Peter Gassner, cofounder and CEO of Veeva Systems, built one of the most successful vertical software companies by focusing exclusively on cloud solutions for the life sciences industry. After an early career at Salesforce, where he helped scale enterprise cloud adoption, Gassner launched Veeva in 2007 to serve pharmaceutical and biotech companies with regulated, mission-critical applications. Under his leadership, Veeva became a publicly traded, highly profitable software company known for deep industry specialization, long-term customer relationships, and disciplined execution. Gassner’s approach exemplifies the power of focus and vertical expertise in enterprise software.

Naveen Jain, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, is best known for building companies that tackle large-scale problems in health, space, and data science. After founding InfoSpace during the early internet era, Jain went on to launch ventures such as Moon Express, focused on commercial lunar exploration, and Viome, which applies AI and molecular analysis to personalized health and longevity. Known for his “moonshot” mindset, he consistently targets industries where exponential technology can disrupt entrenched models. Jain’s work blends bold vision with scientific ambition, positioning him as a distinctive force at the intersection of entrepreneurship and frontier innovation.

Mitchell Rales, cofounder of Danaher Corporation, is one of America’s most successful industrial builders, known for pairing disciplined capital allocation with a relentless focus on operational excellence. Alongside his brother Steven, Rales transformed Danaher from a small real estate company into a global science and technology conglomerate by pioneering the Danaher Business System, a management framework rooted in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing. After stepping back from day-to-day operations, Rales has remained an influential investor and philanthropist, supporting education, public policy, and cultural institutions through the Rales Foundation and Glenstone Museum.

Joseph Edelman, founder and CEO of Perceptive Advisors, is one of the most successful and influential biotech hedge fund managers of the modern era. Since launching the firm in 1999, he has built Perceptive into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse specializing in life sciences, backing breakthrough companies across biotechnology, medical devices, and healthcare innovation. Known for his deep scientific understanding, high-conviction portfolio strategy, and early identification of transformative therapies, Edelman has consistently ranked among the top performers in healthcare investing. His disciplined, research-driven approach has made Perceptive a critical source of capital for emerging biotech and a defining force in the global life sciences ecosystem.