Marc Rowan, cofounder and CEO of Apollo Global Management, is one of the most influential figures in alternative investing, helping build Apollo into a global powerhouse across private equity, credit, and real assets. After beginning his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Rowan co-launched Apollo in 1990, developing its reputation for contrarian investing, distressed opportunities, and disciplined capital allocation. As CEO, he has overseen Apollo’s evolution into a diversified asset manager with a strong emphasis on credit, insurance partnerships, and long-term yield strategies. Known for his analytical rigor and understated leadership, Rowan stands at the center of modern private markets.

Marc Lasry, cofounder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, is one of the most recognized figures in distressed-debt investing, building a multibillion-dollar platform focused on undervalued and special-situation assets around the world. After early success at Amroc Investments, Lasry launched Avenue in 1995 with his sister Sonia, developing a global reputation for navigating complex restructurings and capitalizing on market dislocations. Beyond finance, he is known for his high-profile role in professional sports as former co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, helping oversee the team’s rise to NBA championship status. Lasry’s mix of investment discipline, global perspective, and civic engagement has made him a defining voice in alternative assets.

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.

Leslie Wexner, founder of L Brands, is one of the most influential figures in American retail, having built Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and a portfolio of iconic mall brands that helped define modern specialty retail. Starting with a single apparel store in 1963, Wexner created a multi-billion-dollar empire through sharp merchandising instincts, aggressive expansion, and a deep understanding of consumer psychology. For decades, he set the pace in fashion and retail strategy, while also becoming a major philanthropist supporting education, healthcare, and the arts. Though he has stepped back from the company, Wexner remains a towering figure in the retail industry’s evolution.

Leonid Radvinsky, entrepreneur and owner of Fenix International, transformed OnlyFans into one of the most profitable creator platforms in the digital economy. With a background in building subscription-based and user-generated content businesses, Radvinsky acquired OnlyFans in 2018 and oversaw its explosive growth, turning it into a multibillion-dollar marketplace where creators directly monetize their audiences. His strategy centered on frictionless payments, global accessibility, and empowering creators with high revenue shares. Despite maintaining an extremely low public profile, Radvinsky remains a pivotal figure in the creator economy, shaping how digital content is produced, distributed, and monetized.

Leon Cooperman, founder of Omega Advisors, is one of Wall Street’s most respected value investors, known for decades of disciplined stock-picking and outspoken market commentary. After a long career at Goldman Sachs, where he led the asset management division, Cooperman launched Omega in 1991 and produced strong returns through concentrated, research-driven investing in equities and credit. Though he has since converted Omega into a family office, he remains active in markets and philanthropy, donating hundreds of millions to education, medical research, and Jewish causes. Cooperman’s blend of candor, conviction, and lifelong commitment to investing has made him a defining figure in the hedge fund era.

Kenneth Moelis, founder, chairman, and CEO of Moelis & Company, is one of Wall Street’s most accomplished investment bankers, known for his leadership in strategic advisory and restructuring. After senior roles at Drexel Burnham, DLJ, and UBS, he launched Moelis & Company in 2007, building it into a global advisory firm recognized for high-touch client service, complex M&A execution, and deep sector expertise. Moelis has advised on some of the most high-profile transactions of the past two decades, while maintaining a distinctive culture that emphasizes partnership, meritocracy, and client alignment. His entrepreneurial flair and long-term discipline have made him a defining figure in modern investment banking.

Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, has built the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment, stewarding iconic brands such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Disney on Ice, Marvel Universe Live, and Monster Jam. Taking over the business from his father Irvin, Feld expanded a single circus operation into a global touring empire that stages thousands of shows annually across dozens of countries. Known for meticulous show production, operational scale, and brand partnerships with entertainment giants like Disney, Feld has shaped live family entertainment for generations while keeping the company privately held and family-led.

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 Chetrit, founder of the Chetrit Group, is one of New York’s most enigmatic and influential real estate investors, known for executing some of the city’s largest and most complex property deals with minimal public profile. After building an early fortune in textiles, Chetrit shifted into real estate in the 1990s, assembling a multibillion-dollar portfolio that includes office towers, residential conversions, hotels, and landmark properties across Manhattan, Miami, Los Angeles, and beyond. His firm has been involved in major transactions such as the Sears Tower sale, the Chelsea Hotel redevelopment, and large-scale waterfront projects. Chetrit’s combination of discretion, scale, and contrarian timing has made him a defining—if quietly spoken—force in American real estate.

Yuri Milner, tech investor and science philanthropist, is one of the most influential figures in global venture capital through his firm DST Global, which backed companies such as Facebook, Airbnb, Spotify, Alibaba, and ByteDance long before they became industry giants. A former physicist, Milner is known for his data-driven approach to identifying transformative internet businesses and for shaping a new model of late-stage tech investing. Beyond finance, he cofounded the Breakthrough Prizes—often called the “Oscars of Science”—and launched initiatives supporting fundamental research, SETI, and human curiosity, establishing himself as one of the world’s leading patrons of science and discovery.

