M. Farooq Kathwari, Chairman, President and Chief Executive officer of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. He was born in Kashmir. The numerous honors he has received in recognition of his business accomplishments and civic involvement include the U.S. State Department’s “Outstanding American by Choice Award.”
Paquito D’Rivera, distinguished jazz player, instrumentalist and composer. A native of Cuba, he has won 11 Grammy awards and currently serves as Artist-in-Residence at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Previous honors include the National Medal for the Arts and the Living Jazz Legend Award. He has also been honored by the Kennedy Center, the International Association for Jazz Musicians, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Shazi Visram, founder and CEO of HappyFamily Brands, a producer of organic food for babies and children. She was born in Canada to parents who were originally from Pakistan and Tanzania. Her numerous honors include the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2011. She and her company, also known as HappyBaby, have been featured in television commercials for the American Express Gold Card.
