Howard Schultz is an American businessman best known for his role as the former CEO of Starbucks, a global coffeehouse chain. He joined the company in 1982 and played a significant role in transforming it from a small coffee bean retailer into a worldwide brand. Schultz is credited with popularizing the concept of the coffee shop as a social gathering place. In addition to his work with Starbucks, Schultz has been involved in various philanthropic efforts and has written books on leadership and business. He briefly ran for the presidency of the United States in 2020 as an independent candidate, focusing on issues like economic inequality and social justice.