Mario Gabelli, founder and CEO of GAMCO Investors, is one of Wall Street’s most respected value investors, known for applying fundamental research and private-market valuation techniques to public equities. After beginning his career at Loeb, Rhoades & Co., Gabelli launched GAMCO in 1977 and built a multibillion-dollar asset management firm specializing in value, merger arbitrage, and global equity strategies. His disciplined approach emphasizes cash flow, asset value, and management quality, often coupled with active engagement in corporate governance. Beyond finance, Gabelli is a major philanthropist and art collector, supporting education, cultural institutions, and charitable causes worldwide.

Louis Bacon, founder of Moore Capital Management, is one of the most accomplished global macro hedge fund managers of his generation, known for combining rigorous risk control with deep geopolitical and economic insight. Since launching Moore in 1989, he delivered decades of strong returns through disciplined trading in currencies, commodities, rates, and equities, becoming a defining figure in the macro-trading world. Beyond finance, Bacon is a major conservation philanthropist, protecting vast tracts of land in the U.S. and the Caribbean through the Moore Charitable Foundation. His blend of trading mastery, discretion, and environmental stewardship has made him a singular presence in global finance.

Leonard Stern, chairman and CEO of Hartz Mountain Industries, transformed his family’s small pet-supply enterprise into one of the largest privately held real estate empires in the United States. After taking over the business in the 1950s, he expanded Hartz Mountain into a diversified powerhouse spanning industrial properties, office buildings, hotels, and residential developments concentrated in the New York–New Jersey region. Known for long-term strategy, disciplined capital deployment, and a deep commitment to family ownership, Stern also stands out as a major philanthropist—supporting education, entrepreneurship, and the arts, including significant contributions to NYU’s Stern School of Business, named in his honor.

Larry Robbins, founder and CEO of Glenview Capital Management, is one of the most respected hedge fund managers in healthcare and event-driven investing. After early success at Leon Cooperman’s Omega Advisors, Robbins launched Glenview in 2000 and built a reputation for deep industry research, concentrated positions, and long-term conviction—particularly in hospitals, insurers, and medical services. His activist work has influenced major healthcare operators, while his philanthropic efforts in education, through the Robbins Family Foundation, focus on charter schools and educational reform. Known for patient, fundamental investing and outspoken views on healthcare policy, Robbins remains a defining figure in the sector.

Kelcy Warren, cofounder and executive chairman of Energy Transfer, built one of North America’s largest pipeline and midstream energy networks through aggressive dealmaking, operational scale, and a deep understanding of U.S. oil and gas logistics. Since launching Energy Transfer in 1996, he has overseen a sweeping expansion across natural gas, crude, and NGL infrastructure, including the development of high-profile projects such as the Dakota Access Pipeline. A self-made billionaire from modest Texas roots, Warren combines engineering discipline with bold acquisitive strategy, while remaining an active philanthropist in education, parks, and music—most notably founding the Texas music venue and nonprofit, Klyde Warren Park in Dallas.

Joe Lacob, managing partner and chairman of the Golden State Warriors, is the venture capitalist who helped engineer one of the greatest franchise transformations in modern sports. After years at Kleiner Perkins investing in healthcare and technology, Lacob led the group that acquired the Warriors in 2010 and rebuilt the organization through analytics-driven strategy, top-tier talent development, and a bold front-office culture. Under his leadership, the Warriors evolved from a struggling team into a global dynasty with multiple NBA championships, a state-of-the-art arena in San Francisco, and one of the most valuable brands in sports. Lacob’s blend of data rigor, entrepreneurial mindset, and competitive ambition has redefined what ownership can look like in the NBA.

Joseph Craft III, president and CEO of Alliance Resource Partners, is one of the most prominent figures in the American coal industry, overseeing one of the nation’s largest and most efficient coal producers. Since taking leadership in the late 1990s, Craft has expanded Alliance through disciplined capital allocation, long-term supply contracts, and a focus on low-cost, high-productivity mining operations across the Midwest and Appalachia. Beyond energy, he is an influential political and philanthropic figure, supporting education, economic development, and university programs throughout Kentucky and Oklahoma. Craft’s combination of operational expertise and strategic influence has made him a defining leader in U.S. energy and regional industry.

Jon Oringer, founder and executive chairman of Shutterstock, is one of the earliest pioneers of the digital content marketplace economy. In 2003, he launched Shutterstock as a one-man operation—personally shooting the site’s first 30,000 stock photos—before scaling it into a global platform offering millions of images, videos, and creative assets to customers in more than 150 countries. Oringer took Shutterstock public in 2012, becoming New York’s first tech billionaire, and has since focused on building Pareto Holdings, an investment firm backing early-stage startups in Miami and beyond. Known for his product intuition and bootstrap discipline, he remains a central figure in the evolution of digital media licensing.

Jonathan M. Nelson, founder and managing partner of Providence Equity Partners, has built one of the world’s most successful private equity firms specializing in media, communications, education, and technology investments. Since founding Providence in 1989, he has overseen hundreds of transactions and managed billions in assets, backing major companies like Hulu, Univision, Warner Music Group, and Sotheby’s. Known for long-term sector-focused investing and operational support, Nelson has shaped entire industries—particularly media and telecom—while steering Providence as a top-tier global investment house.

