Lloyd Blankfein, former chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, led one of the world’s most powerful financial institutions through a transformative and turbulent era, including the 2008 global financial crisis. Rising from a commodities trader to the top of the firm, Blankfein strengthened Goldman’s global reach across investment banking, trading, and asset management while navigating regulatory shifts and market upheaval. Known for his sharp intellect, resilience, and candid public presence, he became one of Wall Street’s most recognizable figures. Since stepping down, he remains active in finance, policy discussions, and philanthropy, advising companies and contributing to major civic initiatives.

Josh Kushner, founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital, is one of the most influential venture investors of his generation, backing category-defining companies across fintech, healthcare, and consumer technology. Since launching Thrive in 2009, he has led early or transformative investments in firms such as Instagram, Stripe, Spotify, GitHub, and OpenAI, building Thrive into a multi-billion-dollar venture platform known for disciplined underwriting and long-horizon conviction. Kushner is also the cofounder of Oscar Health, a technology-driven insurer reshaping the U.S. healthcare landscape. With a rare combination of entrepreneurial experience, investment acumen, and strategic clarity, he has become a central force in shaping the next era of digital innovation.

Joseph Bae, co-CEO of KKR, is one of the most powerful private equity leaders of his generation, having played a central role in transforming the firm from a classic buyout shop into a diversified global investment powerhouse. Joining KKR in 1996, he spearheaded the firm’s expansion across Asia—building its offices, teams, and flagship funds—before taking on broader leadership of global private equity, growth, credit, and infrastructure platforms. As co-CEO, Bae oversees hundreds of billions in assets and helps set the strategic direction of one of the world’s most influential alternative asset managers. Known for his global mindset, disciplined dealmaking, and talent-building leadership, he remains a defining voice in the evolution of modern private equity.

John Collison, cofounder and president of Stripe, is one of the youngest self-made billionaires in tech, helping build the financial infrastructure that powers much of the modern internet economy. Alongside his brother Patrick, he launched Stripe in 2010 to simplify online payments for developers and businesses, growing it into a global platform used by millions of companies—from startups to industry giants like Amazon and Lyft. Known for his product discipline, engineering rigor, and long-term focus on expanding digital commerce, Collison has positioned Stripe as a cornerstone of global fintech, enabling seamless payments and financial services across over 100 countries.

Jamie Dinan, founder and CEO of York Capital Management, is one of the most respected figures in the hedge fund world, known for his disciplined event-driven and distressed investing strategies. After losing his entire savings during the 1987 market crash, Dinan rebuilt his career and launched York in 1991 with just $3.6 million, growing it into a multibillion-dollar global firm with offices in New York, London, and Hong Kong. Renowned for his resilience, rigorous analysis, and long-term perspective, Dinan also holds ownership stakes in major sports franchises and is an active philanthropist in education and healthcare.

Jim Koch, founder and chairman of The Boston Beer Company, helped ignite America’s craft beer revolution by turning a family beer recipe into the iconic Samuel Adams brand. Launching the company in 1984 from his kitchen, Koch built it into one of the largest and most influential craft brewers in the United States, known for quality, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to traditional brewing principles. Under his leadership, Boston Beer expanded into hard seltzers, ciders, and spirits while maintaining its independent ethos. Koch’s entrepreneurial grit and industry leadership have made him one of the most respected figures in American brewing.

Jack Dangermond, founder and president of Esri, is a pioneering figure in geographic information systems (GIS) and digital mapping technology. Since founding the company in 1969 with his wife, Laura, he has transformed Esri into the global leader in GIS software, used by governments, businesses, and researchers in more than 100 countries. A landscape architect by training, Dangermond has combined environmental vision with technological innovation to help organizations make data-driven decisions about land use, sustainability, and urban planning. A dedicated philanthropist, he has donated hundreds of millions to environmental conservation and education.

