Ron Shaich, cofounder of Au Bon Pain and the architect behind Panera’s rise, built one of the most influential careers in fast-casual dining by pairing sharp consumer insight with disciplined brand building. After helping launch Au Bon Pain, he transformed Panera Bread into a category-defining powerhouse and later expanded into investing and restaurant innovation through Act III Holdings. Known for seeing around corners in food retail, Shaich remains a central figure in the evolution of modern dining.

Michael S. Dunlap, cofounder and executive chairman of Nelnet, helped build the Lincoln, Nebraska–based company from its 1996 origins into a diversified public business spanning loan servicing, payment processing, education technology, and related financial services. After serving as chairman and CEO from the company’s inception, he remained a central force behind Nelnet’s long-term strategy, disciplined capital allocation, and expansion beyond student lending. Dunlap has earned a reputation as a low-profile but influential operator in education finance and business services.

Ronald F. Clarke, founder and longtime CEO of Corpay, Inc. (formerly FleetCor Technologies), built one of the most successful corporate payments platforms by consolidating specialized B2B payment markets and scaling them globally. Under his leadership, the company expanded far beyond fuel cards into cross-border payments, commercial payables, toll and lodging solutions, and expense management—largely through disciplined acquisitions and operational efficiency. Clarke became known for building a high-margin fintech powerhouse serving enterprises, fleet operators, and government clients worldwide.