Matthew Calkins, founder and CEO of Appian, built one of the most enduring low-code software companies by betting early on automation, workflow, and enterprise speed. Launching Appian in 1999, Calkins steered the company through multiple technology cycles, positioning it as a core platform for digital transformation across government and large enterprises. Under his leadership, Appian went public in 2017 and became a recognized leader in low-code development and process automation. Known for his long-term vision, intellectual rigor, and independent thinking, Calkins has maintained founder control while shaping how organizations build and deploy software at scale.

Leon Black, cofounder of Apollo Global Management, is one of the most accomplished private equity investors of the modern era, known for opportunistic deals, distressed investing, and disciplined capital allocation. After a successful career at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Black launched Apollo in 1990 and built it into a multi-hundred-billion-dollar alternative asset powerhouse spanning private equity, credit, and real assets. His tenure included landmark acquisitions, contrarian bets, and a focus on complex, undervalued situations. Although he stepped down from Apollo’s leadership, Black continues to manage his family office and art collection, remaining an influential figure in finance and philanthropy.

Jeffrey Gundlach, founder and CEO of DoubleLine Capital, is one of the most influential bond investors of his generation, often referred to as the “Bond King” for his prescient calls on interest rates, credit cycles, and macroeconomic trends. After rising to prominence at TCW, he launched DoubleLine in 2009, quickly attracting tens of billions in assets and building a reputation for disciplined portfolio construction and rigorous market analysis. Known for his outspoken commentary and data-driven contrarian views, Gundlach has become a key voice shaping fixed-income strategy and broader market sentiment across Wall Street.

James Coulter, cofounder and executive chairman of TPG, is one of the most influential figures in global private equity. Since launching the firm in 1992 with David Bonderman, he has helped build TPG into a diversified investment powerhouse with hundreds of billions in assets under management across buyouts, growth equity, impact investing, real estate, and credit. Known for his strategic vision and early bets on sectors from airlines to healthcare and technology, Coulter has shaped modern private equity while championing initiatives such as TPG Rise, one of the largest impact investment platforms in the world.

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.

Greg Jensen, co–chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates, helps oversee the world’s largest hedge fund with more than $150 billion under management. Joining the firm in 1996, he rose through the ranks under founder Ray Dalio to become one of Bridgewater’s top strategists, shaping its macroeconomic research and investment frameworks. Known for his analytical rigor and role in refining the firm’s “Principles”-driven culture, Jensen has been instrumental in maintaining Bridgewater’s dominance in global macro investing and guiding its long-term strategic direction.

David J. “Dave” Girouard is the American tech executive and fintech innovator who co-founded Upstart in 2012 and has led as CEO through its public listing on Nasdaq. A former President of Google Enterprise, he built Google’s billion‑dollar cloud apps business before founding Upstart to revolutionize consumer lending using AI and alternative data.

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 Trefler is the founder and CEO of Pegasystems, a global leader in AI-powered business process automation and customer engagement software. A former chess prodigy and systems architect, Trefler has built Pegasystems into a multibillion-dollar enterprise serving Fortune 500 clients worldwide. He is also a thought leader in digital transformation and enterprise AI.