Peter Thiel, cofounder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential and contrarian thinkers, known for backing companies that challenge consensus and reshape entire industries. As an early investor in Facebook and the first outside investor in several category-defining startups, Thiel helped popularize a philosophy centered on building monopolies through deep technology rather than incremental competition. Through Founders Fund, he has backed transformative ventures across software, defense, biotech, and space. Thiel’s impact extends beyond investing into ideas, shaping debates around technology, globalization, and the future of innovation.

Nicolas Berggruen, investor and philanthropist, built a global reputation as a contrarian thinker blending capital, policy, and long-term societal vision. Founder of Berggruen Holdings and the Berggruen Institute, he has invested across real estate, finance, and special situations while championing ideas around governance reform, technology, and globalization. Known for his unconventional lifestyle and intellectual focus, Berggruen has positioned himself less as a traditional financier and more as a patron of cross-disciplinary thought, convening global leaders to address structural challenges facing modern societies.

Martin Selig, founder and chairman of Martin Selig Real Estate, is one of Seattle’s most prominent commercial real estate developers, having shaped much of the city’s modern office landscape. Beginning in the 1970s, Selig built a vast portfolio of downtown office towers and mixed-use properties, often taking a contrarian approach by developing during market downturns and holding assets long term. Known for his bold architecture, aggressive expansion, and willingness to challenge conventional real estate cycles, Selig became a defining figure in Pacific Northwest commercial property. His career reflects decades of high-conviction development and enduring influence on Seattle’s urban core.

Henry Jarecki, psychiatrist-turned-financier, built his fortune through trading and investment ventures after an early career in medicine. He founded and led several successful commodities and securities firms, including Mocatta Metals and Brody White & Co., becoming a prominent figure in the global precious metals market. Beyond finance, Jarecki has been a dedicated philanthropist and supporter of scientific research, education, and cultural initiatives, channeling his wealth into causes ranging from marine conservation to academic institutions. His unique path from medicine to markets highlights both intellectual range and entrepreneurial vision.

Frank Laukien, chairman, president, and CEO of Bruker Corporation, has built the scientific instruments maker into a global leader in analytical and diagnostic solutions. Taking the helm of the company founded by his father, Laukien expanded its product portfolio across life sciences, materials research, and industrial applications, serving top research institutions and laboratories worldwide. A physicist by training, he has guided Bruker’s growth through innovation-driven acquisitions and a focus on precision technologies, securing its reputation as a critical partner in advancing scientific discovery.

Egon Pierre Durban is a billionaire computer scientist turned private equity leader. He joined Silver Lake in 1999 as a founding principal and rose to co‑CEO in December 2019. As lead dealmaker, Durban has steered headline investments including Skype, Airbnb, Twitter, Dell, and Endeavor Group—helping Silver Lake grow to ~$104 billion in AUM and stake major influence across tech, media, and sports.

Christian W. E. Haub is the German‑American CEO and majority stakeholder of Tengelmann Group, the global retail conglomerate founded by his family in 1867. Since 2018, he has consolidated leadership—acquiring a controlling share after his brother Karl‑Erivan’s disappearance—and now oversees operations in discount grocery, e-commerce, and retail across Europe and North America. He also leads Emil Capital Partners, holds board roles in Metro Inc. and Boston College, and is known for his strategic vision and reputable family legacy.