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.

Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani, transformed the U.S. yogurt market by popularizing Greek yogurt and building a multibillion-dollar food company from humble beginnings. An immigrant from Turkey, he bought a shuttered Kraft plant in upstate New York in 2005 and grew Chobani into America’s top-selling yogurt brand through bold marketing, product innovation, and a commitment to quality. Known for his “anti-CEO” ethos, Ulukaya has championed employee ownership, progressive workplace policies, and refugee support initiatives, redefining what it means to build a purpose-driven business.

Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner and chairman of the New York Yankees, inherited leadership of Major League Baseball’s most iconic franchise from his father, George Steinbrenner. Since assuming control in 2008, he has balanced the legacy of the Yankees’ storied past with the financial and operational demands of modern sports management. Under his stewardship, the team has continued to rank among the most valuable sports franchises in the world, leveraging brand power, media rights, and stadium operations while maintaining its pursuit of championships.

Gregg Hymowitz, founder, chairman, and CEO of EnTrust Global, has built one of the world’s leading alternative investment firms, managing billions across hedge funds, private equity, real assets, and impact investments. With a career spanning decades in finance, Hymowitz launched EnTrust in 1997 and later orchestrated its merger with Permal to expand global reach. Known for his innovative approach to portfolio construction and commitment to ESG strategies, he has positioned EnTrust Global as a trusted partner for institutional investors worldwide.

Glenn Sanford, founder and CEO of eXp World Holdings, revolutionized real estate brokerage with the creation of eXp Realty, a cloud-based platform that eliminated the need for traditional offices. Since launching the company in 2009, he has scaled it into one of the fastest-growing real estate brokerages in the world, with tens of thousands of agents operating across multiple countries. Known for his focus on technology, collaboration, and agent ownership, Sanford has redefined how real estate professionals work and share in the success of their brokerage.

Glen A. Taylor, Minnesota billionaire businessman, built his fortune through Taylor Corporation, one of the largest privately held printing and marketing companies in the U.S. Starting as an employee, he bought the company in 1975 and expanded it into a diversified enterprise spanning printing, communications, and technology solutions. Beyond business, Taylor is well known as owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, as well as a former state senator. His career blends entrepreneurship, sports ownership, and community engagement, making him a prominent figure in both business and civic life.

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.

Gary Rollins, vice chairman and CEO of Rollins Inc., has overseen the transformation of the family’s pest control business into a global industry leader. Best known for its flagship brand Orkin, Rollins Inc. operates in more than 70 countries, providing residential and commercial pest management services. A member of one of America’s wealthiest families, Rollins has maintained steady growth through acquisitions, operational efficiency, and a focus on customer service, cementing the company’s dominance in a competitive market.

Gabe Newell, cofounder and president of Valve Corporation, turned a small game studio into one of the most influential forces in the video game industry. After leaving Microsoft in 1996, he launched Valve with Mike Harrington, debuting the groundbreaking title Half-Life and later creating the Steam platform, which revolutionized digital game distribution. Under Newell’s leadership, Valve has become a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse known for innovation, fan engagement, and industry-defining franchises, making him one of gaming’s most respected and enigmatic figures.

Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, Saudi billionaire investor and philanthropist, is the founder and chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, a global investment powerhouse with stakes in banking, hospitality, real estate, and technology. Known for high-profile holdings in companies like Citigroup, Four Seasons Hotels, and Twitter, he has combined bold, long-term investments with a flair for global deal-making. A member of the Saudi royal family, Al Waleed has also pledged the majority of his wealth to philanthropy, reinforcing his image as both a shrewd businessman and a global humanitarian.

Frank VanderSloot, founder and CEO of Melaleuca, transformed a small wellness startup into a billion-dollar direct-marketing giant offering nutritional, personal care, and household products. Since launching the Idaho-based company in 1985, he has built a network serving millions of customers across multiple countries, leveraging a unique referral-based model. A vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and conservative causes, VanderSloot has combined business acumen with philanthropic initiatives, cementing his status as one of America’s most successful self-made entrepreneurs in the health and wellness industry.

Frank McCourt, real estate developer and former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, built his fortune through large-scale property holdings and high-profile sports investments. After selling the Dodgers in 2012 for a record $2.15 billion, he expanded his portfolio through McCourt Global, a diversified enterprise spanning real estate, sports, media, and technology. Known for bold, often controversial deals, McCourt has also turned his attention to digital infrastructure projects aimed at rethinking data ownership, positioning himself as both a traditional asset mogul and a forward-looking tech investor.

Herbert Fisk “Fisk” Johnson III is the fifth-generation leader of S. C. Johnson, the iconic cleaning‑products company founded in 1886. A Cornell alumnus with multiple degrees (BA, MEng, MS, MBA, PhD), he joined the family business in 1987 and became CEO in 2004. Known for his environmental advocacy and scientific approach, Johnson champions sustainable packaging and pulled SC Johnson into the fight against plastic waste.

Evan Clark “Ev” Williams is an American pioneer of the social internet. He co-founded Pyra Labs, created Blogger, served as CEO of Twitter (2008–2010), and launched Medium, a leading long-form publishing platform. A graduate by drop‑out who popularized blogging and micro‑blogging, he now leads the impact investment firm Obvious Ventures.

Edward Perry “Ed” Bass is a Texas oil heir, financier, philanthropist, and environmental advocate. A Yale alumnus, he is the chairman of venture firm Fine Line and co-founded the avant‑garde Biosphere 2 project in Arizona. He spearheaded Fort Worth’s Sundance Square urban renewal, built the acclaimed Bass Performance Hall, and oversees conservation land holdings across Kansas prairies through his Philecology Trust. 

Douglas F. “Doug” Meijer is the co-chairman of Meijer, the Midwest supercenter chain founded by his grandfather in 1934. Together with his brother Hank, he overseen growth to over 250 stores across six U.S. states, helping the firm generate more than $21 billion in annual revenues. Doug is likewise committed to philanthropy and mental health awareness, having publicly shared his own experience with depression since 2011.

Sir Dennis Barry Gillings, CBE, PhD is a British-American statistician, entrepreneur, and healthcare innovator. In 1982, he co-founded Quintiles, which merged with IMS Health in 2016 to become IQVIA, the global leader in clinical research and healthcare data services. He took Quintiles public in 1994 and privatized it in 2003 before retiring as executive chairman in 2015. The UNC School of Public Health is named in his honor following a landmark donation.

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 Einhorn is the founder and president of Greenlight Capital, a value-oriented long/short hedge fund founded in 1996. Known for accurately shorting Lehman Brothers and Allied Capital, he built Greenlight into a firm delivering annualized returns around 15–26% in its early years. In early 2025, the fund gained ~12%—with gold leading portfolio performance—even amid a bearish pivot during volatile markets.

David Booth is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Dimensional Fund Advisors, the global investment firm he launched in 1981 after studying under Eugene Fama at the University of Chicago. His firm pioneered factor-based investing and now manages over $800 billion in AUM. A major philanthropist, he gifted $300 million to name Chicago Booth School of Business.