John Pritzker, hospitality investor and member of the Pritzker family behind Hyatt Hotels, has built a distinct legacy in luxury travel and lifestyle ventures through Geolo Capital, the private equity firm he founded in 2005. After early leadership roles at Hyatt and the family’s travel assets, he shifted toward boutique hospitality, backing high-end brands such as Two Roads Hospitality—later acquired by Hyatt in a landmark deal that returned him to the business his family helped create. Pritzker has focused on experiential hotels, wellness properties, and entertainment-driven real estate while maintaining a strong philanthropic presence in arts, education, and community causes. His career reflects a blend of entrepreneurial independence and deep industry heritage.

John Paul DeJoria, cofounder of John Paul Mitchell Systems and Patrón Spirits, is the self-made billionaire whose journey from homelessness to global entrepreneurship has become one of America’s most iconic business stories. After sleeping in his car while starting Paul Mitchell in 1980, he helped turn the professional hair-care brand into a salon staple sold in more than 100 countries, later launching Patrón and redefining premium tequila worldwide. Known for his “success unshared is failure” philosophy, DeJoria has invested heavily in social entrepreneurship, environmental initiatives, and philanthropy, embodying a rare blend of luxury business leadership and mission-driven activism.

John Catsimatidis, billionaire businessman and founder of the Red Apple Group, built a diversified empire spanning supermarkets, energy, real estate, and aviation. After immigrating to the United States from Greece as a child, he left college to take over a small grocery store and expanded it into the Gristedes supermarket chain, later branching into oil refining and fuel distribution through United Refining. Catsimatidis also became a major New York real estate developer, adding residential towers and mixed-use properties to his portfolio. A prominent political donor, radio host, and philanthropist, he remains one of New York’s most outspoken and influential entrepreneurial figures.

Jim Haslam, founder of Pilot Company, built one of America’s largest fuel, travel center, and logistics businesses from a single gas station he opened in 1958. A former University of Tennessee football standout and U.S. Army officer, Haslam expanded Pilot through disciplined operations, strategic acquisitions, and a relentless focus on serving professional drivers—laying the foundation for what would become a multibillion-dollar national network of travel centers. His leadership shaped the culture and growth of the Haslam family enterprise, while his extensive philanthropy in education, healthcare, and community initiatives established him as one of Tennessee’s most respected civic and business leaders.

Jerry Speyer, cofounder and chairman of Tishman Speyer, is one of the most influential real estate developers of the modern era, shaping skylines across New York, major U.S. cities, and global financial hubs. Since launching the firm in 1978 with his father-in-law, Robert Tishman, Speyer has overseen iconic projects such as Rockefeller Center, the MetLife Building, and Frankfurt’s MesseTurm, while expanding the company’s portfolio to more than 200 million square feet of office, residential, and mixed-use assets worldwide. Known for his disciplined investment approach, civic leadership, and long-term urban vision, Speyer remains a defining figure in institutional real estate.

Jeffrey Lurie, billionaire businessman and owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, has transformed the franchise into one of the NFL’s most consistently competitive and analytically driven organizations. After purchasing the team in 1994, he oversaw decades of playoff appearances, multiple NFC championships, and the Eagles’ first Super Bowl victory in 2018. A former film producer with a PhD from Brandeis, Lurie blends data-focused decision-making with a commitment to culture, innovation, and community impact. His leadership has positioned the Eagles as a model modern franchise and solidified his status as one of the most influential owners in professional sports.

Jim Koch, founder and chairman of The Boston Beer Company, helped ignite America’s craft beer revolution by turning a family beer recipe into the iconic Samuel Adams brand. Launching the company in 1984 from his kitchen, Koch built it into one of the largest and most influential craft brewers in the United States, known for quality, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to traditional brewing principles. Under his leadership, Boston Beer expanded into hard seltzers, ciders, and spirits while maintaining its independent ethos. Koch’s entrepreneurial grit and industry leadership have made him one of the most respected figures in American brewing.

Jim Crane, billionaire businessman and owner of the Houston Astros, built his fortune through logistics and freight services before becoming one of Major League Baseball’s most successful franchise owners. After founding Eagle Global Logistics and later Crane Worldwide Logistics, he acquired the Astros in 2011 and transformed the team into a championship organization, winning the World Series in 2017 and 2022. Known for his disciplined leadership, data-driven decision-making, and deep involvement in Houston’s business and philanthropic community, Crane has become a defining figure in both sports and global logistics.

James Clark, pioneering computer scientist and serial entrepreneur, has founded some of Silicon Valley’s most transformative companies. As cofounder of Silicon Graphics, Netscape, and Healtheon, Clark played a pivotal role in shaping modern computing, the internet, and digital health. His early vision helped usher in the dot-com era, with Netscape’s 1995 IPO marking a defining moment in tech history. Beyond business, Clark has devoted much of his wealth to scientific research, education, and ocean conservation, establishing himself as both an innovator and philanthropist at the intersection of technology and progress.

James Chambers, co-owner of Cox Enterprises, represents the fourth generation of the Cox family overseeing one of America’s largest privately held conglomerates. Founded in 1898, Cox Enterprises has expanded into communications, automotive, and media, with multibillion-dollar divisions including Cox Communications and Cox Automotive. As part of the family’s leadership, Chambers focuses on sustainability, innovation, and philanthropy, helping guide the company’s transition toward cleaner technologies and long-term social impact while maintaining its legacy of family stewardship and business excellence.

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.