Ronald Wayne Burkle (born November 12, 1952) is an American businessman. He is the co-founder and managing partner of The Yucaipa Companies, LLC, a private investment firm that specializes in U.S. companies in the distribution, logistics, food, retail, consumer, hospitality, entertainment, sports, and light industrial sectors. Burkle's net worth was estimated at US$2 billion in February 12, 2018. He had been ranked No. 633 on Forbes' list of "The Richest People on The Planet 2014." Burkle is a prominent Democratic activist and fundraiser.