'I promoted Lorna Hajdini': Alleged JPMorgan Chase manager’s viral post reignites controversy amid lawsuit
Photo: Harvard Business School
A viral post on X, purporting to be from a former senior manager, has drawn fresh attention to Lorna Hajdini’s career at JPMorgan Chase, as she faces a lawsuit alleging abuse, coercion and harassment.
In the lengthy post, the individual claims responsibility for Hajdini’s promotion, writing: “I promoted Lorna Hajdini to Executive Director at JPMorgan because she understood something most bankers never learn. Ownership.”
The post goes on to frame that “ownership” as control over junior employees’ careers, adding: “You manage the person building it. Their trajectory. Their compensation. Their future at the firm.”
One of the most widely shared lines references language also cited in the lawsuit: “‘I own you.’ I’ve said it to thirty-one analysts over twenty-two years.”
The author argues such language reflects internal culture rather than misconduct, describing it as part of “direct management accountability” and “alignment of incentives.”
The post also addresses the allegations directly, stating: “When the complaint came across my desk, I read it twice… because it was familiar.”
It further claims an internal investigation found no wrongdoing and attributes the situation to a “communication gap,” while emphasising the executive’s continued role at the firm.
The identity of the account has not been independently verified.
I promoted Lorna Hajdini to Executive Director at JPMorgan because she understood something most bankers never learn.
Ownership.
Not deal ownership. People ownership. The kind of leadership where you don't just manage a pipeline. You manage the person building it. Their…Lorna Hajdini is currently at the centre of a lawsuit filed in New York City by a former employee identified as “John Doe.” The complaint accuses her of sexual abuse, coercion and racial harassment, alleging she used her position of authority over a junior colleague.
JPMorgan Chase has denied the allegations, stating an internal review found no evidence to support the claims.
The post has since circulated widely online, fuelling debate over workplace power dynamics and whether the language described reflects culture, misconduct, or both.