Leslie Wexner, founder of L Brands, is one of the most influential figures in American retail, having built Victoria’s Secret, Bath & Body Works, and a portfolio of iconic mall brands that helped define modern specialty retail. Starting with a single apparel store in 1963, Wexner created a multi-billion-dollar empire through sharp merchandising instincts, aggressive expansion, and a deep understanding of consumer psychology. For decades, he set the pace in fashion and retail strategy, while also becoming a major philanthropist supporting education, healthcare, and the arts. Though he has stepped back from the company, Wexner remains a towering figure in the retail industry’s evolution.

Ken Langone, cofounder of Home Depot, is one of America’s most respected entrepreneurs and dealmakers, helping turn a radical big-box retail concept into one of the largest home-improvement chains in the world. After early success on Wall Street as an investment banker, Langone helped finance and launch Home Depot in 1978, and the company’s explosive growth made him a billionaire. Known for his blunt, patriotic style and deep loyalty to employees, he is also a major philanthropist—funding medical research, education, and veterans’ causes, including a landmark gift to make tuition free at NYU’s medical school. Langone remains a prominent voice on business, capitalism, and civic leadership.

Joe Mansueto, founder and executive chairman of Morningstar, transformed a one-man startup launched in his Chicago apartment into one of the world’s most trusted providers of investment research, ratings, and financial data. Since founding the company in 1984, he has championed transparency, independent analysis, and investor empowerment, expanding Morningstar into a global platform serving millions of investors and thousands of institutions across more than 25 countries. After taking the company public and stepping back from day-to-day operations, Mansueto has become an influential civic leader, philanthropist, and sports owner—acquiring Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire and supporting major cultural and educational initiatives. His legacy combines entrepreneurship, integrity, and a long-term commitment to investor advocacy.

John W. Henry, billionaire investor and principal owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC, built his fortune as a pioneering commodities trader before reshaping the global sports industry through Fenway Sports Group. After founding the quantitative hedge fund J.W. Henry & Co., he acquired the Red Sox in 2002 and led the team to multiple World Series championships, breaking the “Curse of the Bambino.” Expanding his sports empire internationally, Henry later bought Liverpool FC, guiding the Premier League club to Champions League and English title victories. Known for his data-driven, value-focused leadership, he has become one of the most influential owners in modern professional sports.

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.

Joe Ricketts, billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, is the founder of TD Ameritrade, the online brokerage he launched in 1975 and grew into one of America’s largest trading platforms through early adoption of discount brokerage, digital tools, and retail investor empowerment. After taking the company public and expanding it through major acquisitions, Ricketts became a prominent figure in finance and later sold TD Ameritrade to Charles Schwab in a landmark multibillion-dollar deal. Beyond business, he has invested heavily in journalism, conservation, and civic initiatives through the Ricketts family foundation, and the family also owns the Chicago Cubs. Ricketts remains a defining voice in entrepreneurship, public policy, and philanthropy.

Joe Kiani, founder, chairman, and CEO of Masimo, is a pioneering medical-technology entrepreneur whose innovations in noninvasive monitoring have transformed modern patient care. Since launching Masimo in 1989, he has built the company into a global leader in pulse oximetry and hospital automation, driven by breakthrough signal-processing technology that set new clinical standards worldwide. Kiani has also become a prominent advocate for patient safety and healthcare transparency, founding the Patient Safety Movement Foundation to reduce preventable hospital deaths. With a blend of engineering vision, mission-driven leadership, and bold industry advocacy, he remains one of the most influential figures in medical technology.

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.

Hansjörg Wyss, Swiss billionaire and philanthropist, built his fortune through medical device maker Synthes, which he sold to Johnson & Johnson for nearly $20 billion in 2012. An engineer by training, Wyss expanded Synthes into a global leader in orthopedic implants before turning his focus to large-scale philanthropy. Through the Wyss Foundation, he has committed billions to environmental conservation, scientific research, and public interest journalism, becoming one of the world’s most influential advocates for protecting wild lands and advancing sustainable solutions.

Gary Rollins, vice chairman and CEO of Rollins Inc., has overseen the transformation of the family’s pest control business into a global industry leader. Best known for its flagship brand Orkin, Rollins Inc. operates in more than 70 countries, providing residential and commercial pest management services. A member of one of America’s wealthiest families, Rollins has maintained steady growth through acquisitions, operational efficiency, and a focus on customer service, cementing the company’s dominance in a competitive market.

Egon Pierre Durban is a billionaire computer scientist turned private equity leader. He joined Silver Lake in 1999 as a founding principal and rose to co‑CEO in December 2019. As lead dealmaker, Durban has steered headline investments including Skype, Airbnb, Twitter, Dell, and Endeavor Group—helping Silver Lake grow to ~$104 billion in AUM and stake major influence across tech, media, and sports.

Edward Perry “Ed” Bass is a Texas oil heir, financier, philanthropist, and environmental advocate. A Yale alumnus, he is the chairman of venture firm Fine Line and co-founded the avant‑garde Biosphere 2 project in Arizona. He spearheaded Fort Worth’s Sundance Square urban renewal, built the acclaimed Bass Performance Hall, and oversees conservation land holdings across Kansas prairies through his Philecology Trust. 

David A. Duffield is an American enterprise software pioneer. He co-founded PeopleSoft in 1987 and in 2005 co-founded Workday—both revolutionized HR and financial management systems. He later founded Ridgeline Apps, serving investment managers. At age 84, he’s also a philanthropist behind Maddie’s Fund and the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, with gifts exceeding $450 million.  

David Blitzer is an American investor and sports team owner. As Blackstone’s Chairman of Tactical Opportunities, he oversees global investing across asset classes. In 2011, he co-founded Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), the first entity to hold equity in all five major U.S. men’s leagues (NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, MLS). His portfolio includes the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, Cleveland Guardians, Real Salt Lake (now minority stake), and the Washington Commanders.

Daniel D’Aniello is an American business leader and co‑founder of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms. A Syracuse and Harvard University alumnus, he served as vice president at Marriott before launching Carlyle in 1987. A decorated U.S. Navy officer, D’Aniello stepped down as chair in 2018 and now emphasizes philanthropy in veterans’ affairs and higher education. 

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.

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.

Henry Samueli is an American engineer, businessman, and philanthropist. As the co-founder of Broadcom Corporation, he has played a key role in advancing semiconductor and broadband technology. Beyond his impact in tech, Samueli is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting education, medical research, and sports as the owner of the Anaheim Ducks.

Lachlan Murdoch is an Australian-American media executive known for his prominent role in the Murdoch family's media empire. He serves as the executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation and co-chairman of News Corp.

Aaron Frenkel is a prominent real estate developer and investor known for his extensive portfolio in luxury properties and aviation services. His strategic investments and philanthropic efforts have positioned him as a significant figure in the global real estate and business communities.