June 09

Born in Derbyshire in 1768, Slater apprenticed in textile mills and mastered spinning technology. In 1789, he emigrated to the United States and built the first water-powered cotton spinning mill at Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His replication of British textile machinery sparked the growth of American manufacturing. Slater founded several mills and became a leading entrepreneur in the early U.S. economy. He is credited with revolutionizing textile production and laying the foundation for industrialization in America.

Born in 1906 in Seattle, Graham made his fortune in manufacturing and venture investments. In 1980, he established the Repository for Germinal Choice, a controversial sperm bank aimed at improving human genetics. His eugenicist beliefs sparked ethical debates and media attention worldwide. Graham funded scholarships for researchers and promoted scientific approaches to heredity. Despite criticism, he believed his work could advance human potential and reduce genetic disease. He died in 1997, leaving a provocative and contested legacy in both business and science.

Herman Sarkowsky was born in 1925 in Berlin and emigrated to the United States as a teenager. He built a successful real estate and development company in Seattle, contributing to the city’s growth. In 1974, he co-founded the Seattle Seahawks, bringing professional football to the Pacific Northwest. Sarkowsky also held ownership stakes in the Seattle Pilots baseball team and the NBA’s SuperSonics. A dedicated philanthropist, he supported arts, education, and Jewish community initiatives. He passed away in 2014, remembered for his entrepreneurial vision and charitable work.

Jeremy Hardie, born June 9, 1938, is an English economist and businessman whose career bridges academic research and corporate leadership. He published influential work on monetary policy and market regulation while serving in university posts. Later, Hardie transitioned to business, serving on boards of major UK companies and advising on strategic planning. His insights have shaped discussions on corporate accountability, financial oversight, and economic reform. He continues to work as a consultant and speaker on economic and governance issues.

André Vallerand is a Canadian entrepreneur and former provincial politician born in 1940. He founded and managed companies in the hospitality and technology industries, earning a reputation for innovative business leadership. In the late 1980s, Vallerand was elected to Quebec's National Assembly, where he held ministerial portfolios related to economic development and tourism. During his tenure, he championed policies to attract foreign investment and support small businesses. After leaving public office, he returned to the private sector, serving on corporate boards and advising startups. Vallerand has been recognized with awards for his contributions to both business and public service. His dual career has had a lasting impact on Quebec's economic landscape.

Born in Baghdad in 1943 and raised in London, Charles Saatchi co-founded the advertising firm Saatchi & Saatchi with his brother in 1970. Under his leadership, the agency grew into one of the world's largest and most influential advertising networks, known for its bold creative campaigns. Saatchi later turned his passion toward contemporary art, amassing a major collection and establishing the Saatchi Gallery in London. His patronage helped launch the careers of several Young British Artists in the 1990s. Even after selling his stake, he remained an important figure in both the advertising and art worlds.