45. Nancy Engelhardt

Nothing inspires collaboration more than a crisis. Nowhere was this statement more validated than during Superstorm Sandy. Yet, sometimes it’s easier to respond to a singular event like Sandy than to address massive, slow-moving crises like racism, poverty, and a deteriorating environment. It’s why her work is so important. Engelhardt—along with Edward Thompson and Paul Tonna—founded the Energeia Partnership at Molloy College, a regional stewardship program that has graduated more than 250 leaders on Long Island. Many of her graduates have appeared on this list over the years and all are deeply committed to building a brighter future on LI for future generations.