discussion with hedge fund manager Bill Ackman over his controversial stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
In a private, invitation-only panel, Ackman – who’s come under intense fire from the woke-industrial-complex, faced criticism for his public denunciation of DEI initiatives, which he has labeled as “inherently racist and illegal.” The dialogue, which lasted about an hour, saw attendees harangue Ackman’s over his views, accusing him of attacking women’s rights (as opposed to the trans movement?) and people of color in the U.S., Bloomberg reports. The panel included notable figures such as Jarvis V. Hollingsworth of the $200 billion Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and Dina DiLorenzo of Guggenheim Investments – which manages over $300 billion, among others.