Hamilton “Tony” James, veteran financier and former executive vice chairman of Blackstone, played a central role in building the firm into the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Joining Blackstone in 2002 after a long career at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Credit Suisse, he helped drive its expansion across private equity, real estate, credit, and hedge fund solutions. Known for his strategic vision and operational discipline, James also became a trusted voice in public policy and philanthropy, cementing his reputation as one of Wall Street’s most influential dealmakers.

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.

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.

Dirk Edward Ziff is an American billionaire investor and media heir—the eldest son of William B. Ziff Jr., who sold the Ziff‑Davis publishing empire for $1.4 billion in 1994. Along with his brothers, Dirk formed Ziff Brothers Investments, spanning hedge funds, private equity, real estate, commodities, and seed‑stage finance. He later seeded Daniel Och’s Och‑Ziff Capital Management before dissolving the partnership in 2014 to invest independently.

J. Christopher “Chris” Flowers is a Harvard‑trained private equity investor and managing director & CEO of J.C. Flowers & Co., the premier global firm specializing in financial‑services investments. A former Goldman Sachs partner, Flowers made his name by steering the Shinsei Bank turnaround and advising AIG and Bank of America during the 2008 financial crisis. His firm has backed marquee deals like OSB, Elephant Insurance, and Jefferson Capital.

Tyler Winklevoss is an American entrepreneur, investor, and former Olympic rower. A Harvard economics graduate and Oxford MBA, he co‑founded ConnectU and then downplayed his Facebook settlement to become one of the first Bitcoin billionaires. In 2014, he launched Gemini—now a leading regulated U.S. crypto exchange—and Winklevoss Capital, investing early in Bitcoin and backing tech startups. Notably, he is now exploring an IPO for Gemini. 

Cameron Winklevoss is an American entrepreneur, former Olympic rower, and co‑founder & President of Gemini—the regulated cryptocurrency exchange he launched with his twin brother Tyler in 2014. After co‑founding social network ConnectU and settling a high‑profile lawsuit with Facebook, the Winklevoss twins invested early in Bitcoin—owning about 1 % of all BTC by 2013—and became among the first Bitcoin billionaires. Today, they control Gemini and Winklevoss Capital Management, investing in startups and crypto innovation while maintaining a quiet, highly disciplined presence.

Bruce Kovner is a self-made hedge fund billionaire and the founder of Caxton Associates in 1983, the global macro fund he led for nearly three decades. A Harvard graduate who once drove a NYC taxi and dabbled in harpsichord before launching a career in trading, Kovner turned $3,000 borrowed on a credit card into billions—later retiring to manage his firm CAM Capital and lead elite arts and education philanthropy.

Andrew Bialecki is the co‑founder and CEO of Klaviyo, the Boston‑based marketing automation unicorn. A Harvard‑trained engineer and physicist, he bootstrapped Klaviyo since 2012 and retained a rare ~38% ownership at IPO, guiding the company to a multibillion-dollar valuation through disciplined, data‑driven growth.

Alejandro Santo Domingo is a Colombian-American financier and heir to the Santo Domingo Group, one of Latin America’s most prominent business dynasties. As managing director of Quadrant Capital Advisors and a board member of Anheuser-Busch InBev, he oversees investments spanning beverages, finance, and media.

George Kaiser is an American billionaire businessman, philanthropist, and chairman of BOK Financial Corporation. He is known for his substantial contributions to education, healthcare, and early childhood development through the George Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser maintains a low public profile despite his considerable wealth and influence.

Jorge Paulo Lemann is a Brazilian-Swiss billionaire, investment banker, and businessman. He is one of the founders of 3G Capital, a global investment firm known for its acquisitions of major companies such as Anheuser-Busch, Burger King, and Heinz. Lemann is also recognized for his low-profile lifestyle despite his significant wealth and influence in global business.

Eduardo Saverin is a Brazilian entrepreneur and angel investor best known as one of the co-founders of Facebook. Currently based in Singapore, he has diversified his investments across various sectors, primarily focusing on technology and finance.