Jeff Krasnoff, cofounder and managing principal of Rialto Capital Management, built a major real estate investment and asset management platform focused on distressed debt, commercial mortgages, and opportunistic property strategies. After launching Rialto in the aftermath of the financial crisis, Krasnoff helped grow the firm into a leading investor in complex real estate credit and special situations, working with institutional partners across the United States. Known for disciplined underwriting and large-scale capital deployment in dislocated markets, he has positioned Rialto as a significant player in commercial real estate finance.

Thomas Barrack Jr. is the U.S. Ambassador to Türkiye and the Special Envoy for Syria in the second Trump administration, where he serves as a pivotal figure in Middle Eastern diplomacy. A veteran private equity investor and the founder of Colony Capital (now DigitalBridge), Barrack has leveraged his decades of experience in the region to broker historic regional agreements. In early 2026, he played a lead role in integrating the Syrian government into the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and oversaw major infrastructure MoUs, including a milestone gas exploration agreement between Syria and Chevron. His current diplomatic portfolio emphasizes regional security through "shared responsibility," successfully managing the complex transition of territory between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the central government in Damascus.

Joseph Chetrit, founder of the Chetrit Group, is one of New York’s most enigmatic and influential real estate investors, known for executing some of the city’s largest and most complex property deals with minimal public profile. After building an early fortune in textiles, Chetrit shifted into real estate in the 1990s, assembling a multibillion-dollar portfolio that includes office towers, residential conversions, hotels, and landmark properties across Manhattan, Miami, Los Angeles, and beyond. His firm has been involved in major transactions such as the Sears Tower sale, the Chelsea Hotel redevelopment, and large-scale waterfront projects. Chetrit’s combination of discretion, scale, and contrarian timing has made him a defining—if quietly spoken—force in American real estate.

Harry Macklowe, New York real estate developer and art collector, is known for bold, high-stakes deals that reshaped the Manhattan skyline. Founder of Macklowe Properties, he developed iconic projects such as 432 Park Avenue, one of the tallest residential towers in the Western Hemisphere. His career has been marked by both spectacular successes and dramatic setbacks, including a leveraged $7 billion office portfolio purchase in 2007. Beyond real estate, Macklowe gained global attention for his blue-chip art collection, reinforcing his image as one of New York’s most colorful and audacious moguls.

David Lichtenstein is a self-made real estate billionaire who founded The Lightstone Group in 1988. He began with a single multifamily unit and grew his firm into a diversified empire—owning 25,000 apartments and over 15 million sq ft of retail, industrial, hotel & life-sciences properties across 25+ states, with more than $9 billion in managed assets. He led major deals such as acquiring Prime Retail malls ($638 M) and Extended Stay Hotels ($8.1 B) and is active in civic service and board leadership across New York institutions. 

Axel Stawski is an American billionaire real estate developer and founder of Stawski Partners, a New York City–based firm. A Holocaust survivor’s son with a PhD in international law, he has built a portfolio of Manhattan office buildings and luxury condos since 1973, including the notable 565 Fifth Avenue. His low-profile but focused approach continues to shape prime urban real estate.

Alexander Rovt is a billionaire investor and real estate magnate who made his fortune in the global fertilizer trade before shifting to high-value property holdings in New York City. Born in the former Soviet Union, Rovt built his empire through international business acumen and now controls a vast portfolio of debt-free real estate. Known for his low profile and conservative financial strategy, he stands as a symbol of disciplined wealth building.

Diane Hendricks is an American businesswoman, chairperson, and co-founder of ABC Supply, the largest wholesale distributor of roofing, siding, and windows in America. Known for her strategic business acumen and philanthropic efforts, she has significantly impacted both the business world and her community.