Lee Bass, heir to the Bass family fortune of Fort Worth, has maintained and expanded one of America’s most influential private family investment enterprises. A grandson of legendary oilman Sid Richardson, Bass built on his family’s wealth through disciplined investments in energy, real estate, and private equity, while keeping a deliberately low public profile. Beyond business, he is a major philanthropist and conservationist, supporting education, wildlife preservation, and cultural institutions across Texas. His combination of quiet stewardship, long-term capital management, and community commitment has made him a respected figure in Texas business and family enterprise.

Lee Ainslie, founder and managing partner of Maverick Capital, is one of the most successful hedge fund managers from the original Tiger Cub generation, known for disciplined stock-picking, sector specialization, and rigorous research. After training under Julian Robertson at Tiger Management, Ainslie launched Maverick in 1993 and built it into a multibillion-dollar long/short equity platform with deep expertise in technology, healthcare, and consumer companies. Over three decades, he has produced strong returns with a patient, fundamentals-driven approach and an internal culture that emphasizes analytical depth and risk control. Ainslie is also active in philanthropy and governance, serving on nonprofit boards and promoting educational initiatives.

Lawrence Golub, founder and CEO of Golub Capital, built one of the largest private credit firms in the United States, specializing in direct lending to middle-market companies and providing financing for private equity buyouts. Since launching the firm in 1994, he has overseen the growth of a multibillion-dollar platform known for consistent performance, deep sponsor relationships, and disciplined risk management. Golub Capital has become a key player in leveraged finance, rivaling major banks in unitranche and senior loan markets. Beyond business, Golub is active in philanthropy, public policy, and education, serving on nonprofit boards and donating to health and academic institutions.

Larry Fink, cofounder, chairman, and CEO of BlackRock, built the world’s largest asset manager by combining risk management discipline with vast global reach. Since launching the firm in 1988, he has grown BlackRock into a financial powerhouse overseeing trillions in assets through index funds, ETFs, and institutional mandates, anchored by the Aladdin risk analytics platform. Fink is one of the most influential figures in modern finance, shaping discussions around markets, corporate governance, and sustainability, while maintaining close relationships with governments and CEOs worldwide. His leadership has made BlackRock a central force in global capital allocation.

Larry Silverstein, chairman of Silverstein Properties, is one of New York’s most influential real estate developers, best known for rebuilding the World Trade Center site after the September 11 attacks. A major force in Manhattan commercial property since the 1970s, Silverstein has led the development of millions of square feet of office, residential, and mixed-use space, including icons such as 7 World Trade Center, 4 World Trade Center, and the soaring 3 World Trade Center. His combination of resilience, political navigation, and long-term vision turned tragedy into an unprecedented urban redevelopment effort, cementing Silverstein as a defining figure in modern New York real estate.

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.

Kieu Hoang, Vietnamese-American entrepreneur and former refugee, built a major fortune in medical diagnostics before becoming a high-profile philanthropist and luxury lifestyle investor. After immigrating to the United States with very little, he joined Abbott Laboratories and later founded RAAS, a blood plasma and biotech company that expanded internationally and generated substantial wealth. Hoang went on to acquire and develop vineyards and wineries in Napa Valley and Malibu, combining business with culture, hospitality, and community engagement. Known for his generosity and global perspective, he has donated to health, disaster relief, and cultural causes across Vietnam and the United States.

Kevin Systrom, cofounder of Instagram, helped build one of the most influential social platforms of the modern era by combining minimalist design, mobile photography, and frictionless sharing. After early career stints at Google and Nextstop, he launched Instagram with Mike Krieger in 2010, growing it to millions of users in months and selling the company to Facebook for $1 billion in 2012 while continuing to expand it into a global cultural phenomenon. Known for his product craftsmanship and creator-focused approach, Systrom has since turned his attention to algorithmic news and discovery through his startup Artifact, while remaining a major voice in technology and entrepreneurship.

Kevin Plank, founder and executive chairman of Under Armour, transformed an idea born from sweat-soaked T-shirts into a global performance apparel brand that redefined athletic wear. Launching Under Armour in 1996 from his grandmother’s basement, he introduced moisture-wicking compression gear to football teams and quickly expanded the brand across professional sports, retail, and international markets. Plank led Under Armour through explosive growth, celebrity partnerships, and a high-profile IPO, while cultivating a bold, challenger culture. After stepping back from the CEO role, he remains the company’s strategic force and a major investor in real estate and hospitality through Sagamore Ventures.

