Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO of RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), transformed the home furnishings retailer into a high-end lifestyle brand synonymous with luxury design. Since taking the helm in 2001, he has repositioned the company through bold merchandising, exclusive collections, and immersive gallery spaces that blend retail, hospitality, and experience. Under his leadership, RH’s market value has soared, redefining the intersection of home décor and aspirational living while establishing Friedman as one of retail’s most innovative and uncompromising leaders.

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.

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.

Donald E. “Don” Friese rose from an orphanage in rural Pennsylvania to become a self-made billionaire. He joined C.R. Laurence in 1961 as a warehouse worker, bought full ownership by the 1990s, and grew it into the largest glazing‑supplies company in the U.S. He sold the business in 2015 for $1.3 billion while personally gifting more than $86 million in bonuses to employees and remains active philanthropically through the Friese Foundation. 

Dean Solon is a self‑made billionaire and founder of Shoals Technologies Group, a leading provider of electrical balance-of-systems gear for solar farms. He took Shoals public in January 2021 and still owns about 40% of the company. Despite the IPO windfall, Solon remains hands‑on—recently launching Create Energy, a vertically integrated solar manufacturing venture aimed at reshaping the industry with U.S.-based production. 

J. Christopher “Chris” Burch is an American entrepreneur and investor who founded Burch Creative Capital and co-founded Tory Burch LLC. A self-made billionaire, he started with Eagle’s Eye apparel—sold for $60 million—and built a diverse investment portfolio spanning fashion (BaubleBar, STAUD), hospitality (Faena Hotel + Universe, Nihiwatu resort), and consumer tech (Jawbone, Poppin). Known for his artistic aesthetic and creative ventures, he also launched C. Wonder and invests globally in lifestyle and venture brands.

Carl Cook is an American billionaire and chief executive of Cook Group, the prominent medical device company founded by his parents, William and Gayle Cook. A Purdue engineering graduate and University of Iowa MBA, he took over as CEO in 2011 following his father’s passing. Today, he leads the firm’s expansion across diagnostics, life sciences, and cell-therapy research via Cook MyoSite. Known for his low-profile leadership, Cook oversees a multibillion-dollar legacy while quietly advancing medical innovation.

Anthony Pritzker is an heir to the Pritzker family fortune (Hyatt Hotels) and Managing Partner of Pritzker Private Capital. A Dartmouth and University of Chicago MBA graduate, he has steered middle‑market acquisitions while supporting environmental, arts, and educational causes through UCLA and RAND. His low‑profile leadership focuses on operational discipline and civic impact.

Anthony Pratt is the Australian‑born billionaire and executive chairman of Visy Industries and Pratt Industries USA—collectively the world’s largest privately owned paper, packaging, and recycling firm. Under his leadership, the company has expanded to over 70 U.S. factories and pledged a $5 billion investment to create 5,000 American manufacturing jobs, aligning business growth with sustainability and global impact.

Ravi Jaipuria is an Indian billionaire and a prominent figure in the beverage and fast-food industry, particularly known for his association with PepsiCo and RJ Corp. He has significantly expanded his business empire, making substantial contributions to the food and beverage sector in India and other emerging markets.

Susanne Klatten is a German businesswoman and billionaire heiress, known for her significant stakes in BMW and pharmaceutical company Altana. As one of the richest women in the world, Klatten has played a pivotal role in expanding her family's business empire and is renowned for her discreet but powerful presence in the business world.

Stefan Quandt is a German billionaire industrialist and the major shareholder of BMW, a global automotive giant. He is known for his strategic investments in various sectors and maintaining the family's legacy in the automotive industry.

He Xiangjian is a prominent Chinese businessman, known for founding Midea Group, one of the world's largest manufacturers of electrical appliances. With a keen eye for innovation and expansion, He Xiangjian has made significant contributions to the global appliance industry.

Robin Zeng is a Chinese billionaire businessman and the founder of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), the world's largest maker of lithium-ion batteries. Known for his innovative contributions to the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Zeng has significantly influenced the global transition towards sustainable energy.

Iris Fontbona is a Chilean billionaire businesswoman and widow of Andrónico Luksic, the founder of Antofagasta PLC, one of the world's largest copper mining companies. She oversees the Luksic Group's interests, making her one of the wealthiest individuals in Latin America.