Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, built one of the world’s largest privately held toy companies, best known for creating the global hit Bratz dolls and, more recently, the L.O.L. Surprise! franchise. An Iranian-born immigrant, Larian started with a small import business before transforming it into a multibillion-dollar toy empire that competes with industry giants like Mattel and Hasbro. Known for his bold marketing strategies and willingness to take creative risks, he has made MGA a dominant force in the global toy market while also engaging in philanthropy and outspoken advocacy on industry issues.

Irwin Jacobs, cofounder and former CEO of Qualcomm, is a pioneering engineer and entrepreneur who helped revolutionize wireless communications. After an academic career at MIT and UC San Diego, he launched Qualcomm in 1985, driving the development and commercialization of CDMA technology, which became the global standard for mobile networks. Under his leadership, Qualcomm grew into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse at the heart of the mobile phone industry. Beyond technology, Jacobs is a noted philanthropist, supporting education, science, and the arts, particularly in San Diego, where his contributions have had lasting civic impact.

Holden Spaht, managing partner at Thoma Bravo, is a leading figure in private equity with a focus on software and technology investments. Since joining the firm in 2005, he has played a key role in building Thoma Bravo into one of the world’s largest and most successful software-focused buyout firms, managing over $130 billion in assets. Spaht has overseen major deals across enterprise software, cybersecurity, and fintech, earning a reputation for his disciplined investment approach and ability to scale technology businesses.

Hilton Schlosberg, co-CEO and president of Monster Beverage, has been instrumental in transforming the company from a small juice business into one of the world’s leading energy drink empires. Partnering with longtime associate Rodney Sacks, he helped steer Monster’s explosive growth through aggressive branding, international expansion, and a landmark partnership with Coca-Cola. Known for his financial acumen and operational discipline, Schlosberg has been central to building Monster into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse that continues to dominate the global energy drink market.

Henry Nicholas III, cofounder of Broadcom, made his fortune by helping build the semiconductor company into one of the world’s leading chipmakers. A former electrical engineer, he launched Broadcom in 1991 with Henry Samueli, driving innovations that powered the growth of broadband and wireless communications. After taking the company public and scaling it into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, Nicholas stepped down in 2003 but retained significant wealth from his stake. Beyond technology, he has been active in philanthropy, particularly through Nicholas Academic Centers, while also drawing attention for his outspoken views and high-profile controversies.

Pedro Franceschi, Brazilian-born entrepreneur and technologist, is the cofounder and co-CEO of Brex, a fintech company transforming how startups and enterprises manage credit and financial services. A coding prodigy from a young age, he gained early recognition for developing tools to bring Siri to non-Apple devices before joining forces with Henrique Dubugras to launch Brex in Silicon Valley. Together, they scaled the company into a multibillion-dollar fintech platform, making Franceschi one of the youngest self-made billionaires and a leading voice in the future of global finance and technology.

Henrique Dubugras, Brazilian-born entrepreneur, is the cofounder and co-CEO of Brex, the fintech company revolutionizing corporate credit cards and financial services for startups and enterprises. A tech prodigy, he launched his first startup as a teenager before moving to Silicon Valley, where he and cofounder Pedro Franceschi built Brex into a multibillion-dollar company backed by leading investors. Known for his sharp vision and ability to scale fast-growing businesses, Dubugras has become a defining figure in the new wave of fintech, bridging Silicon Valley innovation with global entrepreneurship.

Geeta Gupta-Fisker, cofounder, CFO, and COO of Fisker Inc., has played a pivotal role in shaping the electric vehicle company’s financial and operational strategy. With a background in investment management and healthcare finance, she has combined disciplined capital allocation with a vision for sustainable innovation. Alongside her husband, Henrik Fisker, she has helped position the company as a challenger in the EV space, driving the launch of models like the Fisker Ocean while focusing on affordability, design, and environmental impact. Gupta-Fisker is recognized for her leadership in both corporate governance and advancing women in business and technology.

Henrik Fisker, Danish-born automotive designer and entrepreneur, is best known for creating some of the world’s most iconic luxury cars and for founding Fisker Inc., an electric vehicle manufacturer. After a celebrated design career at BMW and Aston Martin—where he shaped models like the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin DB9—he launched his own ventures to blend sustainability with high design. Although his first company, Fisker Automotive, faced setbacks, he returned with Fisker Inc., focusing on stylish, affordable EVs like the Fisker Ocean. Renowned for bold creativity and resilience, Fisker remains a leading figure in the push toward sustainable mobility.

Hansjörg Wyss, Swiss billionaire and philanthropist, built his fortune through medical device maker Synthes, which he sold to Johnson & Johnson for nearly $20 billion in 2012. An engineer by training, Wyss expanded Synthes into a global leader in orthopedic implants before turning his focus to large-scale philanthropy. Through the Wyss Foundation, he has committed billions to environmental conservation, scientific research, and public interest journalism, becoming one of the world’s most influential advocates for protecting wild lands and advancing sustainable solutions.

