Timothy Springer is the Latham Family Professor at Harvard Medical School and a billionaire biotech pioneer known for his foundational work in immunology. He discovered the first integrins and adhesion molecules (ICAMs), discoveries that led to blockbusters like Entyvio and Raptiva. A founding investor in Moderna, he famously turned a $5 million stake into billions, cementing his status as one of the world's wealthiest academics. In 2026, he continues to lead the Institute for Protein Innovation (IPI), a legacy nonprofit he endowed with $210 million to advance open-source protein research. Recently, he was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and made headlines for his massive $61 million investment in Tectonic Therapeutic. Beyond science, he is an avid collector of gongshi (Chinese scholar's rocks).

Stephen Mandel, Jr. is the founder of Lone Pine Capital, one of the most successful and respected long-short equity hedge funds in the industry. A former star analyst at Tiger Management under Julian Robertson, Mandel is a prominent "Tiger Cub" who built his reputation through rigorous, bottom-up fundamental research and a long-term approach to growth investing. Since its founding in 1997, Lone Pine became known for its significant bets on technology, e-commerce, and consumer brands, consistently outperforming the broader market for decades. Although he stepped back from day-to-day portfolio management in 2019, Mandel remains a central figure in the firm and a major philanthropic force through the Lone Pine Foundation, which focuses on poverty and education.

Ronald Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder fortune, built a multifaceted career spanning global business, diplomacy, and cultural leadership. As a longtime leader and major shareholder of Estée Lauder Companies, he helped expand the cosmetics empire into an international powerhouse of prestige beauty brands. Lauder also served as U.S. ambassador to Austria and became one of the world’s most influential art patrons, including leadership at the Jewish Museum in New York and major involvement in efforts to recover Nazi-looted art. Known for strategic philanthropy and cultural advocacy, Lauder’s influence extends far beyond consumer brands into politics, education, and heritage preservation.

Ron Conway, founder of SV Angel, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential early-stage investors, known for backing some of the most successful technology companies of the modern era. Often called the “Godfather of Silicon Valley,” Conway made early investments in companies such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb, and PayPal, building a legendary track record in startup finance. Beyond investing, he is a major civic force in San Francisco and California, actively shaping policy conversations around housing, homelessness, and technology’s role in society. Conway’s career reflects unmatched network power, founder access, and long-term influence in venture capital.

Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corporation, built one of the most influential transportation and automotive empires in the world, spanning truck leasing, logistics, dealerships, and motorsports. A racing legend turned industrial operator, Penske scaled Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Automotive Group into global leaders through disciplined execution and operational excellence. He is also an iconic force in racing as owner of Team Penske and steward of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar, extending his impact from business to the very infrastructure of American motorsport. Penske’s career is defined by precision, scale, and relentless performance.

Robert Pera, founder and CEO of Ubiquiti, built a multibillion-dollar networking equipment company by challenging traditional enterprise hardware economics with a lean, engineer-driven model. A former Apple engineer, Pera launched Ubiquiti to deliver high-performance wireless and networking products at disruptive price points, relying on community-driven marketing and minimal overhead rather than large sales forces. The company became a global supplier to internet service providers and businesses worldwide, while Pera maintained tight control and a low public profile. He is also known as the owner of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, blending technology entrepreneurship with high-profile sports ownership.

Robert Bass, Texas billionaire investor and member of the legendary Bass family, built a reputation as one of the most influential private capital allocators in American business. Rising to prominence in the 1980s through high-profile investments and corporate deals, Bass developed a diversified portfolio spanning energy, finance, real estate, and private equity. Known for strategic patience and a preference for quiet influence over public visibility, he has remained a major force in long-term investing and philanthropic support for education, arts, and conservation.

Randal J. Kirk, biotech entrepreneur and investor, built his fortune by creating and scaling life-sciences companies focused on drug development, specialty pharmaceuticals, and healthcare innovation. Best known as the founder of Intrexon and as the driving force behind multiple public biotech ventures, Kirk has pursued an aggressive strategy of acquiring scientific platforms, recruiting top research talent, and commercializing high-value therapies. His long-term influence spans pharmaceuticals, genetics, and medical technology, reflecting a rare ability to combine capital markets skill with scientific ambition.

Phil Ruffin, casino and real estate magnate, built a fortune through high-conviction bets on hospitality, energy, and distressed assets, most famously in Las Vegas. After early success in oil and gas, Ruffin acquired and revitalized major properties including the Treasure Island hotel-casino, applying hands-on operations and disciplined capital allocation. Known for opportunistic dealmaking and a long-term owner’s mindset, he has remained a powerful figure in gaming and commercial real estate, pairing bold acquisitions with tight cost control and patient value creation.

