David E. Shaw is the Stanford‑trained computer scientist turned Wall Street quant and billionaire founder of D. E. Shaw & Co.. Launched in 1988 with $28 million, the firm pioneered algorithmic trading and grew into one of the world’s largest hedge funds—managing ~$65 billion in assets by 2025. Shaw stepped back from daily operations in 2001 to lead D. E. Shaw Research, advancing computational biochemistry and molecular-dynamics simulations.

David Rubenstein is an American lawyer, billionaire investor, and philanthropist who co-founded The Carlyle Group in 1987. From humble beginnings in Baltimore, he built Carlyle into a global private equity powerhouse managing over $426 billion in assets as of 2023. In 2024, he became principal owner of the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles and chairs numerous institutions including the Kennedy Center (until 2025), Council on Foreign Relations, and the National Gallery of Art.

David Golub is the business leader heading Golub Capital, a top-tier direct lender he joined in 2003, and CEO of its NASDAQ‑listed Golub Capital BDC, managing over $75 billion in capital. A Harvard and Stanford MBA alumnus, he helped build Golub into a private-credit powerhouse and serves as longtime board chair of The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Daniel D’Aniello is an American business leader and co‑founder of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. A Syracuse and Harvard University alumnus, he served as vice president at Marriott before launching Carlyle in 1987. A decorated U.S. Navy officer, D’Aniello stepped down as chair in 2018 and now emphasizes philanthropy in veterans’ affairs and higher education. 

Bruce Karsh is the co-founder, co-chairman, and Chief Investment Officer of Oaktree Capital Management, the global leader in distressed-debt investing with nearly $190 billion in assets under management. A former appellate clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, Karsh transitioned from law to finance, quietly building a reputation as the “quiet secret behind Oaktree’s success” alongside Howard Marks.

Alec Gores is a billionaire investor and founder of The Gores Group, a private equity firm known for pioneering the use of SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies) to take tech and industrial companies public. Born in Israel and raised in Michigan, Gores built his fortune by identifying undervalued businesses and transforming them into market leaders.

Abigail Johnson is the CEO and President of Fidelity Investments, one of the largest asset management firms in the world. Known for her strategic acumen and commitment to innovation, she has significantly influenced the financial industry and continues to lead Fidelity with a focus on technology and customer-centric services.