Business

For more than 150 years, the Atlantic has told the stories of people who commit acts of moral and intellectual bravery by espousing unpopular or controversial positions. In a special issue of the magazine, the editors have chosen 27 leaders - from business and politics to science and media - who embody this great tradition today. These are people who are risking careers, reputations, and fortunes to advance ideas that upend an established order.

See Atlantic editors discussing the concept of the Brave Thinkers package, and watch videos featuring four of our most fascinating honorees.

Business

We all see acts of moral and intellectual courage in our everyday lives. Take a minute to tell us about someone in your world who is taking a risk to make a difference.

John Todd

Inventor and eco-pioneer John Todd has been turning waste-water sites into botanical paradises since 1989. His design and construction of ecological wastewater treatment systems--or "eco-machines," as he calls them--have powerfully transformed public and commercial spaces in 11 countries on five continents, removing chemicals, petroleum hydrocarbons, endocrine disruptors and other detrimental water pollutants. He is a model of commitment to remediating impaired natural water bodies and soils around the world. A true design hero and brave planetary thinker.
--Nominated by Jennifer Leonard
Tim LaSalle

Tim LaSalle tirelessly travels the world championing a science-based hope for a regenerative food system that will mitigate climate change and prevent famine. His global experiences inform his urgent quest to stop climate change and conserve global water resources. His leadership in developing the science of storing carbon in agricultural soils has been acknowledged by leaders including philanthropist farmer Howard Buffet, Al Gore and National Wildlife Federation CEO Larry Schweiger. LaSalle combines scientific expertise with a brilliant ability to communicate and imagine a radically better future.
--Nominated by Eliav Bitan
Bill Drayton

Bill Drayton, a man that Bill Clinton has argued should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, has revolutionized what it means to be a social entrepreneur. This man, before anybody else, saw the potential for strong-willed individuals--social entrepreneurs--to change the world, and before anybody else, took action to exponentially magnify the impact that these individuals could have on the world. This man is not only an extremely brave thinker, but has also proved himself to be an extremely brave man of action.
--Nominated by Kentaro Watari
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