Ira Rennert, billionaire industrialist, is the founder of Renco Group, a private holding company with investments in mining, metals, manufacturing, and defense. Starting in the 1970s with junk bonds, he expanded into heavy industry, building a diversified empire that has included steel, magnesium, and automotive companies. Known for his controversial business practices as well as his immense wealth, Rennert also drew attention for constructing one of the largest private homes in the United States, the 62,000-square-foot Fair Field estate in the Hamptons. Despite criticism, he remains a powerful and enduring figure in American industry and finance.

Howard Marks, cofounder and co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, is one of the most respected investors in distressed debt and value investing. Known for his widely read investment memos, Marks has built a reputation for clear thinking on risk, cycles, and market psychology. Since founding Oaktree in 1995, he has helped grow it into a global alternative asset manager with more than $150 billion under management. Revered by peers like Warren Buffett, Marks combines investment mastery with thought leadership, making him a guiding voice for both professionals and individual investors.

Herb Chambers, self-made billionaire and founder of The Herb Chambers Companies, built one of the largest and most successful auto dealership groups in the United States. Starting with a single Cadillac store in 1985, he expanded into a network of more than 30 dealerships across New England, representing top luxury and premium brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce. Known for his relentless focus on customer service and sales innovation, Chambers turned a struggling dealership into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, cementing his reputation as one of America’s top automotive entrepreneurs.

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.

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.

Edward Scott “Eddie” Lampert is an American billionaire investor and founder of ESL Investments, established in 1988 after stints at Goldman Sachs and backing from Richard Rainwater. He famously orchestrated the merger of Kmart and Sears in 2005 and led Sears Holdings until 2019, after acquiring it via bankruptcy auction through Transformco. His record has been polarizing—praised for contrarian success at AutoZone and AutoNation, yet widely criticized for Sears’ collapse.

Dennis R. Washington is a self‑made billionaire industrialist who founded The Washington Companies, a diversified conglomerate spanning heavy construction, mining, railroads, marine shipping, aviation, equipment, and environmental cleanup. From starting with a single bulldozer in Montana, he built a business empire that now includes Seaspan Marine and Montana Rail Link—and is rated one of Montana’s wealthiest residents. 

David Geffen is an American entertainment mogul, record‑label founder, and philanthropist. He launched Asylum Records (1970), Geffen Records (1980), DGC Records (1990), and co‑founded DreamWorks SKG in 1994. His music and film empire helped define modern pop culture and Hollywood.

Darwin Deason is an American billionaire entrepreneur and founder of Affiliated Computer Services (ACS). Under his leadership, ACS became a global outsourcing powerhouse before being sold to Xerox for $6.4 billion in 2010. After the sale, Deason emerged as Xerox’s largest individual shareholder (~12%). He is also a high-profile Republican political donor and owner of the mega-yacht Apogee and an opulent La Jolla estate called “The Sand Castle.” 

Daniel Snyder is the American entrepreneur who founded Snyder Communications and later owned the Washington Commanders (NFL) from 1999 to 2023. He purchased the team for $800 million and controversially sold it for a record $6.05 billion amid investigations, fan backlash, and workplace misconduct scandals that ultimately led to his forced exit. He now resides in London and remains a polarizing sports legacy figure

Daniel Loeb is an American investor, hedge‑fund manager, and founder & CEO of Third Point LLC, a New York‑based activist investment firm launched in 1995 with ~$3–4 million in capital. Renowned for his scathing public letters and event‑driven strategy, he has built Third Point into a multi‑billion‑dollar fund and a major force in corporate turnarounds and governance reform. He is also a philanthropist active in education and civil‑rights causes.

Chamath Palihapitiya is a Sri Lankan‑born Canadian‑American venture capitalist and founder & CEO of Social Capital. A former senior Facebook executive (2007–2011), he rose to prominence as the so-called “SPAC King” after helping take Virgin Galactic, Opendoor, Clover Health and others public. His aggressive investment style and hefty bet on SPACs have earned him both acclaim and criticism.

Arthur Blank is the co‑founder of The Home Depot and the visionary behind the Blank family’s $10 billion enterprise, including the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, PGA TOUR Superstore, and Montana guest ranches. A Babson College graduate and committed philanthropist, Blank has given over $1 billion through his family foundation and led a $200 million donation to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Anthony Hsieh is the serial entrepreneur behind loanDepot, the fourth-largest non-bank mortgage lender in the U.S. A seasoned innovator in online lending, he created LoansDirect and HomeLoanCenter before launching loanDepot in 2010. After its 2021 IPO, he recently returned as Executive Chairman to guide mortgage originations and navigate a leadership transition.

Alfonso Fanjul Jr. is the Chairman and CEO of Fanjul Corp., a privately held sugar and real estate conglomerate with deep roots in both Cuba and the United States. As the public face of the Fanjul family empire, he oversees Florida Crystals and Domino Sugar, playing a pivotal role in the U.S. sugar industry. Known for his political connections, philanthropic activity, and low public profile, Fanjul has shaped policy and commerce in agriculture and beyond.

Stephen M. Ross is a real estate magnate, philanthropist, and sports team owner known for founding Related Companies, the real estate firm behind iconic projects like Hudson Yards, and for owning the Miami Dolphins. With a significant influence in real estate, sports, and philanthropy.

Lakshmi Mittal is an Indian-born British business tycoon and the chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, the largest steelmaking company globally. His strategic acquisitions and innovative approaches have significantly shaped the global steel industry. Beyond business, Mittal is known for his philanthropic endeavors, especially in education and healthcare.

George Roberts is an influential figure in the world of private equity and finance, co-founding Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), one of the world's leading global investment firms. Known for his role in shaping the leveraged buyout industry, Roberts has amassed significant wealth and has become a prominent philanthropist, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

Eric Smidt is the CEO and co-founder of Harbor Freight Tools, a privately held tool and equipment retailer with over 1,200 locations across the United States. Known for his keen business acumen, Smidt transformed Harbor Freight from a small mail-order business into a retail giant. He is also a notable philanthropist, with significant contributions to education and healthcare.