The 50 Most Innovative Humans of 2023 (Part 1)

Hello and happy Tuesday our lovely readers of Monarch,

It’s me, Bailey, back with an article I did NOT forget to write ❤️ 

Grab a cup of tea or your favorite snack, because we've got something a little different brewing in our two editions this week! 2023 drawing nearer to its close means a lot of final verdicts will be rolling in… in the form of Top X lists we’re about to get a bunch of random ‘Top x’ lists everywhere 📜 

Some examples include:

• Top listened to Artists around the world in 2023

• Highest earning companies of 2023

• The best memes of 2023

• (You get the idea)

One such list was recently revealed, but its implications on our daily life are especially applicable, since this list focuses on the FUTURE 🔮👀.

Today & Thursday, I’ll be your guide through the mesmerizing maze of the modern work world as we dive into the 'Forbes Future of Work 50, 2023'. Think of it as a VIP backstage pass to meet the 50 rockstars working to revolutionize how we work, innovate, and break new ground in our careers (in bite-size pieces 🥐).

From AI wizards to economic trailblazers, we're spotlighting the first 25 trendsetters Forbes has chosen to shine the spotlight on this year, as aren’t just predicting the future; they're crafting it with their bare hands and brilliant minds 🤝🧠.

Without further adieu, let's roll out the red carpet and meet these workplace wizards who are reshaping our professional landscapes! 🌟💼🚀

*Note for below list: FoW50 = Future of Work 50 2023 (I made this acronym up)

✨LET’S DO THIS✨

(1) Sam Altman and (2) Mira Murati

• Roles: Cofounder and Chief Technology Officer

• Company: OpenAI

• Why FoW50?: Revolutionizing the world of generative artificial intelligence with ChatGPT, Altman and Murati at OpenAI have received significant investor backing, including a $10 BILLION investment from Microsoft.
  They advocate for the benefits of AI while cautioning about its risks, contributing to a shift in work dynamics through their innovative technologies.
  I STRONGLY recommend popping Sam’s AI testimony to Congress on in the background whenever you have 2 hours and 50 minutes - it’s incredible to hear how an AI pioneer warns congress of the dangers of delaying regulation in this industry 💪🏼

(3) Dario Amodei and (4) Daniela Amodei

• Roles: Cofounders

• Company: Anthropic

• Why FoW50?: After leaving OpenAI, the Amodei siblings established Anthropic, focusing on AI with partnerships like Zoom and Boston Consulting Group. Backed by substantial investments from Amazon and Google, Anthropic aims to make its mark in the AI industry with a focus on long-term safety and ethical considerations.

(5) Joe Atkinson, (6) Mohamed Kande, and (7) Yolanda Seals-Coffield

• Roles: Vice Chairs; PwC U.S. and Chief People Officer

• Company: PwC U.S.

• Why FoW50?: Spearheading a $1 billion initiative in generative AI, Atkinson, Kande, and Seals-Coffield at PwC U.S. are pioneering the integration of AI in the workforce. They lead efforts like ChatPwC and an AI-driven talent marketplace, enhancing employee engagement with new technology and matching skills with projects.

(8) Byron Auguste

• Role: CEO and Cofounder

• Company: Opportunity@Work

• Why FoW50?: Auguste drives the "Tear the Paper Ceiling" campaign, focusing on hiring individuals with non-traditional educational backgrounds, termed "STARs." He has influenced the corporate world towards skills-based hiring, gaining support from numerous organizations to adopt inclusive hiring practices.

(9) Catherine Bracy

• Role: CEO and Cofounder

• Company: TechEquity Collaborative

• Why FoW50?: Bracy is a vocal advocate for contract and gig workers' rights in tech. Her organization, TechEquity Collaborative, educates and influences tech employers on equitable practices while advocating for public policies that promote fair treatment of contract workers.

(10) Richard Branson

• Role: CEO and Founder

• Company: Virgin Group

• Why FoW50?: A pioneer in advocating remote work and diverse hiring practices, Branson has been a long-time proponent of a reduced workweek and hiring formerly incarcerated workers. Through Virgin Unite, he fosters a network of companies dedicated to a humane future of work, emphasizing the value of dyslexic skills in the AI era.

(11) Jacqui Canney

• Role: Chief People Officer

• Company: ServiceNow

• Why FoW50?: At ServiceNow, Canney has implemented innovative HR strategies, like the 'people pact' and a shared learning platform. With a background in leading HR at major companies and co-chairing the World Economic Forum Future of Work Task Force, she actively shapes the future of HR talent.

(12) John Chambers

• Role: CEO and Founder

• Company: JC2 Ventures

• Why FoW50?: Chambers, renowned for shaping Cisco’s people culture, now influences startup ecosystems through JC2 Ventures, fostering nine unicorns. An advisor to global leaders, his most significant impact is revitalizing West Virginia as a burgeoning hub for entrepreneurship and education.