Jeff Rothschild, veteran engineer and early Facebook executive, played a pivotal role in scaling the social network from a college startup into a global technology platform serving billions. Joining Facebook in 2005 as its first vice president of infrastructure, he helped design and stabilize the company’s backend systems during its period of explosive growth, ensuring its reliability as usage surged worldwide. Before Facebook, Rothschild cofounded several successful technology companies and later became a longtime advisor and venture partner at Accel, shaping investment strategies in consumer and enterprise software. Quiet and deeply technical, he remains one of Silicon Valley’s most influential behind-the-scenes architects.

Jay Schottenstein, chairman and CEO of American Eagle Outfitters and head of the Schottenstein family’s retail empire, has spent decades shaping some of America’s most recognizable consumer brands. Under his leadership, American Eagle evolved into a multibillion-dollar global apparel company, driven by strong lifestyle positioning and the runaway success of Aerie. Beyond fashion, Schottenstein oversees a vast portfolio that spans furniture retail, real estate, and private investments, including leadership roles within Schottenstein Stores Corporation. Known for his disciplined operational approach and long-term family stewardship, he remains one of the most influential figures in the U.S. retail sector.

Israel Englander, billionaire hedge fund manager, is the founder and CEO of Millennium Management, one of the world’s largest and most successful multi-strategy hedge funds. Launching the firm in 1989 with $35 million, he has grown Millennium into a powerhouse managing more than $50 billion in assets, employing a decentralized model with hundreds of portfolio managers. Known for his risk management discipline and ability to adapt to shifting markets, Englander has built a reputation as one of the most influential figures in modern hedge fund investing.

Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, built one of the world’s largest privately held toy companies, best known for creating the global hit Bratz dolls and, more recently, the L.O.L. Surprise! franchise. An Iranian-born immigrant, Larian started with a small import business before transforming it into a multibillion-dollar toy empire that competes with industry giants like Mattel and Hasbro. Known for his bold marketing strategies and willingness to take creative risks, he has made MGA a dominant force in the global toy market while also engaging in philanthropy and outspoken advocacy on industry issues.

Irwin Jacobs, cofounder and former CEO of Qualcomm, is a pioneering engineer and entrepreneur who helped revolutionize wireless communications. After an academic career at MIT and UC San Diego, he launched Qualcomm in 1985, driving the development and commercialization of CDMA technology, which became the global standard for mobile networks. Under his leadership, Qualcomm grew into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse at the heart of the mobile phone industry. Beyond technology, Jacobs is a noted philanthropist, supporting education, science, and the arts, particularly in San Diego, where his contributions have had lasting civic impact.

Ira Rennert, billionaire industrialist, is the founder of Renco Group, a private holding company with investments in mining, metals, manufacturing, and defense. Starting in the 1970s with junk bonds, he expanded into heavy industry, building a diversified empire that has included steel, magnesium, and automotive companies. Known for his controversial business practices as well as his immense wealth, Rennert also drew attention for constructing one of the largest private homes in the United States, the 62,000-square-foot Fair Field estate in the Hamptons. Despite criticism, he remains a powerful and enduring figure in American industry and finance.

Howard Schultz, former longtime CEO and chairman emeritus of Starbucks, transformed a small Seattle coffee chain into a global brand with more than 35,000 stores worldwide. Inspired by Italy’s espresso culture, he built Starbucks into a company that blended premium coffee with community-driven “third place” experiences. Schultz became known not only for scaling the brand into a multibillion-dollar enterprise but also for his focus on employee benefits, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility. A visionary entrepreneur and occasional political voice, he remains one of the most influential figures in modern retail and consumer culture.

Herbert Wertheim, optometrist, inventor, and investor, built his fortune through a mix of innovation in vision care and shrewd long-term investing. Founder of Brain Power Inc., he developed tints and protective coatings for eyeglass lenses that became widely adopted in the optical industry. Beyond his business, Wertheim amassed a multibillion-dollar portfolio by investing early in companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Intel, often reinvesting dividends over decades. A noted philanthropist, he has pledged much of his wealth to education, science, and medical research, cementing his legacy as both a pioneer and a benefactor.

David Simon, chairman, CEO, and president of Simon Property Group, has led the company to become the largest shopping mall operator in the United States and a global leader in retail real estate. Taking over leadership in the mid-1990s, he steered the Indianapolis-based firm through major acquisitions, including the purchase of Taubman Centers, and successfully navigated challenges posed by e-commerce and shifting consumer trends. Under his guidance, Simon Property Group has maintained dominance with hundreds of malls and premium outlets, while Simon himself has earned a reputation as one of the most influential executives in American real estate.