The Empathic Edge: U.S. News Unveils Leaders for a New Era of Innovation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 17, 2025

U.S. News & World Report, a long-standing authority in data journalism and rankings, has announced the much-anticipated relaunch of its 'Best Leaders' recognition program. The 2025 edition spotlights 25 extraordinary individuals across business, education, health care, and public service, signaling a profound shift in how leadership is perceived and celebrated. This revamped program moves beyond traditional metrics of power and profit, instead championing qualities like empathy, generosity, and humility as the bedrock of effective leadership in an increasingly complex and disruptive global landscape.

The Evolving Blueprint of Leadership

The decision to relaunch the 'Best Leaders' program comes at a critical juncture, reflecting a broader societal yearning for authentic and impactful leadership. A nationally representative survey conducted by The Harris Poll in April 2025, involving 1,500 U.S. adults, laid bare a significant public disillusionment: a staggering 77% of respondents reported not seeing public leaders they admired or wished to emulate. Moreover, a majority (82%) felt that business leaders' values often diverged from those of everyday Americans. Against this backdrop, the survey unequivocally identified trustworthiness, honesty, and ethical behavior as the most important leadership traits across all sectors.

This data underpinned the U.S. News selection criteria, which deliberately emphasized empathy, generosity, and humility. As Eric Gertler, U.S. News' executive chairman and CEO, stated, "The 2025 honorees represent the very best of leadership today, demonstrating the vital traits and impactful work that define their preeminence in their respective fields." This focus suggests a recognition that in an era defined by rapid technological advancements and societal challenges, leaders who can connect, understand, and serve with genuine care are the ones truly driving meaningful change and sustainable innovation. For industries grappling with market disruption, this human-centered approach to leadership is proving to be a critical competitive advantage, fostering resilient teams and customer loyalty.

Disruptors and Visionaries: A New Guard

The 2025 'Best Leaders' list features a compelling mix of individuals who are not only at the helm of significant organizations but are actively redefining their industries through innovative approaches and a commitment to broader societal impact. In the business sector, luminaries like Dario Amodei, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of AI safety and research firm Anthropic, exemplify leadership at the cutting edge of technology. Amodei's work in responsible AI development underscores a leadership style that balances groundbreaking innovation with ethical considerations, a hallmark of the new criteria.

Judy Faulkner, founder and CEO of Epic Systems, continues to drive disruption in healthcare technology, her long-standing vision shaping how medical data is managed and utilized. Meanwhile, Mark Cuban, known for his ventures in technology and media, and his impactful Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, showcases a blend of entrepreneurial acumen and a commitment to market disruption aimed at consumer benefit. Alison Moore, CEO of Chief, a network focused on empowering women leaders, highlights the importance of community and support in fostering new leadership paradigms. These individuals, and others like Ron Vachris of Costco, embody leadership that extends beyond quarterly reports, influencing market dynamics and consumer experiences through their values and strategic foresight.

Strategic Alliances: Philanthropy's Role in Shaping Recognition

The 2025 'Best Leaders' program received generous support from the NobleReach Foundation, a non-profit established in 2022 with a clear mission: to inspire, develop, and support mission-driven entrepreneurship. NobleReach focuses on addressing national challenges by connecting talent from industry, academia, and government, particularly in technology and public service. Their involvement adds a significant layer of context to the U.S. News selection, aligning the recognition program with a broader agenda of fostering leaders who can tackle complex societal issues through innovation.

With reported revenues exceeding $63 million in 2023, NobleReach Foundation is a substantial player in the philanthropic space, actively involved in academic partnerships and innovation initiatives with entities like DARPA and NSF. While the financial sponsorship of such a program naturally invites scrutiny regarding potential influence on selection criteria, the U.S. News program's blend of public nominations, Harris Poll data, and an independent expert judging panel aims to ensure a balanced and credible selection process. This partnership underscores a growing trend where philanthropic organizations actively shape public discourse around leadership, often channeling focus towards areas aligned with their core missions, such as technological advancement and public good.

Beyond the Traditional Metrics: A Differentiating Approach

In a crowded landscape of leadership awards and rankings, the U.S. News 'Best Leaders' program distinguishes itself through its unique methodology and explicit focus on character-driven traits. Unlike lists that primarily celebrate influence (like TIME 100) or financial success (often seen in business-specific awards), U.S. News has rooted its criteria in public sentiment, prioritizing qualities that foster trust and genuine connection. This approach positions the program not just as a recognition of achievement, but as a reflection of societal values and aspirations for leadership.

By emphasizing empathy and humility, U.S. News offers a counter-narrative to the often-heroic, top-down portrayals of leaders. This shift is particularly relevant for the