(13) Prithwiraj (Raj) Choudhury

• Role: Associate Professor

• Company: Harvard Business School

• Why FoW50?: Choudhury's pivotal research on "work from anywhere" informs the evolving work landscape. His insights into remote work’s productivity gains and potential alternatives to traditional office spaces have gained widespread recognition, guiding future work patterns.

(14) Annie Dean

• Role: Global Head, Team Anywhere

• Company: Atlassian

• Why FoW50?: Dean, with her rich experience in remote work strategies, leads Atlassian's 'team anywhere' initiative. She advocates for data-driven real estate decisions, focusing on distributed teams' efficiency over physical office policies, backed by substantial internal data.

(15) Fran Drescher

• Role: President

• Company: SAG-AFTRA

• Why FoW50?: As SAG-AFTRA's president, Drescher has evolved from an acclaimed actress to a formidable labor leader. Championing creators’ rights and AI ethics, she also globally advocates for women's health, leveraging her influential position for broader societal impact.

(16) Andy Dunn

• Role: Cofounder

• Company: Bonobos

• Why FoW50?: Dunn, having bravely shared his journey with bipolar disorder, is reshaping mental health discourse in the corporate world. He's actively involved in destigmatizing mental illness, offering insights to HR leaders, and spearheading new mental health-focused initiatives.

(17) Brian Elliott

• Role: Executive Advisor and Cofounder

• Company: Future Forum

• Why FoW50?: Elliott, formerly leading Future Forum, is renowned for his data-driven insights on remote work trends. Now advising companies, he emphasizes a nuanced, evidence-based approach to the evolving work landscape, beyond conventional office paradigms.

(18) Shawn Fain

• Role: President

• Company: United Auto Workers

• Why FoW50?: As UAW’s president, Fain has redefined labor relations, leading a significant campaign of strikes that secured historic gains for auto workers. His direct-election and populist approach signal a new era of empowerment for unionized workers.

(19) Ryan Gellert

• Role: CEO

• Company: Patagonia

• Why FoW50?: Steering Patagonia in its mission-driven journey, Gellert is pivotal in upholding the company’s ethos of progressive business and environmental advocacy.

(20) Rooz Ghaffari

• Role: CEO and Cofounder

• Company: Epicore Biosystems

• Why FoW50?: Ghaffari’s innovative approach at Epicore Biosystems is revolutionizing wearable technology for "industrial athletes" in strenuous work environments. With notable partnerships and a focus on data-driven sweat analysis for hydration monitoring, his contributions are making significant strides in worker safety and health.

(21) Claudia Goldin

• Role: Professor

• Company: Harvard University

• Why FoW50?: A pioneering economist and Nobel laureate, Goldin's extensive research on the gender wage gap and "motherhood penalty" has profoundly impacted our understanding of gender disparities in the labor market. Her work continues to influence contemporary discussions and policies on workplace equality.

(22) Reid Hoffman

• Role: Investor

• Company: Greylock Partners

• Why FoW50?: Hoffman, a leading voice in the tech industry, is shaping the future of work through strategic investments and insights into AI and network power. His contributions as a LinkedIn cofounder and his investment savvy have positioned him as a key influencer in Silicon Valley’s evolving work landscape.

(23) Jensen Huang

• Role: CEO and Cofounder

• Company: Nvidia

• Why FoW50?: Under Huang's leadership, Nvidia has become a titan in the AI industry, with its groundbreaking graphics processing units fueling the AI revolution. Huang's vision and innovative approach have not only advanced Nvidia technologically but also fostered a progressive workplace culture.

(24) Chris Hyams

• Role: CEO

• Company: Indeed

• Why FoW50?: At the helm of Indeed, one of the world's largest job sites, Hyams is on a mission to revolutionize job hunting. His innovative strategies include halving job seekers' time to get hired and promoting pay transparency, making Indeed a pivotal platform in today’s employment landscape.

(25) Arvind Jain

• Role: CEO and Cofounder

• Company: Glean

• Why FoW50?: Jain, a tech visionary, is transforming the way businesses access internal knowledge with Glean. His experience in enhancing Google Search and cofounding Rubrik now fuels Glean's mission to streamline enterprise search, already gaining traction with top companies.

~En Conclusión~

As we wrap up today’s journey through the landscape of innovation and forward-thinking minds, I’ll leave you with the meta comment (that I urge you to read in Morgan Freeman’s voice): the future of work isn't just a distant dream – it's being written now, by the motivated individuals we've just reviewed‼️ Keep their stories in mind as you carve your own path in this ever-evolving world of work 💪🏼

Stay curious, stay inspired, and most importantly, stay tuned part two coming at you on Thursday!

Until next time, keep pushing boundaries and creating Monarch Mayhem 😏🌟

Signing off with excitement about ~THE FUTURE~,

Bailey 💫✨

Main Source: Forbes Top 50 Article

(Other sources all linked to their respective company above)