Hartley Rogers, chairman of Hamilton Lane, has guided the investment management firm into a global leader in private markets solutions. With decades of experience in private equity and alternative investments, he helped scale Hamilton Lane’s platform to manage and advise on hundreds of billions in assets for institutional clients worldwide. Known for his strategic leadership and deep industry expertise, Rogers has positioned the firm at the forefront of private markets investing, while also serving on boards and engaging in philanthropic initiatives.

Harry Stine, founder of Stine Seed Company, is America’s richest farmer and a pioneer in agricultural genetics. Starting from his family farm in Iowa, he built a multibillion-dollar seed empire by licensing advanced soybean and corn genetics to major agribusinesses like Monsanto, Syngenta, and Corteva. Known for his relentless focus on research and intellectual property, Stine has played a central role in shaping modern farming practices, while maintaining a low-profile lifestyle that contrasts with his outsized influence on global agriculture.

Dr. Hao Hong, founder, chairman, and CEO of Asymchem Laboratories, has built the company into a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) serving the pharmaceutical industry. Since establishing the firm in 1997, he has guided its expansion into advanced R&D services, green chemistry solutions, and large-scale manufacturing for biotech and pharma clients worldwide. With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, Hong has positioned Asymchem as a key partner in accelerating drug development and advancing healthcare globally.

Greg Mondre, co-CEO of Silver Lake, is one of the most influential investors in technology private equity. Since joining the firm in 1999, he has played a central role in building it into a global powerhouse with over $100 billion in assets under management. Mondre has overseen landmark deals in companies such as Dell Technologies, Skype, and Twitter, cementing his reputation as a shrewd dealmaker with a deep understanding of the tech sector. His leadership continues to shape Silver Lake’s strategy at the forefront of high-growth, innovation-driven investments.

Glenn Dubin, billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist, cofounded Highbridge Capital Management in 1992, growing it into one of the world’s premier alternative investment firms before selling a majority stake to JPMorgan Chase in 2004. After leaving Highbridge, he launched Dubin & Co., a private investment firm with interests spanning energy, healthcare, and consumer businesses. Known for his disciplined approach to investing and extensive philanthropic commitments in health, education, and community development, Dubin has cemented his reputation as both a savvy financier and committed benefactor.

Gerald J. Ford, Texas billionaire banker and investor, built his fortune by acquiring, restructuring, and selling struggling financial institutions. Starting in the 1970s, he earned a reputation as a savvy dealmaker, most notably with the turnaround and sale of First United Bankshares and Golden State Bancorp. Through his private equity firm Hilltop Holdings, Ford has remained an active force in banking, insurance, and real estate, combining sharp financial instincts with a long-term investment outlook. A noted philanthropist, he is also a major benefactor of Southern Methodist University.

George Kurtz, cofounder and CEO of CrowdStrike, has become one of the most influential leaders in cybersecurity. After a successful career at McAfee, he launched CrowdStrike in 2011 with the vision of using cloud-native technology to stop breaches in real time. Under his leadership, the company went public in 2019 and grew into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise protecting governments, corporations, and institutions worldwide. Known for his technical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, Kurtz is a central figure in shaping the modern cybersecurity landscape.

George Bishop, founder of GeoSouthern Energy, built his fortune in oil and gas by focusing on shale plays and unconventional drilling. Starting his career in the energy sector in the 1980s, he grew GeoSouthern into a major player in the Eagle Ford Shale of Texas before selling a large stake to Devon Energy for $6 billion in 2013. Known for his low profile and disciplined approach, Bishop has since diversified into other energy ventures and real estate, establishing himself as one of America’s quietest self-made billionaires.

Gary Michelson, orthopedic spinal surgeon turned inventor and philanthropist, amassed his fortune through more than 950 patents for medical devices, instruments, and procedures that revolutionized spinal surgery. After a landmark $1.35 billion settlement with Medtronic in 2005 over patent disputes, he shifted his focus to philanthropy, founding the Michelson Medical Research Foundation, Michelson 20MM Foundation for education, and Michelson Found Animals Foundation for animal welfare. His career blends groundbreaking medical innovation with a deep commitment to scientific research, education, and social impact.

