July 06

Born in 1856, George Howard Earle Jr. built a career as a corporate attorney in Philadelphia, advising banks and railroads during a period of rapid industrial growth. He later engaged in real estate development and served on several corporate boards. His civic involvement included supporting local charitable organizations. As the patriarch of a prominent family, his legacy continued through his son, Governor George Howard Earle III of Pennsylvania.

Born on July 6, 1884, Harold Stirling Vanderbilt was the youngest son of William Kissam Vanderbilt and a prominent figure in business and sports. He served on the boards of major railroads, including the New York Central Railroad, shaping North American transportation. An avid yachtsman, Vanderbilt led his team to three gold medals in sailing at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. His passion for card games led him to develop the modern scoring system for contract bridge, cementing his legacy in the world of mind sports. Vanderbilt held leadership roles in social and philanthropic organizations, supporting education and the arts. Known for his competitive spirit and innovative mind, he bridged the worlds of business and recreation. He remained active in sailing competitions until late in life. Vanderbilt passed away in 1970, leaving an enduring impact on both industry and sport.

Born in 1914, Vince McMahon Sr. transformed regional wrestling events into nationwide spectacles. He reorganized the Capitol Wrestling Corporation into the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), later known as WWE. Under his leadership, televised wrestling gained mass appeal and established future production standards. McMahon Sr.’s promotional innovations laid the groundwork for the modern sports entertainment industry. He mentored his son, Vince Jr., ensuring the company’s continued growth after his death in 1984. His legacy endures in the global reach and popularity of professional wrestling today.

Born in 1939 in France, Gérard Bourgoin built his wealth in the poultry industry before entering sports management. He took over as president of AJ Auxerre in 1978, working alongside coach Guy Roux to elevate the club to France's top division. Under his leadership, Auxerre won its first major trophy—the Coupe de France—in 1994 and competed regularly in European competitions. Bourgoin also served in executive roles within the Ligue de Football Professionnel, influencing French football governance. His business acumen and passion for the sport left a lasting mark on both his local club and national football administration.

Maria Wasiak (born 1960) is a Polish business leader and politician with a career spanning both corporate and public sectors. She served as Minister of Infrastructure and Development, overseeing major transportation and urban planning initiatives. Prior to her government appointment, she held senior management roles in state-owned enterprises, including as CEO of Polish State Railways. Wasiak focused on modernizing infrastructure networks and improving regional connectivity. She championed sustainable development and led investment strategies to enhance public works. Her leadership bridged public policy and business interests, contributing to Poland's economic growth.

Born in New York City, Karp taught himself web development at a young age. In 2007, he launched Tumblr, a microblogging platform that revolutionized online publishing with its simple interface. Under his leadership, Tumblr grew to over 200 million blogs by the time Yahoo acquired it for $1.1 billion in 2013. Karp served as Tumblr's CEO until 2017, shaping modern internet culture and social sharing. Since stepping down, he has invested in technology startups and remains an influential figure in the tech community.