The New York Giants were founded in 1925 by Tim Mara and have been part of the Mara family ever since.
Team ownership was passed to Tim’s sons, Jack and Wellington Mara, in 1959, and now the team is run by principal owner, CEO, and president John Mara, who took over in 2005 after his father, Wellington’s, death. John Mara had been with the organization since 1991.
However, while John Mara is listed as the team’s principal owner, he’s actually shared ownership with Steve Tisch since 2005.
Steve Tisch’s father, Preston Robert Tisch, purchased a 50% stake in the Giants in 1991, and after his death, Steve became chairman and executive vice president.
Together, Mara and Tisch helped plan and build MetLife Stadium, and the team has won two Super Bowls (2008 and 2012) under their leadership. However, the team has struggled in recent years, winning just four games last season.
Still, the Giants are the fourth most valuable team in sports, worth $10.1 billion. Tisch has an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, Forbes reported, while Mara reportedly has an estimated net worth of $500 million.
Tisch was not named in the 2025 report card; Mara was given a C+ ownership ranking by the NFLPA.
In my early 30s, I was working long hours as the editor in chief of a magazine, juggling deadlines and the looming “should we have kids?” question — all while feeling completely wrung out. I drafted a resignation email.
When my boss called me in, she surprised me: “Take some time off,” she said. “Come back to manage a new launch later this year.”
My plan for a year off collapsed into two months.
It began quietly in India at a yoga retreat near Kerala and ended with an adventure in Indonesia, climbing Mount Bromo and motorbiking through Yogyakarta.
It wasn’t a true gap year, but it was long enough to reset. The next year, I stepped into my boss’s role, leading the creative team I’d almost left behind.
That experience made me realize that time off doesn’t have to derail a career — it can redefine it.
I wasn’t a student with few obligations or a 20-something who hadn’t settled on a career path. I was an established professional stepping away when the stakes were high.
Extended time off can carry long-term costs — lower earnings, disrupted savings, slower compounding — but for some, the benefits outweigh the risks.
David Burkus, an organizational psychologist and author, began researching sabbaticals in 2015.
“People report better mental and physical health, increased confidence, and a greater sense of purpose after an extended break,” Burkus told Business Insider.
He also notes the benefits for employers: Teams cross-train, share knowledge, and become less dependent on a few “indispensable” people.
Paid sabbaticals are still a rarity in the US. Society for Human Resource Management data showed that 5% of companies offered them in 2019, rising to 7% by 2023.
And despite employers not rolling them out broadly, employees are increasingly seeking time off. In SHRM’s 2025 benefits survey, leave was the second-highest priority for workers — trailing only health benefits — for the fourth year in a row.
A peer-reviewed study published in the Academy of Management in 2022 interviewed 50 professionals who had taken extended time off. All intervieweessaid they came back as better leaders.
DJ DiDonna, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School and coauthor of the study, says everyone he interviewed wished they had taken one earlier.
DiDonna told Business Insider that the best times for a sabbatical often coincide with natural life transitions, like a honeymoon, a newly empty nest, or the “twilight career” stage before retirement.
This collection brings together people who took that pause at different ages, for different reasons, and for vastly different lengths of time.
If you’ve taken an adult gap year yourself, I’d love to hear from you at akarplus@businessinsider.com.
When Nicolás Maduro needed someone to represent him in an American courtroom, he turned to a lawyer with experience facing off against the federal government.
The Venezuelan political leader hired Barry Pollack, a criminal defense attorney who’s represented WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, as well as other high-profile defendants.
The Justice Department has accused Maduro, who was serving as Venezuela’s president when he was captured by US forces, of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy, alleging he worked with illegal drug gangs. They also accused him and his wife, Cilia Flores, of conspiring to illegally import cocaine into the United States and of gun-related charges.
On Monday afternoon, US Marshals escorted the couple into a 26th-floor courtroom in lower Manhattan, where they entered not-guilty pleas and proclaimed their innocence. US military forces apprehended Maduro and Flores in a pre-dawn operation on Saturday in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas and brought them to the United States.