Kenny Troutt, billionaire entrepreneur and founder of Excel Communications, built his fortune by pioneering long-distance telecommunications sales through network marketing, later selling the company to Teleglobe for billions. After exiting telecom, he turned his focus to thoroughbred horse breeding and racing, creating WinStar Farm in Kentucky, which has produced multiple classic winners, including Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes champions. Known for his competitive spirit, strategic investment style, and passion for racing, Troutt has become a major figure in American equestrian sports while maintaining a diverse personal investment portfolio.

Kenneth Tuchman, founder and CEO of TTEC, built one of the world’s largest customer experience and business process outsourcing companies, combining outsourced services with digital platforms, analytics, and AI. Starting the company in 1982 with a single client, he grew TTEC into a multinational organization serving Fortune 100 firms across telecommunications, healthcare, financial services, and technology. Tuchman has maintained majority ownership while leading the company for more than four decades, steering its evolution from contact centers to cloud-based CX solutions. Known for his strategic patience, operational discipline, and long-term focus, he has become a major figure in global customer experience management.

Kenneth Moelis, founder, chairman, and CEO of Moelis & Company, is one of Wall Street’s most accomplished investment bankers, known for his leadership in strategic advisory and restructuring. After senior roles at Drexel Burnham, DLJ, and UBS, he launched Moelis & Company in 2007, building it into a global advisory firm recognized for high-touch client service, complex M&A execution, and deep sector expertise. Moelis has advised on some of the most high-profile transactions of the past two decades, while maintaining a distinctive culture that emphasizes partnership, meritocracy, and client alignment. His entrepreneurial flair and long-term discipline have made him a defining figure in modern investment banking.

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.

Kenneth Fisher, founder and executive chairman of Fisher Investments, is one of the most influential voices in modern investing, known for combining empirical market research with accessible financial commentary. Since launching Fisher Investments in 1979, he has grown the firm into a multi-hundred-billion-dollar global asset manager serving private clients and institutions across North America and Europe. A bestselling author and longtime columnist, Fisher popularized the use of price-to-sales ratio in stock analysis and has written extensively on behavioral finance and investor psychology. With a career spanning five decades, he remains a leading advocate of evidence-based investing and long-term market discipline.

Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, has built the world’s largest producer of live family entertainment, stewarding iconic brands such as Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Disney on Ice, Marvel Universe Live, and Monster Jam. Taking over the business from his father Irvin, Feld expanded a single circus operation into a global touring empire that stages thousands of shows annually across dozens of countries. Known for meticulous show production, operational scale, and brand partnerships with entertainment giants like Disney, Feld has shaped live family entertainment for generations while keeping the company privately held and family-led.

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.

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.

Kavitark Ram Shriram, early Google investor and founding board member, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential angel investors, helping shape the modern internet economy through strategic backing and mentorship. A veteran of Netscape and Amazon, Shriram was among the earliest believers in Larry Page and Sergey Brin, providing seed capital and guidance that helped Google scale into a global technology giant. Through his family office, Sherpalo Ventures, he has backed dozens of startups across search, AI, ecommerce, and consumer technology, often bringing hands-on operational insight and long-term partnership. Known for his quiet style and deep conviction, Shriram remains a key figure behind some of the most important companies in tech.

Karthik Sarma, founder of SRS Investment Management, is the hedge fund manager who turned a concentrated activist position in Avis Budget Group into one of the most spectacular investment wins of the past decade. After founding SRS in 2006, the former Tiger Cub built a reputation for deep, research-driven conviction, long time horizons, and strategic influence behind the scenes. His most famous trade—SRS’s stake in Avis—generated multibillion-dollar gains as the company’s market value surged, making Sarma one of the top-earning hedge fund managers in America. Known for his low profile, analytical intensity, and disciplined patience, he has become a defining figure in modern activist investing.

Kam Ghaffarian, serial aerospace entrepreneur and physicist, has built some of the most important private companies operating at the edge of human spaceflight. After founding Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) and becoming a major NASA contractor, he went on to cofound Axiom Space, which is building the world’s first commercial space station, and Intuitive Machines, a pioneer in lunar landers and deep-space robotics. Ghaffarian combines long-range vision, technical depth, and mission-driven leadership, investing hundreds of millions into commercial space infrastructure and future crewed missions. His work has made him one of the central architects of the emerging private space economy.