One leader. 26 questions. A daily unconventional profile of leaders on the rise.

RISING ICONS

What do you do with a growing network of innovators, journalists, leaders and media professionals? Create opportunity. In 2023, we asked our friends to introduce us to incredible people leading change and their nominations resulted in this series of leadership profiles. Now we celebrate leaders building brands and driving change every day. Nominate an ICON to be featured or meet them below.

Rising ICONS is brought to you in partnership with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #56: Portia Obeng

Portia Obeng is the Social Media Strategist & LinkedIn Coach at Portia Obeng LLC, specializing in enhancing the digital presence of professional women and business owners through strategic social media and personal branding.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #55: Renita Faye

Renita Faye is the Founder and CEO of Addwomxn, a marketing and design firm dedicated to promoting health equity through inclusive campaigns.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #54: Kelsey Joson

Kelsey Joson is the CEO and founder of InControl, a company improving the quality of life for adults with disabilities.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #52: Emily LeVasseur

Emily LeVasseur is the Managing Director of Waypost Advisors LLC, where she champions innovative supply chain solutions for mid-sized manufacturing companies and fosters a supportive environment for women in the industry.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #51: Amir Berenjian

Amir Berenjian, Founder & CEO of REM5 STUDIOS, pioneers immersive technology platforms that redefine interactive storytelling through VR and AR.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #50: Andrew Headrick

Andrew Headrick is the Founder & CEO of Kavira Health, a company revolutionizing the healthcare industry by providing employees with accessible and affordable virtual and in-home care.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #49: Marcus Alipate

Marcus Alipate is the Founder of SMOOVE, a brand that crafts purpose-driven fashion to tell compelling stories and express individual identities.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #48: Juan Llerena

Juan Llerena is the Founder & President of JLLB Media Marketing Agency, which helps entrepreneurs and nonprofits amplify their impact through strategic, personalized marketing solutions.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #47: Jametta Raspberry

Jametta Raspberry, Founder of House of Gristle and Executive Director at Roots for The Home Team, is redefining leadership in the culinary world.

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Shelisa Demuth Shelisa Demuth

Rising ICON #46: Athena M. Adkins

Athena M. Adkins is president and founder of BetterWorld Partners, an anti-racism consulting firm for organizational change and capacity.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #45: Nina Axelson

Nina Axelson is the president and founder of Grid Catalyst, an organization at the forefront of energy and cleantech in Minnesota.

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Shelisa Demuth Shelisa Demuth

Rising ICON #44: Jhaelynn Elam

Jhaelynn Elam is a social innovator solving for Black wealth and connection as the founder of The B Suite and Sizije Trave.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #42: Sue Harnett

Sue Harnett, the trailblazing Founder & CEO of Rewriting the Code, is on a mission to transform the landscape of the technology industry by building the largest global community for college and early-career women in tech.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #41: Dr. Chris Brooks

Dr. Chris Brooks, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of the Brown Venture Group, is a visionary economic theologian who is redefining the global economy to foster the flourishing of all people, particularly those of color.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #40: Jamie Millard

Jamie Millard, renowned for her expertise in building communities and fostering meaningful connections, stands at the forefront of narrative strategy and design systems at Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #39: Billy Mzenga

Billy Mzenga, as the visionary Director of the Institute for Social Innovation at the University of St. Thomas, is reshaping the landscape of entrepreneurship education by focusing on solutions to the world's biggest challenges.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #38: Karl O. Benson

Karl Benson, President of the Zeta Nu Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., is pioneering change and building a brighter future for Black men in the Twin Cities.

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Kadejah Howell Kadejah Howell

Rising ICON #37: Jonathan Banks

Jonathan Banks, President of NCXT, is pioneering a transformative approach in management consulting, focusing on engaging people, driving change, and creating Our Best World®.

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SOMEONE WE SHOULD KNOW?