Brion O’Connor

Through its City Ratings program, the nonprofit PeopleForBikes seeks to make biking safer and more accessible to people across the U.S.

After the country emerged from a devastating pandemic, the Arthritis Foundation's defining "We Journey Together" campaign needed a jump start. That opportunity presented itself in 2023, the 75th anniversary of the foundation. Working with the agency Mower, the foundation showed the difference it can make to people living with arthritis — to great effect.

An "artivist" in residence at the purpose agency Grounded World, Savon Bartley documents the human experience as an act of activism. His work in multiple facets is designed to engage, inspire, and change people's hearts.

The Sing Me a Story organization brings together patients and musicians from around the world to create unique, long-format music videos.

Participation among people of color in the outdoors is around 10 percent in the U.S. Mark Boles, founder of Massachusetts-based Intrinsic Provisions, one of just four Black-owned outdoor stores in the country, is doing his part to increase diversity in the industry. His business offers a "different approach to retail — a thoughtful, highly curated one that partners only with brands that have a positive social impact."

In December 2022, TIME and American Family Insurance bestowed their first "Dreamer of the Year" award on Donnel Baird, founder and CEO of BlocPower, a national climate technology company focused on "greening" aging urban buildings. The partnership tied nicely to American Family's tagline, "Insure Carefully, Dream Fearlessly," and was a perfect example of leading with purpose.

As head of global activism strategy, Christopher Miller advances numerous social causes to grow the Ben & Jerry's brand.

Led by Faye Nelson, the nonprofit Casting for Recovery provides women a therapeutic technique to aid their recovery from breast cancer.

For more than a century, Bollé has built a reputation for developing high-end, quality helmets and sunglasses. Under Tove Fritzell, senior director of product and innovation, the brand will soon launch a new line of products to help minimize its environmental impact and protect the outdoors.

In 2018, footwear specialist brand KEEN eliminated the use of harmful PFCs, or perfluorocarbons, in its product line. Under the leadership of Erik Burbank, KEEN hopes to help others in the industry understand the issues around PFCs and drive awareness.

After graduating from college, Paul Boudreau set his sights on changing the world. And he has — in a big way — by transforming the plastics industry through biodegradable and compostable bioplastic materials.