Known for: Lotus (acquired in 1995 for $3.5 billion)

Quote: ”Building a workplace which engages a diversity of employees and brings out their best makes a far greater contribution than financial success alone.”

About: A pioneer of the personal computing industry who has been at the forefront of information technology for more than 30 years as an entrepreneur, software designed, and investor. Founded Lotus Development Corporation and designed Lotus 1-2-3, the office application which made the personal computer ubiquitous in the business world in the 1980s. Served as president (later as chairman) and chief executive officer of Lotus from 1982 to 1986, and as a director until 1987. In 1983, Lotus’s first year of operations, the company achieved revenues of $53 million; by 1984, revenues were $156 million. In 1985, Lotus employed 1,300 people. IBM acquired Lotus in 1995 for $3.5 billion.

University education: B.A. in Cybernetics, Yale