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.

George Kurtz, cofounder and CEO of CrowdStrike, has become one of the most influential leaders in cybersecurity. After a successful career at McAfee, he launched CrowdStrike in 2011 with the vision of using cloud-native technology to stop breaches in real time. Under his leadership, the company went public in 2019 and grew into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise protecting governments, corporations, and institutions worldwide. Known for his technical expertise and entrepreneurial drive, Kurtz is a central figure in shaping the modern cybersecurity landscape.

George Bishop, founder of GeoSouthern Energy, built his fortune in oil and gas by focusing on shale plays and unconventional drilling. Starting his career in the energy sector in the 1980s, he grew GeoSouthern into a major player in the Eagle Ford Shale of Texas before selling a large stake to Devon Energy for $6 billion in 2013. Known for his low profile and disciplined approach, Bishop has since diversified into other energy ventures and real estate, establishing himself as one of America’s quietest self-made billionaires.

Geoffrey H. Palmer, founder of G.H. Palmer Associates, is one of Los Angeles’s largest apartment developers, with more than 13,000 units across the metro. He stamped downtown with Italianate mega-complexes like the Medici, Orsini, Piero, Da Vinci, and Lorenzo, and reshaped policy with the 2009 appellate win Palmer v. City of Los Angeles, which limited rental inclusionary mandates under California’s Costa-Hawkins Act. A prolific Republican donor, he remains a powerful—if polarizing—force in L.A. real estate.

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.

Gary Michelson, orthopedic spinal surgeon turned inventor and philanthropist, amassed his fortune through more than 950 patents for medical devices, instruments, and procedures that revolutionized spinal surgery. After a landmark $1.35 billion settlement with Medtronic in 2005 over patent disputes, he shifted his focus to philanthropy, founding the Michelson Medical Research Foundation, Michelson 20MM Foundation for education, and Michelson Found Animals Foundation for animal welfare. His career blends groundbreaking medical innovation with a deep commitment to scientific research, education, and social impact.

Gary Lauder, venture capitalist and heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics fortune, manages Lauder Partners LLC, investing in emerging technologies, communications, and media ventures. Known for his strategic, long-term approach, he has backed numerous early-stage companies while maintaining active involvement in philanthropic initiatives. As a member of the influential Lauder family, he combines the legacy of one of America’s most iconic beauty empires with a forward-looking vision for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Gary Friedman, chairman and CEO of RH (formerly Restoration Hardware), transformed the home furnishings retailer into a high-end lifestyle brand synonymous with luxury design. Since taking the helm in 2001, he has repositioned the company through bold merchandising, exclusive collections, and immersive gallery spaces that blend retail, hospitality, and experience. Under his leadership, RH’s market value has soared, redefining the intersection of home décor and aspirational living while establishing Friedman as one of retail’s most innovative and uncompromising leaders.

Garrett Camp, Canadian entrepreneur and investor, is best known as the cofounder of Uber and the founder of startup studio Expa. Before reshaping urban transportation with Uber, Camp created StumbleUpon, the pioneering web discovery platform acquired by eBay in 2007. At Uber, his vision helped scale the company from a niche car service into a global ride-hailing giant operating in hundreds of cities. Through Expa, he continues to back and build innovative startups, cementing his reputation as a tech visionary with a knack for disruptive ideas.

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.