Vincent Viola, founder of Virtu Financial, built one of the most sophisticated electronic trading firms in global markets by leveraging high-speed technology and quantitative strategies. A former chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange, Viola transformed Virtu into a major liquidity provider across equities, currencies, and derivatives worldwide. Known for combining trading expertise with advanced infrastructure, he helped institutionalize high-frequency market making at scale. Beyond finance, Viola is the owner of the NHL’s Florida Panthers, linking capital markets success with professional sports ownership.

Tom Golisano is the billionaire founder of Paychex and a prolific philanthropist who has donated over $1 billion to healthcare, education, and disability services. In early 2026, his legacy expanded through the Golisano Children's Alliance, a network of ten hospitals bolstered by his recent $50 million gifts to centers in Buffalo, Connecticut, and Kentucky. He is also scaling his Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, with a new campus opening in the former Buffalo News building in fall 2026. Beyond his business empire, the former Buffalo Sabres owner remains a leading advocate for tax reform and inclusive health for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Thomas Duff is the co-founder of Duff Capital Investors and the co-owner of Southern Tire Mart, the nation’s largest truck tire dealer. As the wealthiest individual in Mississippi, alongside his brother James, he manages a multi-billion dollar empire spanning trucking, construction, and energy. In early 2026, his influence has expanded into the political arena following the launch of his "Duff PAC" and growing speculation regarding a 2027 gubernatorial run. A prominent philanthropist, he has donated tens of millions to Mississippi’s public universities. His leadership is defined by an "outsider" business perspective and a commitment to regional economic development.

Terry Pegula is the billionaire owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, having built his fortune in the natural gas industry. In early 2026, he initiated a major organizational shift by firing longtime Bills head coach Sean McDermott and promoting Joe Brady. He also restructured the front office, naming Brandon Beane as President of Football Operations. While overseeing the construction of a new multi-billion dollar stadium in Orchard Park, Pegula remains a central figure in Buffalo sports, recently drawing headlines for his candid assessment of the team's roster and his focused commitment to finally bringing a Super Bowl title to Western New York.

Elizabeth Uihlein, president of Uline, helped build one of America’s largest privately held business suppliers by scaling a customer-service-driven distribution model for packaging and shipping materials. Working alongside her husband Richard, she co-built Uline from a small family venture into a national logistics powerhouse known for fast delivery, operational discipline, and a vast product catalog serving businesses across the United States. Known for hands-on leadership and a direct management style, Uihlein has been central to Uline’s execution culture, brand consistency, and long-term private ownership success.

Richard Uihlein, founder and CEO of Uline, built one of America’s largest privately held business suppliers by turning packaging and shipping materials into a high-volume, service-driven empire. Starting the company in 1980 with his wife Elizabeth, Uihlein scaled Uline through catalog and e-commerce distribution, relentless logistics efficiency, and a reputation for fast delivery across the United States. Known for conservative management, strict operational discipline, and privately owned growth, he has expanded Uline into a dominant force in B2B supply chains while maintaining a low public profile outside business and philanthropy.

Peter Thiel, cofounder of PayPal and Palantir Technologies, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential and contrarian thinkers, known for backing companies that challenge consensus and reshape entire industries. As an early investor in Facebook and the first outside investor in several category-defining startups, Thiel helped popularize a philosophy centered on building monopolies through deep technology rather than incremental competition. Through Founders Fund, he has backed transformative ventures across software, defense, biotech, and space. Thiel’s impact extends beyond investing into ideas, shaping debates around technology, globalization, and the future of innovation.

Paul Singer, founder and CEO of Elliott Investment Management, is one of the most influential activist investors in the world, known for combining deep legal expertise with relentless capital discipline. Since launching Elliott in 1977, Singer has built a multibillion-dollar firm that targets complex situations across public equities, debt, and sovereign restructurings, often pushing for governance reform and value realization. His campaigns have reshaped outcomes at major corporations and governments alike, cementing Elliott’s reputation for rigor, persistence, and results. Beyond investing, Singer is a prominent political donor and philanthropist focused on free markets, democracy, and human rights.