At the hearing, Pollack told US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein that he would file “voluminous and complicated” motions on Maduro’s behalf, suggesting he would challenge the charges and the basis for his arrest.
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“Mr. Maduro is the head of a sovereign state,” Pollack said in court. “He is entitled to the privileges and immunities that go with that office. In addition, there are issues about the legality of this military abduction.”
Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on Monday afternoon.
Pollack, an attorney at the boutique law firm Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler LLP, is best known as one of the many lawyers who represented Assange, the publisher of WikiLeaks.
Prosecutors had accused Assange of working with hackers to obtain government secrets from federal agencies and American companies, as well as conspiring with former US Army officer Chelsea Manning to leak documents about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Assange pleaded guilty to espionage charges in the summer of 2024, capping a six-year legal battle that involved complex negotiations with multiple governments.
Pollack’s experience with sensitive national security matters could be an asset for his representation of Maduro, which will likely involve classified information. The attorney has also represented Jeffrey Sterling, a former CIA officer who was convicted of espionage charges after leaking information to a journalist.
Barry Pollack, on the left, represented Maduro in Manhattan federal court on Monday afternoon.
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters
To be paid, Pollack will likely need a waiver from the US Treasury Department, which has sanctioned Maduro and the Venezuelan government.
It’s not clear when Pollack began representing Maduro. He formally entered an appearance on the court docket late Monday morning. Maduro was first indicted in 2020, and Hellerstein has overseen court proceedings against other Venezuelan nationals accused of conspiring with him. Pollack didn’t respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.
A court-appointed lawyer for Maduro, David Wikstrom, told Business Insider he was informed at 8:40 a.m. on Monday that he would be representing the Venezuelan president in court. Shortly before the noon court hearing, he said he still hadn’t spoken to Pollack, who ultimately represented Maduro in the proceeding.
Flores is represented by Mark Donnelly, a Texas-based attorney who served as a federal prosecutor for 12 years, and one of his law partners, Andres Sanchez.
Pollack, a former public defender and president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, has a long track record of successful defense outcomes in criminal trials.
He represented former Enron accountant Michael W. Krautz, who a jury acquitted of fraud charges. And he successfully overturned the conviction of Martin Tankleff, a Long Island man who spent 17 years in prison after he was falsely accused of killing his parents as a teenager.
More recently, Pollack represented the executive of a poultry company accused of conspiring to fix the price of chickens. Jurors declined to find the executive guilty in two separate trials.
In a 2025 interview with Lawdragon, Pollack decried the Justice Department’s “extraordinary view” of its jurisdiction for criminal cases, using the Assange case as an example.
“You’ve got somebody who’s not a United States citizen who is publishing information not in the United States, had not set foot in the United States, with respect to any of the alleged offensive conduct,” Pollack said. “The information was leaked to him by somebody in Iraq. Yet the United States obviously felt that it could pursue that as a criminal offense in the United States.”
Schlossberg, 32, is the youngest son of Caroline Kennedy, the former US ambassador to Japan and the only surviving child of John F. Kennedy, and Edwin Schlossberg, a designer and author.
In November, he announced would be campaigning for a congressional seat in New York City’s 12th district.
“I’m not running because I have all the answers to our problems,” he said in a video announcing his candidacy. “I’m running because the people of New York 12 do. I want to listen to your struggles, hear your stories, amplify your voice, go to Washington, and execute on your behalf.”
He was born in New York City and graduated from The Collegiate School, an all-boys private school in Manhattan, the New York Post reported. He later attended Yale University as an undergrad, and he graduated from Harvard in 2022. In 2023, Schlossberg told People he had passed the New York State Bar exam.
“I’m inspired by my family’s legacy of public service,” Schlossberg said in his first live television interview on “Today” in 2017. “It’s something that I’m very proud of.”
However, Schlossberg has been criticized in recent years for his out-there videos on social media, with even some family members criticizing his “trolling,” particularly of his cousin Robert F. Kennedy, online, The New York Post reported.
