Aoki was the Jheri-curled restaurateur behind Benihana, the chain of Japanese steakhouse popular with kids, tourists and people who care more about flash than food. He died on July 10, 2008.

Alfred Portale is the chef and co-owner of one of New York's most celebrated restaurants, Gotham Bar and Grill.

Zakarian is the chef and owner of the New American/French restaurant Town. He's also the owner of Country on Madison Avenue.

Matt Hiltzik is the founder of the strategic communications firm Hiltzik Strategies. His clients include major media figures like Katie Couric, Don Imus, and Harvey and Bob Weinstein.

One of the most powerful celebrity publicists, Sunshine is the chief of the PR agency that bears his name.

Edelman heads the largest independent PR firm in the United States, Edelman, Inc.

The founder of Paul Wilmot Communications, Paul Wilmot is one of biggest names in fashion publicity.

An all-around master of hype, Zarem was New York's original celebrity publicist, that is until he retired in 2010.

The executive vice president of Rogers & Cowan, Fran Curtis is publicist to a long list of celebs and rock legends.

Gruber is a fashion publicist and the head of the PR firm Full Picture. She's also an executive producer of Project Runway and the wife of actor Kyle MacLachlan.

Mirrer is the head of the benign-sounding but surprisingly controversial New-York Historical Society. (Yes, that's "New-York.")

One of New York's most ubiquitous (and despised) publicists, Peggy Siegal is best known for orchestrating some of the city's biggest parties and movie screenings.

Kopp's Teach for America sticks recent college grads in crummy public schools in an effort to improve the American educational system.

A former attorney and city commissioner, Jennifer Raab now heads up Hunter College, the crown jewel of the city's college system.

The daughter of fashion billionaire Ralph Lauren, Dylan Lauren runs Dylan's Candy Bar, a chain of upscale candy stores.

The founder of Grubman PR, it was Lizzie's turn at the wheel of an SUV that made her a household name.

April Bloomfield

Danny Errico

The granddaddy of private equity and a legendary media and technology investor, Patricof is currently the chairman of Apax Partners and the founder of Greycroft LLC.

Silvano Marchetto