Joe Dominguez (1938–1997) was a Wall Street financial analyst who retired at age 31 by following a nine-step program of his own devising. A pioneering figure in the Voluntary Simplicity movement, he urged Americans to save money and reduce consumption. He co-wrote the influential book Your Money or Your Life with his partner Vicki Robin, and died of cancer in January 1997.

Vicki Robin is an American writer and speaker.

Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D., is an American psychologist and author best known for her research on mindset, motivation, and success. She coined the term "growth mindset" and brought it mainstream with her 2006 book *Mindset: The New Psychology of Success*. She has held professorships at Columbia and Harvard Universities, has lectured worldwide, and is married to David Goldman, a national theatre director and founder of the National Center for New Plays at Stanford.

Adam Smith was a Scottish economist and philosopher who was a pioneer in the field of political economy and key figure during the Scottish Enlightenment.

Stephen Richards Covey was an American educator, author, businessman, and speaker.

Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was a Florentine diplomat, author, philosopher, and historian who lived during the Italian Renaissance.