Wayne Hughes Jr., chairman of Public Storage, oversees one of the largest self-storage empires in the world, continuing the legacy built by his father, company founder Wayne Hughes. After years in private investing and philanthropy, he assumed a leading role in the publicly traded REIT, guiding strategy across a vast portfolio of storage properties throughout the United States and Europe. Known for low-profile leadership and long-term ownership discipline, Hughes represents a new generation of stewardship within one of the most profitable real estate business models in modern property investing.

Alan Smolinisky is a billionaire entrepreneur, principal at Conquest Housing, and co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He first built his fortune with Conquest Student Housing, which became the largest provider at USC before selling for $205 million in 2008. In 2026, he serves as a director at Jack in the Box, chairing its Capital Allocation Committee following a late 2025 appointment. A dedicated value investor and philanthropist, he has committed 90% of his estate to charity and is a vocal advocate for immigration reform, famously hosting mass naturalization ceremonies at Dodger Stadium. He remains a key figure in sports business, previously partnering with Phil Knight on a $2 billion bid for the Portland Trail Blazers.

Scott Cook, cofounder of Intuit, helped build one of the most influential financial software companies in the world by simplifying accounting, taxes, and personal finance for consumers and small businesses. Launching Intuit in 1983 with Quicken and later TurboTax and QuickBooks, Cook championed a customer-driven innovation model that turned the company into a dominant fintech platform. He served as CEO and later executive chairman, shaping Intuit’s long-term strategy and culture while guiding its expansion into cloud-based financial tools. Cook is also a major philanthropist focused on education reform and civic innovation.

Rick Caruso, founder and CEO of Caruso Affiliated, is one of America’s most prominent real estate developers, best known for building ultra-premium retail and mixed-use destinations that blend luxury, design, and community experience. A former attorney and civic leader, Caruso developed landmark projects in Southern California such as The Grove, Americana at Brand, and Palisades Village, redefining high-end experiential retail at a time when traditional malls declined. Known for meticulous attention to detail, brand curation, and long-term asset quality, he has built a real estate empire centered on place-making. Caruso has also become a high-profile public figure through philanthropy and political involvement in Los Angeles.

Ming Hsieh, founder and executive chairman of Fulgent Genetics, built a leading precision diagnostics company by applying advanced automation, data systems, and scalable lab infrastructure to genetic testing. After decades as a successful entrepreneur in aerospace simulation software, Hsieh founded Fulgent in 2011 and guided it from a startup into a publicly traded genomics platform offering comprehensive clinical and diagnostic testing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fulgent rapidly scaled nationwide testing capacity, demonstrating its operational agility and cementing its position in molecular diagnostics. Known for his engineering rigor and long-term vision, Hsieh has also emerged as a major philanthropist supporting education, medical research, and STEM initiatives.

Mark Stevens, longtime partner at Sequoia Capital and former board member of Nvidia, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential venture capitalists, known for backing foundational technology companies at critical inflection points. Joining Sequoia in the early 1990s, he helped guide investments in Google, YouTube, LinkedIn, PayPal, and Nvidia, playing an active role in scaling engineering-driven businesses into global leaders. Stevens is particularly associated with Nvidia’s rise, serving on its board for more than a decade as the company evolved into a cornerstone of graphics computing and AI infrastructure. His career reflects Sequoia’s hallmark blend of technical insight, long-term conviction, and quiet but decisive governance.

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.

Jim Jannard, founder of Oakley and RED Digital Cinema, is a self-made billionaire whose innovations reshaped both the eyewear and filmmaking industries. Starting Oakley in 1975 with just $300, he revolutionized sports performance gear with proprietary materials and bold design, growing the brand into a global icon before selling it to Luxottica for over $2 billion. Never one to slow down, Jannard went on to disrupt Hollywood with RED Digital Cinema, introducing high-resolution digital cameras that transformed modern filmmaking. Known for his rebellious streak, obsession with engineering excellence, and aversion to the spotlight, Jannard remains one of America’s most influential product visionaries.

Igor Olenicoff, billionaire real estate developer, is the founder and owner of Olen Properties, a privately held company with a vast portfolio of commercial and residential properties across the United States. Based in Newport Beach, California, Olen Properties controls tens of millions of square feet of office space and thousands of rental units, with a strong presence in California and Florida. Known for his aggressive growth and hands-on management style, Olenicoff has built one of the nation’s largest private real estate empires while maintaining a low public profile.

George Lucas, filmmaker and entrepreneur, redefined modern cinema with the creation of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, building two of the most successful franchises in history. Beyond directing and producing, he pioneered advances in visual effects and sound through Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, setting new industry standards. In 2012, he sold Lucasfilm to Disney for $4.05 billion, cementing his legacy as both a creative visionary and shrewd businessman. Through the George Lucas Educational Foundation, he has also championed philanthropic efforts in innovative learning.

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.

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.

Benjamin Nazarian is a Los Angeles–based entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder & CEO of Therabody, the global wellness technology company known for Theragun percussive therapy devices. With a USC law and accounting background, he previously served as managing partner at Omninet Capital and co‑founded Parkview Financial, helping originate over $1 billion in loans. He also invests in early-stage ventures through Nazarian Capital.