41. Andrew Stepanian

The goal is simple: help those whose words too often go unheard pump up their volume loud enough so that when they do speak truth to power, their voices become a mighty roar that can’t be ignored. Since his days as co-founder of the Sparrow Media Project, a grassroots publicity and creative direction agency with a “subversive” touch, visionary activist Andrew Stepanian has been deeply involved in making a difference. He’s confronted the power elite without flinching, whether facing off against the Koch Brothers, Wall Street or the NSA. Stepanian has raised awareness on important issues that otherwise would have gotten short shrift in the mainstream media, from supporting whistleblower Edward Snowden to promoting The Intercept, the new digital publication founded by Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras and Jeremy Scahill. He’s now at FitzGibbon Media, where the clients and causes they believe in range from the Julian Assange Defense Fund to the Ford Foundation and MoveOn.org. He hones their communications strategy so they can break through the noise, get their message out there and make an impact across the country and around the world. Through all the ups and downs that come with battling the status quo, Stepanian has remained strong and steadfast—while he stays focused on the ideals that matter most in the constant struggle to bring about a better day.