“I hope he gets the help he needs,” Kennedy’s daughter, Kathleen “Kick” Kennedy, told The Post in February.
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2025 has been a big year for retail CEO transition announcements.
Roughly 45 retailers said they are changing leadership, up from about 32 the year before.
Here are some of the more notable retail chains that are getting a new CEO.
2025 may go down as the end of an era in retail.
This was the year that the longtime CEOs at two of the largest chains decided to hand the reins over to their corporate proteges.
The retirements of Walmart’s Doug McMillon and Target’s Brian Cornell come as the industry is facing an array of new (and long-term) challenges in the form of a global trade rebalancing, accelerated adoption of AI, and increasingly stretched US household budgets.
Fresh legs might be a welcome addition in this race.
Dozens of smaller retailers have taken the opportunity to shake up the C-suite as well.
Analysis from leadership consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas found that 43 retail companies announced CEO exits in the first 10 months of this year, up from 32 in the same period last year. A few more announcements have come through since.
Here are some of the major retail chains that are getting a new CEO in the new year.
Walmart — John Furner
Walmart’s incoming CEO, John Furner. Walmart
Walmart said in November that the company’s US division CEO, John Furner, would become president and CEO on February 1.
Like outgoing CEO Doug McMillon, Furner has been with Walmart for decades, starting as an hourly associate and working his way up through the ranks.
Target — Michael Fiddelke
Target has tapped Michael Fiddelke as its new CEO. Target
Target said in August that chief operating officer Michael Fiddelke would succeed Brian Cornell on February 1, with Cornell remaining on the board as Executive Chair.
Fiddelke has been with the company for 20 years, starting as a finance intern and moving through roles in merchandising, finance, operations, and human resources.
Camping World — Matthew Wagner
A Camping World RV dealership in Florida. John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images
RV dealer Camping World said in December that founder Marcus Lemonis would step down as CEO on January 1, with company president Matthew Wagner taking over.
Wagner has been with Camping World since 2007, serving in numerous leadership roles before being appointed chief operating officer in 2023 and president in 2024.
Kraft Heinz — Steve Cahillane
Kraft Heinz has tapped Steve Cahillane as its new CEO. Kraft Heinz
Kraft Heinz said in December that it has snagged Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane to take over from Carlos Abrams-Rivera on January 1.
The company will later split into two publicly traded companies, North American Grocery Co. and Global Taste Elevation Co., with Cahillane remaining in charge of the latter.
Cahillane has a long career leading consumer products companies like The Nature’s Bounty Co. and Coca-Cola’s Americas division. He also spent eight years with AB InBev.
Kohl’s — Michael Bender
Kohl’s has made Michael Bender its permanent CEO. Kohl’s
In fairness, Michael Bender’s transition effectively happened back in May, but Kohl’s made it official in late November when the retailer said Bender would go from interim CEO to a permanent appointment.
That means Kohl’s will start the new year with one less distraction under the leadership of a highly experienced retail executive who has already had a positive impact on the company.
Lululemon — Meghan Frank and André Maestrini (for now)
Lululemon has appointed Meghan Frank and André Maestrini as interim co-CEOs. Lululemon
Athleisure brand Lululemon said in December that it was parting ways with CEO Calvin McDonald on January 31, but hasn’t yet identified a permanent successor.
In the meantime, the company said board chair Marti Morfitt would expand her role to become executive chair, and that CFO Meghan Frank, chief commercial officer André Maestrini would serve as interim co-CEOs following McDonald’s departure.
7-Eleven — Stan Reynolds and Doug Rosencrans
A 7-Eleven store in Florida. Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Parent company Seven & i Holdings said in December that CEO Joe DePinto would retire at the end of the year. The company’s current president, Stan Reynolds, and chief operating officer, Doug Rosencrans, are set to serve as co-CEOs until a permanent successor is hired.
Berkshire Hathaway is reshuffling its top ranks ahead of the departure of its legendary CEO, Warren Buffett, in January.