Gary Lauder, venture capitalist and heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics fortune, manages Lauder Partners LLC, investing in emerging technologies, communications, and media ventures. Known for his strategic, long-term approach, he has backed numerous early-stage companies while maintaining active involvement in philanthropic initiatives. As a member of the influential Lauder family, he combines the legacy of one of America’s most iconic beauty empires with a forward-looking vision for innovation and entrepreneurship.

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.

Mohammed Al Barwani, Omani billionaire businessman and founder of MB Holding Company, has built a diversified global enterprise spanning oil and gas, mining, engineering, and investments. Since establishing the group in 1982, he has expanded its operations to more than 20 countries, combining strategic acquisitions with organic growth. Known for his disciplined approach to business and philanthropy, Al Barwani remains a key figure in Oman’s private sector, with interests ranging from natural resources to high-value global investments.

Frank Slootman, chairman and CEO of Snowflake, has earned a reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s most effective scale-up leaders, steering three companies to multibillion-dollar valuations. After leading Data Domain and ServiceNow through explosive growth and successful IPOs, he took the helm of Snowflake in 2019, guiding the cloud data platform to a record-breaking $33 billion IPO in 2020. Known for his no-nonsense leadership style and relentless focus on execution, Slootman has become a benchmark for operational excellence in the tech industry.

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.

Frank Fertitta III, chairman and CEO of Station Casinos, transformed a family business into a Las Vegas gaming powerhouse catering to local residents. Alongside his brother Lorenzo, he acquired the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2001 for $2 million, steering its growth into a global sports phenomenon before selling to Endeavor in 2016 for $4 billion. With substantial holdings in real estate, hospitality, and gaming, Fertitta’s career blends bold deal-making with a deep understanding of Nevada’s entertainment landscape, securing his place among America’s most influential casino magnates.

Felix Baker is a highly influential biotech-focused investor and co-founder of Baker Brothers Advisors, a leading hedge fund specializing in healthcare and biotechnology investing. Through his firm, established in 2000, Felix manages over $20 billion in assets and helped generate an estimated $8 billion gain from early investments in Seagen. A PhD immunologist and Stanford alumnus, he also serves on boards of key biotech companies and contributes to Stanford’s biosciences initiatives.

Fatih Ozmen is a Turkish‑American aerospace engineer and entrepreneur who co‑owns and leads Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). He began as an intern in 1981 and in 1994, alongside his wife, Eren Özmen, acquired SNC—which then had only 20 employees. Together they expanded it to a global defense and space-technology firm with over 3,000 staff across multiple countries and major programs including the Dream Chaser spacecraft and key NASA and DoD contracts.

Farris Wilks is a self-made billionaire who, alongside his brother Dan, founded Frac Tech Services in 2002. After selling their majority stake for approximately $3.5 billion in 2011, Farris now directs his wealth into evangelical philanthropy, major land ownership across Idaho and Montana, and leads the Assembly of Yahweh 7th Day church in Cisco. He is also one of the most prolific conservative donors nationally. 

Evan Spiegel co‑founded Snap Inc. (initially Snapchat) in 2011 while studying product design at Stanford. Under his leadership, Snap evolved into a global social media firm with ~400+ million daily users, launching viral innovations like Stories and AR lenses. Spiegel holds over 95 % of Snap’s voting power alongside co‑founder Bobby Murphy and remains its CEO. He also supports youth arts and education through the Spiegel Family Fund with his wife Miranda Kerr.

Evan Sharp is the American entrepreneur and design visionary who co‑founded Pinterest in 2010 alongside Ben Silbermann and Paul Sciarra. An architecture graduate from the University of Chicago and Columbia GSAPP alumnus, Sharp led the product’s signature grid design and served as Chief Design & Creative Officer. Known for infusing visual simplicity into engineering, he helped Pinterest evolve from a side project into a global platform with hundreds of millions of users.