Gabe Newell, cofounder and president of Valve Corporation, turned a small game studio into one of the most influential forces in the video game industry. After leaving Microsoft in 1996, he launched Valve with Mike Harrington, debuting the groundbreaking title Half-Life and later creating the Steam platform, which revolutionized digital game distribution. Under Newell’s leadership, Valve has become a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse known for innovation, fan engagement, and industry-defining franchises, making him one of gaming’s most respected and enigmatic figures.

Samih Sawiris, Egyptian billionaire and tourism mogul, transformed his family’s business acumen into a global hospitality and real estate empire. As founder of Orascom Development, he spearheaded the creation of integrated resort towns across Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East, blending luxury hotels, marinas, golf courses, and residential communities. Known for projects like El Gouna on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Sawiris has combined visionary master planning with sustainable development, positioning himself as a leading force in high-end tourism and destination creation.

Salman Alhokair, Saudi businessman and prominent member of the Alhokair family, has played a key role in expanding the Fawaz Alhokair Group into one of the Middle East’s dominant retail, hospitality, and entertainment conglomerates. Building on the family’s legacy, he has overseen partnerships with top international brands and the development of large-scale shopping malls and lifestyle destinations. Known for blending global retail trends with regional market expertise, Alhokair continues to influence the evolution of consumer experiences across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

Fawaz Alhokair, Saudi billionaire businessman, co-founded the Fawaz Alhokair Group and expanded it from a single menswear shop in 1989 into a retail giant representing leading global fashion brands. Under his leadership, the group diversified into shopping malls, hotels, and entertainment ventures, establishing a presence across the Middle East and beyond. Known for his entrepreneurial drive and ambitious expansion, Alhokair has played a pivotal role in modernizing Saudi Arabia’s retail landscape and connecting regional consumers with international brands.

Abdul Majeed Alhokair, Saudi businessman and investor, is a leading figure in the Kingdom’s retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. As a key member of the Alhokair family, founders of the Fawaz Alhokair Group, he has helped expand the conglomerate’s portfolio of international fashion brands, shopping malls, and hotels across the Middle East and beyond. Known for his role in diversifying the family business and embracing modern retail trends, Alhokair continues to influence the region’s consumer landscape through strategic investments and global partnerships.

Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, Saudi billionaire investor and philanthropist, is the founder and chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, a global investment powerhouse with stakes in banking, hospitality, real estate, and technology. Known for high-profile holdings in companies like Citigroup, Four Seasons Hotels, and Twitter, he has combined bold, long-term investments with a flair for global deal-making. A member of the Saudi royal family, Al Waleed has also pledged the majority of his wealth to philanthropy, reinforcing his image as both a shrewd businessman and a global humanitarian.

Mohammed Al Barwani, Omani billionaire businessman and founder of MB Holding Company, has built a diversified global enterprise spanning oil and gas, mining, engineering, and investments. Since establishing the group in 1982, he has expanded its operations to more than 20 countries, combining strategic acquisitions with organic growth. Known for his disciplined approach to business and philanthropy, Al Barwani remains a key figure in Oman’s private sector, with interests ranging from natural resources to high-value global investments.

Fred Ehrsam, cofounder of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, played a pivotal role in bringing digital assets into the financial mainstream. A former Goldman Sachs trader, he launched Coinbase in 2012 with Brian Armstrong, helping it grow into one of the world’s largest crypto platforms. After stepping back from day-to-day operations in 2017, Ehrsam cofounded Paradigm, a leading crypto-focused investment firm backing blockchain startups and decentralized finance projects. Known for his early conviction in Bitcoin and blockchain technology, he remains a prominent voice shaping the future of digital finance.

Frank VanderSloot, founder and CEO of Melaleuca, transformed a small wellness startup into a billion-dollar direct-marketing giant offering nutritional, personal care, and household products. Since launching the Idaho-based company in 1985, he has built a network serving millions of customers across multiple countries, leveraging a unique referral-based model. A vocal advocate for entrepreneurship and conservative causes, VanderSloot has combined business acumen with philanthropic initiatives, cementing his status as one of America’s most successful self-made entrepreneurs in the health and wellness industry.

