Our Pillars
No other Wall Street institution has a story like ours. Our company was founded upon six core pillars:
Exceptional Talent and Entrepreneurialism
We recruit and hire exceptional talent to ensure our clients receive unparalleled service with a customized approach. We’re passionate about the continued growth and development of our employees so they can take their careers to the next level.
Continuous Innovation
We’re an innovation company. Why? Because more than 75 years of experience has taught us that the next 75 years belong to those who not only invest in but invent the future. Our commitment to fueling continuous innovation – both for ourselves and our clients – keeps us at the cutting edge of finance, where we deliver smarter, more personalized financial services to our clients.
Experienced Leadership
Cantor’s executive leadership team shapes the firm’s vision and strategy, guided by their deep expertise and a commitment to excellence. Their leadership fosters innovation, drives success, and reinforces our dedication to the communities where we live and work.
Resilience and Perseverance
Not only have we persevered through every market fluctuation over the past seven decades, but we’ve built a global financial services powerhouse in the wake of unprecedented hardship. In 2001, we tragically lost 658 of our 960 New York-based colleagues in the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. Due to the unwavering dedication, determination and ingenuity of our employees, we stand stronger now more than ever before.
Genuine Philanthropy
Philanthropy has long been a pillar of our ethos, but it was amplified by the devastating events of September 11th, 2011, when 658 colleagues perished in the World Trade Center Attacks. The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund was established as a response to the tragic event, but its genesis spawned our larger culture of dedication to supporting those in need. Since its creation, the Relief Fund has raised over $300 million and has expanded to support victims of terrorism and provide disaster relief. On Charity Day – created to commemorate our lost colleagues- both Cantor Fitzgerald and BCG Group donate 100% of their revenues to Relief Fund charities.
Surpassing Client Expectations
For almost 80 years, we’ve been a formidable part of financial services in the United States and abroad. The firm’s longevity is testament to our commitment to strengthening and maintaining client bonds beyond transactions – our goal is to exceed their needs and expectations.
Our
History
Executive Leadership
Brandon Lutnick
Chairman
Kyle Lutnick
Executive Vice Chairman
Stephen Merkel
Executive Vice Chairman, Executive Managing Director, and General Counsel
Danny Salinas
Chief Financial Officer
Mike Whitaker
Chief Operating Officer & Chief Information Officer
Brandon Lutnick
Brandon Lutnick
Chairman
Brandon Lutnick is the Chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. and is a member of the Board of Directors for BGC Group, Inc.
Most recently, Mr. Lutnick worked as an Executive at Cantor Fitzgerald, driving the firm’s corporate strategy and overseeing projects related to the company and its affiliates. He also serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Cantor Fitzgerald’s Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, including Cantor Equity Partners, Inc. and Cantor Equity Partners I, Inc. Mr. Lutnick joined Cantor in 2022 in equity sales and trading. He began his career as a credit analyst at Oak Hill Advisors.
Mr. Lutnick graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University.
Kyle Lutnick
Kyle Lutnick
Executive Vice Chairman
Kyle Lutnick is Executive Vice Chairman of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. and a member of the Board of Directors for Newmark Group, Inc.
Most recently Mr. Lutnick served as Global Managing Director of Knotel, Inc., Newmark’s flexible office and workspace business. Prior to that, he was Knotel’s General Manager of UK & EMEA and Vice President of Business Development. Before joining Knotel, Mr. Lutnick was a member of Newmark’s market-leading retail advisory team, where he advised clients in New York City, one of the most dynamic commercial markets in the world.
Mr. Lutnick graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stanford University.
Stephen Merkel
Stephen Merkel
Executive Vice Chairman, Executive Managing Director, and General Counsel
Stephen Merkel is Executive Vice Chairman, Executive Managing Director, and General Counsel for Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., responsible for overseeing legal and compliance functions globally.
Prior to joining Cantor Fitzgerald in 1993, Mr. Merkel was Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Goldman Sachs & Co., dedicated to the J. Aron Division. Before that, he was an associate with the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. He also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Irving R. Kaufman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Mr. Merkel received a Bachelor’s degree with a major in History and Sociology of Science from the University of Pennsylvania and received his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
Mr. Merkel is currently on the Board of Trustees for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation. He was a founding member of the Wholesale Markets Brokers’ Association for the Americas. Mr. Merkel lives with his wife, Robin Shanus, and has three adult children, David, Gabe and Leo.
Danny Salinas
Danny Salinas
Chief Financial Officer
Danny Salinas is a Senior Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of Cantor Fitzgerald L.P. As CFO, Mr. Salinas is responsible for financial operations, including accounting, finance, regulatory reporting, treasury, financial planning and analysis, as well as taxation, risk management, investor relations and corporate services.
Prior to joining Cantor, Mr. Salinas held various executive positions at TD Bank Group, most recently as Chief Financial Officer for TD Securities. He also practiced as a tax attorney at Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, where he advised on strategic corporate transactions. Mr. Salinas began his career at Deloitte & Touche, where he received his CPA.
He earned a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University.
Mike Whitaker
Mike Whitaker
Chief Operating Officer & Chief Information Officer
Mike Whitaker is the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer of Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P., responsible for developing and implementing the company’s global technology strategy, Operations, Human Resources, Communications, and Marketing functions.
Mr. Whitaker brings more than 40 years’ experience in financial services and technology. He joined Cantor Fitzgerald in 2024 from Citi, where he spent 15 years in senior technology management roles and rose to become the firm’s Head of Operations & Technology and a member of the Executive Management Team.
Prior to joining Citi, Mr. Whitaker worked at Deutsche Bank and Barclays Capital, where his responsibilities included CIO for Global Fixed Income, Global Equities & Prime Finance, eCommerce, and Algorithmic trading functions.
Mr. Whitaker holds a Master of Science degree in financial markets and derivatives from City, University of London.
