Howard Schultz.

Howard Schultz is the former Chairman and CEO of Starbucks, the company he transformed from a small Seattle coffee bean retailer into the world's largest coffeehouse chain with over 38,000 stores in 80+ countries.

Schultz joined Starbucks in 1982 and, inspired by Italian espresso bars, convinced the company to begin serving espresso drinks. He later acquired Starbucks and as CEO grew it from 11 stores to a global empire. Schultz is widely recognized for pioneering the "third place" concept-creating a space between home and work where communities could gather. He also introduced groundbreaking employee benefits including healthcare coverage and stock options for part-time workers, setting a standard for corporate social responsibility. Schultz returned as CEO multiple times during periods of challenge, demonstrating his commitment to the brand. His journey from growing up in public housing in Brooklyn to building a global brand worth tens of billions is one of the most celebrated entrepreneurial stories in American history.