Nelson Peltz, founder and CEO of Trian Fund Management, is one of the most prominent activist investors in corporate America, known for pushing operational discipline and shareholder-focused governance at some of the world’s largest companies. After early success building food distributor Triangle Industries, Peltz turned to activism through Trian, taking influential stakes in companies such as Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, DuPont, and General Electric. His campaigns typically emphasize cost control, capital allocation, and strategic clarity rather than breakups, earning him a reputation as a boardroom power broker. Peltz’s blend of industrial experience and financial activism has reshaped how large corporations respond to shareholder pressure.

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.

Hank Meijer, co-chairman of Meijer Inc., oversees one of America’s largest privately held supermarket chains, founded by his grandfather in 1934. Under his leadership, the Michigan-based retailer has expanded across the Midwest with hundreds of supercenters blending groceries, general merchandise, and pharmacies. Known for pioneering the “supercenter” model long before it became industry standard, Meijer has maintained the company’s family-owned ethos while scaling into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Beyond retail, Hank Meijer is also recognized as an author, historian, and philanthropist, contributing to education, civic causes, and cultural initiatives.

Glen A. Taylor, Minnesota billionaire businessman, built his fortune through Taylor Corporation, one of the largest privately held printing and marketing companies in the U.S. Starting as an employee, he bought the company in 1975 and expanded it into a diversified enterprise spanning printing, communications, and technology solutions. Beyond business, Taylor is well known as owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, as well as a former state senator. His career blends entrepreneurship, sports ownership, and community engagement, making him a prominent figure in both business and civic life.

Don R. Hankey is a self-made billionaire and conservative financier. He founded the Hankey Group, including Westlake Financial Services, a top U.S. subprime auto lender, and Knight Specialty Insurance. His companies provided the $175 million bond in 2024 for Donald Trump’s New York civil fraud appeal. He extended high-risk loans to megadevelopers like Nile Niami—such as funding the troubled Bel-Air mansion “The One”—and now oversees $23 billion in diversified assets.

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.” 

Charles R. Schwab is the pioneering founder, longtime CEO, and current Co‑Chairman of The Charles Schwab Corporation, which he started in 1971. Renowned for revolutionizing the discount brokerage industry—offering low-cost, tech-driven trading and eliminating commissions—he built one of the largest global investment firms managing over $10 trillion in client assets and serving more than 32 million accounts. Semi-retiring in 2008, he remains the largest individual shareholder and leads the Schwab Foundation’s education and dyslexia initiatives. 

Bill Marriott is the hospitality titan who transformed a root-beer stand into a global lodging empire as the long-time CEO and executive chairman of Marriott International. A University of Utah alumnus and former naval officer, he introduced innovations like revenue management, spearheaded the company’s 1993 split, and expanded the brand into luxury, mid-market, and vacation segments—setting industry standards through his hands-on leadership.

Bill Haslam is an American billionaire businessman and politician, best known as the 49th governor of Tennessee (2011–2019) and former mayor of Knoxville. A graduate of Emory University, he led the family’s Pilot travel-center empire—selling a majority stake to Berkshire Hathaway—and championed education reforms and economic growth in Tennessee.

Harold Hamm is an American oil and gas entrepreneur, known for his pioneering work in the development of the Bakken oil field in North Dakota and Montana. He is the founder and chairman of Continental Resources, a leading oil producer in the United States. Hamm is also recognized for his significant contributions to the energy industry and his philanthropic efforts.

Thomas Frist Jr. is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder of Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), the world's largest private hospital operator. His business acumen and philanthropic efforts have left a significant mark on the healthcare industry and beyond.

Miriam Adelson is a renowned Israeli-American physician, philanthropist, and owner of a vast media empire. As the widow of Sheldon Adelson, she has inherited and expanded his business interests and continues to make significant contributions to medical research and conservative political causes.