James Chambers, co-owner of Cox Enterprises, represents the fourth generation of the Cox family overseeing one of America’s largest privately held conglomerates. Founded in 1898, Cox Enterprises has expanded into communications, automotive, and media, with multibillion-dollar divisions including Cox Communications and Cox Automotive. As part of the family’s leadership, Chambers focuses on sustainability, innovation, and philanthropy, helping guide the company’s transition toward cleaner technologies and long-term social impact while maintaining its legacy of family stewardship and business excellence.

James Breyer, founder and CEO of Breyer Capital, is one of the most successful venture capitalists of his generation, known for early investments in transformative technology companies. As a former partner at Accel Partners, he led the firm’s landmark investment in Facebook, which became one of the most profitable bets in venture history. Through Breyer Capital, he continues to back leading innovators in artificial intelligence, media, and healthcare. With deep ties to both Silicon Valley and China, Breyer has built a global reputation as a visionary investor bridging technology, policy, and capital.

Jahm Najafi, Iranian-American investor and philanthropist, is the founder and CEO of The Najafi Companies, a private equity firm specializing in consumer, media, sports, and technology investments. Based in Phoenix, he has built a reputation for long-term, values-driven investing, with notable stakes in ventures such as the Phoenix Suns, McLaren Racing, and other high-profile brands. Najafi also serves as vice chairman of the Phoenix Suns and is recognized for his thoughtful leadership style, combining strategic acumen with a strong commitment to social impact and community development.

Jack Schuler, veteran healthcare executive and investor, is best known for his leadership at Abbott Laboratories and Stericycle, where he helped build two of America’s most successful healthcare companies. After serving as president and COO of Abbott, he became CEO of Stericycle, transforming it into a multibillion-dollar medical waste management leader. Later, through his investment firm, he backed numerous biotech and medical device startups, shaping the future of healthcare innovation. A noted philanthropist, Schuler has also supported education and healthcare initiatives through the Schuler Education Foundation.

Jack Dorsey, tech entrepreneur and cofounder of Twitter and Block (formerly Square), has been a defining figure in the evolution of social media and digital finance. As Twitter’s cofounder and longtime CEO, he helped shape modern online communication, while at Block he revolutionized mobile payments and financial inclusion through technology. Known for his minimalist leadership style and focus on decentralization, Dorsey has increasingly turned his attention to Bitcoin and blockchain innovation, positioning himself at the intersection of technology, finance, and social change.

Jack Dangermond, founder and president of Esri, is a pioneering figure in geographic information systems (GIS) and digital mapping technology. Since founding the company in 1969 with his wife, Laura, he has transformed Esri into the global leader in GIS software, used by governments, businesses, and researchers in more than 100 countries. A landscape architect by training, Dangermond has combined environmental vision with technological innovation to help organizations make data-driven decisions about land use, sustainability, and urban planning. A dedicated philanthropist, he has donated hundreds of millions to environmental conservation and education.

J. Hyatt Brown, chairman and former CEO of Brown & Brown Insurance, built the company into one of the largest independent insurance brokerages in the United States. Taking over the family business in the late 1960s, he led decades of steady expansion through strategic acquisitions, operational discipline, and a focus on client relationships. Under his leadership, Brown & Brown became a multibillion-dollar enterprise serving customers across all 50 states. A prominent philanthropist and civic leader, Brown has also made significant contributions to education, healthcare, and community development in Florida.

Glenn Saldanha, chairman and managing director of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, has guided the India-based company into a global player in generics, specialty medicines, and innovative drug discovery. Since taking leadership in 2001, he has expanded Glenmark’s presence to over 80 countries, strengthened its R&D capabilities, and advanced its pipeline in oncology, dermatology, and respiratory therapies. With a blend of entrepreneurial drive and scientific focus, Saldanha has positioned Glenmark as a respected name in the international pharmaceutical industry while continuing his family’s legacy in healthcare.

Israel Englander, billionaire hedge fund manager, is the founder and CEO of Millennium Management, one of the world’s largest and most successful multi-strategy hedge funds. Launching the firm in 1989 with $35 million, he has grown Millennium into a powerhouse managing more than $50 billion in assets, employing a decentralized model with hundreds of portfolio managers. Known for his risk management discipline and ability to adapt to shifting markets, Englander has built a reputation as one of the most influential figures in modern hedge fund investing.

Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment, built one of the world’s largest privately held toy companies, best known for creating the global hit Bratz dolls and, more recently, the L.O.L. Surprise! franchise. An Iranian-born immigrant, Larian started with a small import business before transforming it into a multibillion-dollar toy empire that competes with industry giants like Mattel and Hasbro. Known for his bold marketing strategies and willingness to take creative risks, he has made MGA a dominant force in the global toy market while also engaging in philanthropy and outspoken advocacy on industry issues.

Irwin Jacobs, cofounder and former CEO of Qualcomm, is a pioneering engineer and entrepreneur who helped revolutionize wireless communications. After an academic career at MIT and UC San Diego, he launched Qualcomm in 1985, driving the development and commercialization of CDMA technology, which became the global standard for mobile networks. Under his leadership, Qualcomm grew into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse at the heart of the mobile phone industry. Beyond technology, Jacobs is a noted philanthropist, supporting education, science, and the arts, particularly in San Diego, where his contributions have had lasting civic impact.

Irving Grousbeck, entrepreneur, investor, and academic, is best known as cofounder of Continental Cablevision, which grew into one of the largest cable television companies in the United States before its sale to US West. After his success in media, he became a prominent figure in academia, serving as a professor at Harvard Business School and later at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he helped launch the school’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies. Grousbeck is also a co-owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics and remains influential in shaping both the entrepreneurial and investment landscapes.

Ira Rennert, billionaire industrialist, is the founder of Renco Group, a private holding company with investments in mining, metals, manufacturing, and defense. Starting in the 1970s with junk bonds, he expanded into heavy industry, building a diversified empire that has included steel, magnesium, and automotive companies. Known for his controversial business practices as well as his immense wealth, Rennert also drew attention for constructing one of the largest private homes in the United States, the 62,000-square-foot Fair Field estate in the Hamptons. Despite criticism, he remains a powerful and enduring figure in American industry and finance.

Ion Stoica, computer scientist and entrepreneur, is cofounder and executive chairman of Databricks, one of the world’s most valuable data and AI companies. A professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Stoica is also a co-creator of Apache Spark, the open-source framework that revolutionized big data processing. Under his leadership, Databricks has scaled into a multibillion-dollar enterprise serving global enterprises with cloud-based analytics and AI platforms. Known for bridging academia and industry, Stoica has become a leading figure in advancing the future of data infrastructure and machine learning.

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.

Howard Schultz, former longtime CEO and chairman emeritus of Starbucks, transformed a small Seattle coffee chain into a global brand with more than 35,000 stores worldwide. Inspired by Italy’s espresso culture, he built Starbucks into a company that blended premium coffee with community-driven “third place” experiences. Schultz became known not only for scaling the brand into a multibillion-dollar enterprise but also for his focus on employee benefits, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility. A visionary entrepreneur and occasional political voice, he remains one of the most influential figures in modern retail and consumer culture.

Howard Marks, cofounder and co-chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, is one of the most respected investors in distressed debt and value investing. Known for his widely read investment memos, Marks has built a reputation for clear thinking on risk, cycles, and market psychology. Since founding Oaktree in 1995, he has helped grow it into a global alternative asset manager with more than $150 billion under management. Revered by peers like Warren Buffett, Marks combines investment mastery with thought leadership, making him a guiding voice for both professionals and individual investors.

Roy Carroll II, founder, president, and CEO of The Carroll Companies, has built a diversified real estate empire spanning multifamily housing, commercial developments, self-storage, and luxury communities. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, the privately held company oversees billions in assets with projects across the Southeastern United States. Known for his entrepreneurial drive and long-term investment vision, Carroll has positioned his firm as a leader in regional real estate while also supporting civic and philanthropic initiatives that strengthen local communities.

Stephen Butt, member of the H-E-B founding family, plays a key leadership role in guiding the Texas-based grocery giant, one of the largest privately held retailers in the United States. With hundreds of stores across Texas and Mexico, H-E-B has become a multibillion-dollar enterprise known for its strong customer loyalty, operational excellence, and community focus. As part of the third generation of Butt family leadership, Stephen Butt has continued the legacy of innovation and philanthropy that defines the company’s enduring success.

Howard Butt III, member of the founding family of H-E-B, helps oversee one of America’s largest privately held supermarket chains. Founded in 1905, the Texas-based retailer has grown into a multibillion-dollar enterprise with hundreds of stores across Texas and Mexico. As part of the third generation of leadership, Butt has carried forward the family’s tradition of customer service, innovation, and philanthropy, ensuring H-E-B’s continued dominance in regional grocery while maintaining its reputation as a community-focused company deeply rooted in Texas culture.