Frank Slootman, chairman and CEO of Snowflake, has earned a reputation as one of Silicon Valley’s most effective scale-up leaders, steering three companies to multibillion-dollar valuations. After leading Data Domain and ServiceNow through explosive growth and successful IPOs, he took the helm of Snowflake in 2019, guiding the cloud data platform to a record-breaking $33 billion IPO in 2020. Known for his no-nonsense leadership style and relentless focus on execution, Slootman has become a benchmark for operational excellence in the tech industry.

Frank McCourt, real estate developer and former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, built his fortune through large-scale property holdings and high-profile sports investments. After selling the Dodgers in 2012 for a record $2.15 billion, he expanded his portfolio through McCourt Global, a diversified enterprise spanning real estate, sports, media, and technology. Known for bold, often controversial deals, McCourt has also turned his attention to digital infrastructure projects aimed at rethinking data ownership, positioning himself as both a traditional asset mogul and a forward-looking tech investor.

Frank Laukien, chairman, president, and CEO of Bruker Corporation, has built the scientific instruments maker into a global leader in analytical and diagnostic solutions. Taking the helm of the company founded by his father, Laukien expanded its product portfolio across life sciences, materials research, and industrial applications, serving top research institutions and laboratories worldwide. A physicist by training, he has guided Bruker’s growth through innovation-driven acquisitions and a focus on precision technologies, securing its reputation as a critical partner in advancing scientific discovery.

Frank Holding Jr., chairman and CEO of First Citizens BancShares, has led the North Carolina–based bank through decades of steady expansion and strategic acquisitions. Under his leadership, the once-regional institution became a national player, most notably with its transformative 2023 acquisition of Silicon Valley Bank’s assets. Known for a conservative approach to lending and an emphasis on long-term relationships, Holding has preserved the family-run culture while scaling First Citizens into one of the largest banks in the United States, managing hundreds of billions in assets.

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.

O. Francis Biondi, cofounder of King Street Capital Management, launched the hedge fund in 1995 alongside fellow First Boston alum Brian Higgins, building it into a global powerhouse with over $25 billion in assets under management. Specializing in contrarian plays across stocks and bonds, the firm became a dominant force in distressed and value investing. Biondi retired in 2020 but retained his ownership stake, cementing his legacy as a shrewd investor and architect of one of the most respected names in alternative asset management.

Forrest Lee Preston, a self-made billionaire, founded Life Care Centers of America in 1970 and built it from a single facility in Cleveland, Tennessee, into one of the nation’s largest privately held networks of nursing homes, assisted-living, and retirement communities. As sole owner and CEO, he has overseen more than 200 locations across 27 states, employing over 30,000 people and serving tens of thousands of residents. Known for his hands-on control and aggressive expansion, Preston has navigated regulatory challenges and industry upheavals, cementing his reputation as a dominant force in the senior-care sector.

Herbert Fisk “Fisk” Johnson III is the fifth-generation leader of S. C. Johnson, the iconic cleaning‑products company founded in 1886. A Cornell alumnus with multiple degrees (BA, MEng, MS, MBA, PhD), he joined the family business in 1987 and became CEO in 2004. Known for his environmental advocacy and scientific approach, Johnson champions sustainable packaging and pulled SC Johnson into the fight against plastic waste.

Felix Baker is a highly influential biotech-focused investor and co-founder of Baker Brothers Advisors, a leading hedge fund specializing in healthcare and biotechnology investing. Through his firm, established in 2000, Felix manages over $20 billion in assets and helped generate an estimated $8 billion gain from early investments in Seagen. A PhD immunologist and Stanford alumnus, he also serves on boards of key biotech companies and contributes to Stanford’s biosciences initiatives.

Fatih Ozmen is a Turkish‑American aerospace engineer and entrepreneur who co‑owns and leads Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). He began as an intern in 1981 and in 1994, alongside his wife, Eren Özmen, acquired SNC—which then had only 20 employees. Together they expanded it to a global defense and space-technology firm with over 3,000 staff across multiple countries and major programs including the Dream Chaser spacecraft and key NASA and DoD contracts.

Farris Wilks is a self-made billionaire who, alongside his brother Dan, founded Frac Tech Services in 2002. After selling their majority stake for approximately $3.5 billion in 2011, Farris now directs his wealth into evangelical philanthropy, major land ownership across Idaho and Montana, and leads the Assembly of Yahweh 7th Day church in Cisco. He is also one of the most prolific conservative donors nationally.