Henry Kravis, cofounder and co-executive chairman of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), is a pioneer of the leveraged buyout industry and one of private equity’s most influential figures. Alongside Jerome Kohlberg and George Roberts, he helped establish KKR in 1976, building it into a global investment powerhouse managing hundreds of billions in assets. Kravis became a Wall Street icon through landmark deals such as the record-setting acquisition of RJR Nabisco, chronicled in Barbarians at the Gate. Known for his dealmaking acumen and philanthropic contributions, he has shaped both modern finance and charitable giving.

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.

Evan Sharp is the American entrepreneur and design visionary who co‑founded Pinterest in 2010 alongside Ben Silbermann and Paul Sciarra. An architecture graduate from the University of Chicago and Columbia GSAPP alumnus, Sharp led the product’s signature grid design and served as Chief Design & Creative Officer. Known for infusing visual simplicity into engineering, he helped Pinterest evolve from a side project into a global platform with hundreds of millions of users.

Eldrick Tont “Tiger” Woods is widely considered one of golf’s greatest players and one of the few athlete‑billionaires. With 82 PGA Tour wins including 15 majors, he pioneered global value in golf and re‑energized the sport after his 2021 car crash. Woods also owns ventures including PopStroke mini‑golf courses, a restaurant, golf‑course design business, and co-founded TMRW Sports and TGL with Rory McIlroy. Today, he remains active despite injuries and maintains a 15‑time major winner legacy. 

Anthony Pritzker is an heir to the Pritzker family fortune (Hyatt Hotels) and Managing Partner of Pritzker Private Capital. A Dartmouth and University of Chicago MBA graduate, he has steered middle‑market acquisitions while supporting environmental, arts, and educational causes through UCLA and RAND. His low‑profile leadership focuses on operational discipline and civic impact.

Alan Gerry is a pioneering entrepreneur and the founder of Cablevision Industries, once the largest privately owned cable television company in the U.S. A self-made billionaire and former TV repairman, Gerry revolutionized rural cable access and later became a prominent philanthropist, supporting arts, healthcare, and education through the Gerry Foundation.

Lorenzo Fertitta is an American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist best known for his role in transforming the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) into a global sports phenomenon. As a co-founder of Zuffa, LLC, and former CEO of UFC, Fertitta has had a significant impact on the sports and entertainment industry. His business acumen extends to gaming, hospitality, and investments, positioning him as one of the most influential figures in modern sports management.

Vladimir Potanin is a Russian billionaire and oligarch, known for his vast wealth accumulated through the Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of nickel and palladium. He played a crucial role in the privatization of Russian industries in the 1990s and has since maintained a significant influence in the mining and metals sector.

Daniel Gilbert is an American billionaire businessman and co-founder of Quicken Loans, the largest mortgage lender in the United States. He is also the owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and a significant figure in the revitalization of Detroit. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and community-focused initiatives, Gilbert has made substantial contributions to both the business world and his local community.

Colin Huang, also known as Huang Zheng, is a Chinese entrepreneur and the founder of Pinduoduo, one of China's largest e-commerce platforms. Known for his innovative approach to online retail, Huang has become one of the wealthiest individuals in China, significantly impacting the e-commerce industry.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, is a pioneering entrepreneur who has revolutionized e-commerce and space travel. His business acumen, coupled with his significant philanthropic efforts, positions him as one of the most influential figures in the modern era.