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.

Jorge Mas Santos, chairman and former CEO of MasTec, has transformed the engineering and infrastructure firm founded by his father into a multibillion-dollar leader in energy, telecommunications, and utility construction across North America. Under his stewardship, MasTec expanded from a regional contractor into a diversified powerhouse building renewable-energy projects, 5G networks, oil and gas pipelines, and critical power-distribution systems. Beyond MasTec, Mas Santos is an influential civic and political figure within the Cuban-American community and a principal owner of Inter Miami CF, helping shape the growth of Major League Soccer alongside global partners. His blend of business leadership, cultural advocacy, and sports ownership defines him as one of Miami’s most prominent modern leaders.

John Malone, chairman of Liberty Media, is one of the most influential and strategic dealmakers in media and telecommunications, credited with shaping the cable industry and modern pay-TV economics. Often called the “Cable Cowboy,” Malone built Tele-Communications Inc. into the largest U.S. cable operator before selling it to AT&T, then expanded Liberty Media into a sprawling portfolio spanning entertainment, sports, broadband, and satellite broadcasting. Known for his complex tax-efficient structures, minority control positions, and long-term compounding strategy, Malone has influenced everything from streaming competition to global sports ownership. His low-profile persona contrasts sharply with his outsized impact on the business of media.

Jerry Reinsdorf, longtime owner of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox, is one of the most influential figures in American professional sports. After building his wealth in real estate and tax-shelter investments, he purchased the White Sox in 1981 and the Bulls in 1985—guiding the teams through eras that cemented their place in sports history. Under his stewardship, the Bulls won six NBA championships in the Michael Jordan era, while the White Sox captured a World Series title in 2005, ending an 88-year drought. Known for his sharp business acumen, loyalty to his organizations, and major impact on league governance, Reinsdorf remains a defining and sometimes controversial presence in modern sports ownership.

Jeffrey Sprecher, founder, chairman, and CEO of Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), has built one of the most powerful and influential financial infrastructure companies in the world. Starting in 2000 with a small online energy marketplace, he transformed ICE into a global exchange and data powerhouse through bold acquisitions—including NYSE Euronext, bringing the New York Stock Exchange under his leadership. Sprecher’s disciplined approach to technology, clearing, and market structure has reshaped modern trading across commodities, equities, and fixed income. Widely regarded as a visionary architect of today’s financial markets, he continues to drive innovation at the intersection of finance and technology.

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.

Jeff Green, cofounder and CEO of The Trade Desk, has become one of the most influential leaders in digital advertising by building the world’s leading independent programmatic ad platform. Since launching the company in 2009, he has championed transparency, data-driven buying, and an open internet—positioning The Trade Desk as a counterweight to walled gardens like Google and Meta. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse serving major brands, agencies, and media companies across the globe. Known for his strategic clarity and outspoken industry perspective, Green has reshaped how digital ads are bought, measured, and optimized.

Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, is widely regarded as one of the most influential bankers of his generation. Since taking the helm in 2005, he has transformed JPMorgan into the largest and most profitable bank in the United States, navigating the 2008 financial crisis with relative strength and shaping global finance through strategic acquisitions, disciplined risk management, and outspoken leadership. Known for his direct, pragmatic style and deep understanding of markets, Dimon has become a key voice in economic policy, financial regulation, and corporate governance, making him a defining figure in modern Wall Street history.

Jimmy Haslam, chairman of Pilot Company, has built one of America’s largest privately held businesses in fuel, logistics, and travel centers. Under his leadership, Pilot transformed into a nationwide powerhouse with thousands of locations serving professional drivers and consumers across North America. Haslam is also widely known as co-owner of the Cleveland Browns and the Milwaukee Bucks, where he has applied his competitive, operations-focused leadership style to professional sports. With a portfolio spanning energy, transportation, and major league franchises, Haslam remains a prominent and influential figure in both American business and sports.

Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, Saudi billionaire investor and philanthropist, is the founder and chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, a global investment powerhouse with stakes in banking, hospitality, real estate, and technology. Known for high-profile holdings in companies like Citigroup, Four Seasons Hotels, and Twitter, he has combined bold, long-term investments with a flair for global deal-making. A member of the Saudi royal family, Al Waleed has also pledged the majority of his wealth to philanthropy, reinforcing his image as both a shrewd businessman and a global humanitarian.

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.