April 25

Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937) was an Italian inventor and businessman widely credited with the development of practical wireless telegraphy. He transmitted the first radio signals across the Atlantic Ocean in 1901, demonstrating the potential of long-range communication. Marconi founded the Marconi Company, which advanced radio technology and broadcasting worldwide. He formulated Marconi's law, describing signal strength over distance, and held numerous patents. In recognition of his achievements, he shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909. Marconi's work laid the foundation for modern radio, radar, and wireless communications.

Jacob Nicol (1876–1958) was a Canadian lawyer, publisher, and political figure in Quebec. He co-founded the newspaper La Patrie and managed several other francophone publications, influencing public opinion. Nicol served as Mayor of Trois-Rivières from 1919 to 1922 and represented the district in the Quebec Legislative Assembly. In 1935, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada, where he worked on issues affecting Quebec until his death. His career bridged journalism, law, and governance, leaving a lasting impact on Quebec's political and media landscapes.

Born in 1925, Tony Christopher rose through the ranks of the British labor movement to become a prominent trade union leader, negotiating key agreements for improved wages and working conditions. Elevated to the peerage as Baron Christopher, he leveraged his position in the House of Lords to advocate for social justice and economic reform. Simultaneously, Christopher pursued business interests, founding companies in the manufacturing and services sectors. His dual roles bridged the worlds of labor advocacy and corporate leadership, earning him respect across political and economic spheres. Christopher’s career underscores the potential for cooperation between employers and employees in fostering growth and fairness.

Sir Peter Sutherland (1946-2018) was an Irish barrister and public servant renowned for his leadership in international trade and corporate governance. He served as Attorney General of Ireland from 1981 to 1982 before being appointed European Commissioner for Competition from 1985 to 1989. He then led the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade as director-general and became the inaugural Director-General of the World Trade Organization. Following his public service career, he held prominent roles in the private sector, including chairman of BP and Goldman Sachs International. A dedicated advocate for sustainable development, he was appointed a United Nations Environment Programme Goodwill Ambassador. His career left a lasting impact on global trade liberalization and modern corporate leadership.

Zev Siegl is an American entrepreneur best known as one of the three co-founders of Starbucks in 1971. He helped open the company's first store at Seattle's Pike Place Market, laying the foundation for its international growth. During his tenure, Siegl focused on product quality and customer experience that defined the Starbucks brand. After leaving the company, he became a professional speaker, business coach, and startup mentor. Siegl has delivered over 1,500 keynote speeches worldwide, sharing insights on entrepreneurship and leadership. He continues to support small businesses and innovation through consulting and educational programs.

Joy Covey served as Chief Financial Officer of Amazon.com from 1996 to 2001, overseeing the company's finances during its transition to a public company. She was instrumental in guiding Amazon through rapid expansion and establishing financial credibility with investors. Prior to Amazon, she held leadership roles at Lotus Development and PG&E, and founded her own software venture. After her tenure at Amazon, Covey served on various corporate boards and invested in technology startups. She was also an advocate for women in business and technology. Covey's life was tragically cut short in 2013 following a bicycling accident.