GT Dave, founder and CEO of GT’s Living Foods, is widely credited with bringing kombucha into the mainstream U.S. market. Starting in the mid-1990s from his family’s kitchen in Los Angeles, he transformed a homemade health drink into a billion-dollar brand, now the leading kombucha company in the world. Known as the “King of Kombucha,” Dave built his business without outside investors, maintaining full ownership while expanding into wellness beverages that emphasize authenticity, probiotics, and natural ingredients. His story reflects both entrepreneurial persistence and a passion for health-driven innovation.

George Marcus, Greek-American real estate mogul, is the founder and chairman of Marcus & Millichap, one of the largest commercial real estate brokerage firms in the United States. Since launching the company in 1971, he has expanded it into a nationwide powerhouse specializing in investment sales, financing, research, and advisory services. Beyond brokerage, Marcus also cofounded Essex Property Trust, a publicly traded REIT focused on West Coast multifamily housing, cementing his influence across both transactional and ownership sides of the real estate industry.

George Lucas, filmmaker and entrepreneur, redefined modern cinema with the creation of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, building two of the most successful franchises in history. Beyond directing and producing, he pioneered advances in visual effects and sound through Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, setting new industry standards. In 2012, he sold Lucasfilm to Disney for $4.05 billion, cementing his legacy as both a creative visionary and shrewd businessman. Through the George Lucas Educational Foundation, he has also championed philanthropic efforts in innovative learning.

Geoffrey H. Palmer, founder of G.H. Palmer Associates, is one of Los Angeles’s largest apartment developers, with more than 13,000 units across the metro. He stamped downtown with Italianate mega-complexes like the Medici, Orsini, Piero, Da Vinci, and Lorenzo, and reshaped policy with the 2009 appellate win Palmer v. City of Los Angeles, which limited rental inclusionary mandates under California’s Costa-Hawkins Act. A prolific Republican donor, he remains a powerful—if polarizing—force in L.A. real estate.

Gary Michelson, orthopedic spinal surgeon turned inventor and philanthropist, amassed his fortune through more than 950 patents for medical devices, instruments, and procedures that revolutionized spinal surgery. After a landmark $1.35 billion settlement with Medtronic in 2005 over patent disputes, he shifted his focus to philanthropy, founding the Michelson Medical Research Foundation, Michelson 20MM Foundation for education, and Michelson Found Animals Foundation for animal welfare. His career blends groundbreaking medical innovation with a deep commitment to scientific research, education, and social impact.

Gary Lauder, venture capitalist and heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics fortune, manages Lauder Partners LLC, investing in emerging technologies, communications, and media ventures. Known for his strategic, long-term approach, he has backed numerous early-stage companies while maintaining active involvement in philanthropic initiatives. As a member of the influential Lauder family, he combines the legacy of one of America’s most iconic beauty empires with a forward-looking vision for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO of RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), transformed the home furnishings retailer into a high-end lifestyle brand synonymous with luxury design. Since taking the helm in 2001, he has repositioned the company through bold merchandising, exclusive collections, and immersive gallery spaces that blend retail, hospitality, and experience. Under his leadership, RH’s market value has soared, redefining the intersection of home décor and aspirational living while establishing Friedman as one of retail’s most innovative and uncompromising leaders.

Garrett Camp, Canadian entrepreneur and investor, is best known as the cofounder of Uber and the founder of startup studio Expa. Before reshaping urban transportation with Uber, Camp created StumbleUpon, the pioneering web discovery platform acquired by eBay in 2007. At Uber, his vision helped scale the company from a niche car service into a global ride-hailing giant operating in hundreds of cities. Through Expa, he continues to back and build innovative startups, cementing his reputation as a tech visionary with a knack for disruptive ideas.

Fred Ehrsam, cofounder of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, played a pivotal role in bringing digital assets into the financial mainstream. A former Goldman Sachs trader, he launched Coinbase in 2012 with Brian Armstrong, helping it grow into one of the world’s largest crypto platforms. After stepping back from day-to-day operations in 2017, Ehrsam cofounded Paradigm, a leading crypto-focused investment firm backing blockchain startups and decentralized finance projects. Known for his early conviction in Bitcoin and blockchain technology, he remains a prominent voice shaping the future of digital finance.

Frank Slootman, chairman and CEO of Snowflake, has earned a reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s most effective scale-up leaders, steering three companies to multibillion-dollar valuations. After leading Data Domain and ServiceNow through explosive growth and successful IPOs, he took the helm of Snowflake in 2019, guiding the cloud data platform to a record-breaking $33 billion IPO in 2020. Known for his no-nonsense leadership style and relentless focus on execution, Slootman has become a benchmark for operational excellence in the tech industry.