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U.S. News & World Report Announces Its 2025 Best Leaders

On November 17, 2025, U.S. News & World Report, a prominent authority in ranking and data journalism, unveiled its prestigious list of honorees for the Best Leaders recognition program. This year's selection highlights 25 remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions in business, education, health care, and public service, all shaping key sectors that impact lives across the United States.

The recognition program seeks to celebrate leaders who display critical traits such as empathy, generosity, and humility—qualities that the American public values deeply. To inform their rankings, U.S. News collaborated with The Harris Poll, a leading global market research firm, to conduct an extensive survey reflecting the leadership characteristics most esteemed by Americans. Following this, the public was invited to submit nominations based on personal and professional experiences with leaders they respect and admire.

Eric Gertler, U.S. News' executive chairman and CEO, emphasized the program's mission: "The relaunch of our 'Best Leaders' program underscores the urgent need to highlight individuals who are not just leading but transforming crucial areas of our country. The 2025 honorees represent the very best of leadership today, demonstrating the vital traits and impactful work defining their preeminence in their respective fields." Gertler expressed hope that by showcasing these inspiring leaders, communities nationwide would be motivated to enact positive change.

Business Leaders

Among the 2025 honorees, several notable figures from the business world were recognized:

• - Dario Amodei, Ph.D. - CEO and co-founder of Anthropic.
• - John Hope Bryant - Entrepreneur, founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation Hope.
• - Mark Cuban - Co-founder of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company and renowned entrepreneur, best known for his role on NBC's "Shark Tank."
• - Judy Faulkner - Founder and CEO of Epic Systems.
• - Alison Moore - CEO of Chief.
• - Ron Vachris - President, CEO, and director of Costco Wholesale Corp.

Education Leaders

In the realm of education, the honorees included:

• - Josefina Castillo Baltodano, J.D. - Executive director of the Executive Leadership Academy and senior associate at UC Berkeley.
• - Walter B. Gonsoulin, Jr., Ph.D. - Superintendent of Jefferson County Schools in Birmingham, Alabama.
• - Adam Grant, Ph.D. - Renowned professor of management and psychology at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
• - Christine M. Keller, Ph.D. - Executive director and CEO of the Association for Institutional Research.
• - Sal Khan, M.B.A. - Founder and CEO of Khan Academy.
• - Dolly Parton - Chairperson and board member of The Dollywood Foundation.

Health Care Leaders

The health care sector saw influential leaders such as:

• - Allyson Felix - Entrepreneur and healthcare advocate.
• - Michael J. Fox - Founder and board member of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
• - Peter Jay Hotez, M.D., Ph.D. - Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine.
• - Carl H. June, M.D. - Professor in Immunotherapy at the University of Pennsylvania.
• - Vijay G. Sankaran, M.D., Ph.D. - Leading pediatric hematologist/oncologist at Boston Children's Hospital.
• - Eric Topol, M.D. - Renowned director of Scripps Research Translational Institute.

Public Service Leaders

The honorees in public service include:

• - José Andrés - Renowned chef and founder of World Central Kitchen.
• - Stephen Curry - NBA star and philanthropist leading initiatives through Eat. Learn. Play.
• - Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, MBA - CEO of Mercy Corps.
• - Michael Milken - Philanthropist and founder of FasterCures.
• - John Palfrey, J.D. - President of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
• - Laura J. Richardson - A notable figure in the National Security Advisory Council.
• - MacKenzie Scott - Philanthropist known for her generous giving.

To determine these honorees, a panel of esteemed judges, including former government officials and health leaders, evaluated submissions. The recognition event is slated for November 18 in Washington, D.C., honoring the impactful contributions of each selected leader.

This year's Best Leaders program was made possible by support from the NobleReach Foundation. For further information about the 2025 honorees, visit U.S. News - Best Leaders.

U.S. News & World Report continues to be a crucial source of insights and data that empower individuals and communities in making informed decisions across various sectors, from education to health and finance.