Scott Cook, cofounder of Intuit, helped build one of the most influential financial software companies in the world by simplifying accounting, taxes, and personal finance for consumers and small businesses. Launching Intuit in 1983 with Quicken and later TurboTax and QuickBooks, Cook championed a customer-driven innovation model that turned the company into a dominant fintech platform. He served as CEO and later executive chairman, shaping Intuit’s long-term strategy and culture while guiding its expansion into cloud-based financial tools. Cook is also a major philanthropist focused on education reform and civic innovation.

Sanjit Biswas, cofounder and CEO of Samsara, built one of the leading industrial IoT and operations platforms by bringing real-time data, sensors, and cloud software to fleets, factories, and infrastructure. A serial entrepreneur and MIT-trained engineer, Biswas previously cofounded Meraki, which was acquired by Cisco, before launching Samsara to modernize physical operations through connectivity and analytics. Under his leadership, the company scaled rapidly across logistics, construction, and manufacturing, helping enterprises digitize frontline operations and improve safety and efficiency at scale.

Tony Tamer, cofounder and co-CEO of H.I.G. Capital, built one of the world’s largest middle-market private equity firms by focusing on operational turnarounds, carve-outs, and complex buyouts. Since launching H.I.G. in 1993, Tamer has helped expand the firm into a global platform investing across private equity, credit, and real assets, with a reputation for hands-on management and disciplined value creation. Known for deep operational engagement and long-term partnerships with management teams, he has positioned H.I.G. as a dominant force in middle-market investing.

Sami Mnaymneh, cofounder and co-CEO of H.I.G. Capital, built one of the world’s largest middle-market private equity firms by focusing on complex carve-outs, underperforming businesses, and operational turnarounds. Since launching H.I.G. in 1993, Mnaymneh has helped scale the firm into a global platform investing across private equity, credit, and real assets, with a reputation for hands-on value creation and disciplined dealmaking. Known for deep operational involvement and a global investment footprint, he has positioned H.I.G. as a dominant force in middle-market buyouts and special situations.

Ryan Smith, cofounder and executive chairman of Qualtrics, built one of the most influential enterprise software companies of the cloud era by turning experience data into a core business discipline. Starting Qualtrics in his parents’ basement in Utah, Smith scaled it into a global platform used by corporations and governments to measure customer, employee, and brand experience. After selling Qualtrics to SAP in a blockbuster deal, he later guided its public market return and continued expanding the product vision around analytics and decision intelligence. Smith is also a high-profile sports owner, leading the ownership group of the Utah Jazz and investing heavily in community and innovation initiatives.

Ryan Kavanaugh, founder of Relativity Media, rose to prominence by creating an ambitious Hollywood financing and production model that combined film development with structured finance. During the 2000s, he became one of the industry’s most visible dealmakers, backing major movies and building Relativity into a significant studio brand with large-scale distribution partnerships. His career has also been marked by controversy, legal disputes, and the eventual bankruptcy of Relativity, making him a polarizing figure in entertainment and corporate finance. Kavanaugh remains associated with high-risk, high-profile business strategy at the intersection of media and capital markets.

Ryan Graves, early executive and cofounder of Uber, helped scale one of the most disruptive transportation companies in history from a small startup into a global ride-hailing platform. As Uber’s first CEO and later a key operational leader, Graves played a central role in launching the service in new markets, building teams, and establishing the company’s hypergrowth playbook. After leaving Uber, he became an active investor and philanthropist, backing technology startups and supporting initiatives in education and community development. His career reflects early-stage execution at scale and a lasting impact on the modern mobility economy.

Ryan Cohen, entrepreneur and activist investor, is best known for founding Chewy and for leading the shareholder-driven transformation of GameStop. After selling Chewy to PetSmart, Cohen took a major stake in GameStop and became chairman, pushing the company to reinvent itself from a declining brick-and-mortar retailer into a more technology-oriented business. Known for intense customer focus, contrarian thinking, and a preference for operating with minimal public commentary, he has become a central figure in modern retail disruption and meme-stock era corporate activism.

Ryan Breslow, founder of Bolt, emerged as one of fintech’s most recognizable young entrepreneurs by building a one-click checkout platform designed to rival the dominance of legacy payments giants. After founding Bolt in 2014, Breslow positioned the company around speed, fraud prevention, and merchant-first economics, signing major retail clients and raising capital at multibillion-dollar valuations. Known for aggressive ambition and a polarizing leadership style, his tenure also drew scrutiny over corporate governance and internal disputes, making Bolt a high-profile case study in hypergrowth startup culture and fintech competition.

Ross Perot Jr., businessman and real estate developer, built a major presence in transportation and property development while extending the Perot family legacy beyond technology. As chairman of Hillwood, he expanded the company into one of the most important industrial real estate and logistics developers in the United States, building massive distribution hubs, mixed-use communities, and aviation-linked projects. Perot also played a pioneering role in global aviation as part of the first circumnavigation of the world by helicopter. Known for long-term infrastructure vision and disciplined execution, he remains a central figure in modern logistics real estate and Dallas business leadership.

