[7] Rowan joined the mergers and acquisitions department of Drexel Burnham Lambert where he worked in New York City and Los Angeles.
[8][10] In July 2020 Rowan took a "semi-sabbatical" from Apollo, but remained involved in strategy and on boards, until taking over as CEO in March 2021.
[22][23][24][4] As a result of the 2023 Palestine Writes conference held at University of Pennsylvania, Rowan attempted to organize a boycott of donors and signed a letter urging a response to alleged antisemitism at the festival.
[25][26] Rowan advocated for the resignation of Liz Magill, due to reactions from the 2023 United States Congress hearing on antisemitism.
Some professors at the university called the suggested reforms "a hostile Republican takeover," that would negatively affect intellectual freedom on campus.
[29] In December 2023, Rowan hosted a fundraiser for Republican politician and House Education Committee Chair Virginia Foxx.
[31] In November 2024, following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Rowan was interviewed for the U.S. Treasury Secretary nomination by President Trump.
[33][34] Rowan is married to fashion designer Carolyn Pleva who he met on a blind date.