The company announced on Monday that Todd Combs, one of Buffett’s key deputies and CEO of Berkshire-owned Geico, is departing the company to take on a role at JPMorgan.
Alongside Combs’ departure, Berkshire Hathaway announced a series of new leadership appointments.
The company said that the new leaders are “stewards of the company’s culture, demonstrate strong business acumen and judgment, and enable Berkshire’s distinctive way of operating.”
The shake-up of Berkshire Hathaway’s top ranks comes weeks before Greg Abel is due to take over from Warren Buffett as CEO in January. 95-year-old Buffett will remain as chairman of the business that he has led for the past 60 years.
Here’s the full list of appointments, most of which are effective immediately, according to Berkshire Hathaway’s Monday announcement.
Nancy Pierce becomes Geico CEO
The Geico Gecko is one of America’s best-known corporate mascots.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Nancy Pierce is succeeding Todd Combs as CEO of Geico, the auto insurer owned by Berkshire Hathaway and one of the conglomerate’s core subsidiaries.
Pierce joined Geico in 1986 and was chief operating officer of the company before being tapped as CEO. She has held leadership roles across claims, underwriting, product management, and regional operations.
“Nancy knows the business inside and out. She’s practical, decisive, and focused on results,” said Ajit Jain, vice chairman for insurance operations.
Adam Johnson takes over as head of Berkshire’s consumer division
Adam Johnson has been appointed president of Berkshire Hathaway’s consumer products, service, and retailing businesses.
Johnson has been CEO of the Berkshire-owned private jet company NetJets for over 10 years — a role he’ll continue alongside the new appointment.
“Adam is an accomplished leader with a proven ability to deliver long-term shareholder value,” said Abel, Berkshire’s incoming CEO, in Monday’s press release.
“In his new role, he will support the outstanding CEOs of our 32 consumer products, service, and retailing businesses, and uphold Berkshire’s culture and values.”
Johnson’s new role hints at Abel’s plans for Berkshire. Under Buffett, the incoming CEO oversaw all non-insurance businesses.
The new CEO is splitting up the non-insurance businesses owned by the company.
Johnson will be in charge of consumer firms like See’s Candies and Fruit of the Loom, while Abel will manage the rest, including BNSF Railway, BHE, Pilot, and McLane, alongside his CEO duties.
Greg Abel will succeed Warren Buffett as Berkshire Hathaway CEO in January.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Marc Hamburg retires as chief financial officer
Marc Hamburg, the long-serving senior vice president and chief financial officer of Berkshire Hathaway, will retire on June 1, 2027.
Now 75 years old, Hamburg joined Berkshire in 1987.
Hamburg’s role was to oversee the conglomerate’s finances. The company hit a record $1 trillion market value in August 2024 and is currently valued at $1.09 trillion.
“Marc has been indispensable to Berkshire and to me. His integrity and judgment are priceless. He has done more for this company than many of our shareholders will ever know,” said Buffett in Monday’s press release.
“His impact has been extraordinary.”
Charles Chang replaces Hamburg
Stepping into Hamburg’s shoes when he retires in June 2027 is Charles Chang.
Chang has been a senior vice president and chief financial officer of Berkshire Hathaway Energy since 2024, and will take over as finance chief of Berkshire. He will be based in Omaha.
Chang is a former partner at the Big Four professional services firm PwC, where he developed over three decades of experience in public company financial reporting and mergers and acquisitions for some of PwC’s largest clients.
Michael O’Sullivan joins as general counsel
A new position has been created for Michael O’Sullivan when he joins Berkshire on January 1, 2026.
O’Sullivan will become senior vice president and general counsel at Berkshire and will be based in Omaha. The company has historically relied primarily on external legal counsel for corporate matters.
O’Sullivan was formerly an attorney at Munger, Tolles & Olson — the firm founded by Buffett’s late right-hand man, Charlie Munger — for over twenty years.
The law firm has been Berkshire’s go-to law firm for decades, meaning O’Sullivan knows the company well. He joins from Snap, where he has served as general counsel since 2017.