Todd Wanek, president and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries, has led the world’s largest home furnishings manufacturer through global expansion, vertical integration, and modernized supply chain execution. The son of founder Ronald Wanek, he helped scale Ashley’s manufacturing footprint, logistics capabilities, and retail partnerships, strengthening the company’s ability to deliver mass-market furniture at enormous volume. Known for operational intensity and disciplined leadership, Wanek has steered Ashley through shifting consumer demand, e-commerce disruption, and complex global sourcing challenges while keeping the business privately held and growth-focused.

Ronald Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, built the world’s largest home furnishings manufacturer by mastering scale production, vertical integration, and mass-market distribution. Starting the business in the 1970s, Wanek expanded Ashley into a global furniture powerhouse with manufacturing across the U.S. and internationally, supported by one of the largest retail networks in the industry. Known for operational discipline and private ownership focus, he turned furniture—a traditionally fragmented category—into an empire defined by efficiency and logistics strength.

Ronald Perelman, billionaire investor and corporate dealmaker, built his fortune through high-profile acquisitions and turnarounds across consumer goods, manufacturing, and media. As chairman of MacAndrews & Forbes, he assembled a vast portfolio of iconic brands, most notably through Revlon, while becoming one of the defining figures of the 1980s takeover era. Known for aggressive negotiation and opportunistic investing, Perelman has remained a powerful force in American business for decades. He is also a major philanthropist and prominent art collector, supporting medical research, education, and cultural institutions.

Ronald Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder fortune, built a multifaceted career spanning global business, diplomacy, and cultural leadership. As a longtime leader and major shareholder of Estée Lauder Companies, he helped expand the cosmetics empire into an international powerhouse of prestige beauty brands. Lauder also served as U.S. ambassador to Austria and became one of the world’s most influential art patrons, including leadership at the Jewish Museum in New York and major involvement in efforts to recover Nazi-looted art. Known for strategic philanthropy and cultural advocacy, Lauder’s influence extends far beyond consumer brands into politics, education, and heritage preservation.

Ronald F. Clarke, founder and longtime CEO of Corpay, Inc. (formerly FleetCor Technologies), built one of the most successful corporate payments platforms by consolidating specialized B2B payment markets and scaling them globally. Under his leadership, the company expanded far beyond fuel cards into cross-border payments, commercial payables, toll and lodging solutions, and expense management—largely through disciplined acquisitions and operational efficiency. Clarke became known for building a high-margin fintech powerhouse serving enterprises, fleet operators, and government clients worldwide.

Ronald Burkle, cofounder of Yucaipa Companies, built a multibillion-dollar fortune through opportunistic investing in consumer, retail, and real estate assets, often targeting complex, distressed, or underappreciated situations. Known for strategic dealmaking and behind-the-scenes influence, Burkle has taken major stakes in grocery, food, and hospitality businesses while also expanding into entertainment and sports-related investments. A longtime philanthropist, he supports medical research, social programs, and cultural institutions through the Burkle Foundation. His career reflects a blend of contrarian capital allocation, high-level networks, and diversified ownership across consumer-driven industries.

Ronald Baron, founder and CEO of Baron Capital, built one of the most respected long-term growth investing firms by combining rigorous fundamental research with patient, conviction-driven portfolio management. Starting the firm in 1982, Baron developed a reputation for investing early in high-quality companies and holding for decades, compounding returns through long-duration ownership. He is widely known for his early, high-profile investment in Tesla, as well as success across technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors. Baron’s career reflects disciplined optimism, founder alignment, and a rare commitment to long-term value creation.

Ron Conway, founder of SV Angel, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential early-stage investors, known for backing some of the most successful technology companies of the modern era. Often called the “Godfather of Silicon Valley,” Conway made early investments in companies such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Airbnb, and PayPal, building a legendary track record in startup finance. Beyond investing, he is a major civic force in San Francisco and California, actively shaping policy conversations around housing, homelessness, and technology’s role in society. Conway’s career reflects unmatched network power, founder access, and long-term influence in venture capital.

Romesh Wadhwani, founder and chairman of SymphonyAI, built a major enterprise AI platform focused on industry-specific software for data-intensive sectors such as retail, financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare. A serial entrepreneur and investor, Wadhwani assembled SymphonyAI through acquisitions and product integration, positioning it as a vertically focused alternative to generic AI tools by embedding analytics and machine learning into mission-critical business workflows. Known for long-term vision and execution discipline, he has also become a prominent philanthropist through the Wadhwani Foundation, supporting entrepreneurship, education, and healthcare innovation globally.

Roger Penske, founder and chairman of Penske Corporation, built one of the most influential transportation and automotive empires in the world, spanning truck leasing, logistics, dealerships, and motorsports. A racing legend turned industrial operator, Penske scaled Penske Truck Leasing and Penske Automotive Group into global leaders through disciplined execution and operational excellence. He is also an iconic force in racing as owner of Team Penske and steward of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar, extending his impact from business to the very infrastructure of American motorsport. Penske’s career is defined by precision, scale, and relentless performance.