Attention business leaders and innovative thinkers! The shortlist for the Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award has just been announced. This award is all about celebrating those game-changing ideas in management—the ones that have the potential to completely disrupt the way we think about business. 

The final winner of the award will be announced at the Thinkers50 Awards Gala in November, along with recipients of other distinguished awards and the new ranking. 

Interested in hearing more from these thought leaders? Invite one to speak at your next meeting and inspire your audience to think outside the box!

Thinkers50 Breakthrough Idea Award Shortlist 

1) Eduardo Briceño for The Performance Paradox

Eduardo is a top growth mindset keynote speaker and regularly facilitates workshops for professionals and executives. His TED talks on growth mindset and improvement have been viewed over nine million times. He is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow, a member of the Aspen Institute’s Global Leadership Network, and an inductee in the Happiness Hall of Fame. He is the author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action.

2) April Rinne for The Flux Mindset 

April Rinne is a change navigator: she helps individuals and organizations rethink and reshape their relationships with change, uncertainty, and a world in flux. She’s a trusted advisor, speaker, investor, lawyer, global development executive, adventurer (100+ countries) and insatiable handstander. She is ranked one of the 50 leading female futurists in the word and is a Harvard Law School graduate, a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum, a member of the Silicon Guild and Thinkers50 Radar, and author of the international bestseller Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change.

3) Karen Dillon and Rob Cross for The Microstress Effect

Rob Cross has studied the underlying network dynamics of effective organizations and the collaborative practices of high performers for more than 20 years. Through research and writing, speaking and consulting, and courses and tools, Rob’s network insights are transforming the way people lead, work and live in a hyper-connected world. He is the Edward A. Madden Professor of Global Leadership, Babson College and co-founder and current research director of the Connected Commons, a consortium of over 100 leading organizations accelerating network research and practice.

Karen Dillon is the former editor of Harvard Business Review magazine and co-author of 3 books with Clayton Christensen, including New York Times best-seller “How Will You Measure Your Life?” She’s also co-author of The Microstress Effect: How Little Things Pile Up and Create Big Problem — and What to Do About It.Named one of the world’s most influential women as part of Ashoka’s ChangemakeHers inaugural list, she is currently the Editorial Director of BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors.

4) Brian Evergreen for Autonomous Transformation

Brian Evergreen is a tech visionary whose insights are sought after by the companies that are changing the world as they explore new ways to transform their own organizations. He is best known for advising Fortune 500 companies on emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, and the ways in which these powerful tools and resources can be uniquely integrated into their business’ infrastructure, culture, and strategy. Previously, Evergreen served as the Global Head of Autonomous AI Co-Innovation at Microsoft Research. He held similar tech, AI, and engineering head of/lead roles at other top companies, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Accenture. He builds upon these experiences to introduce new ways to push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI in all aspects of how we work and live.

5) William D. Eggers and Donald F. Kettle for Bridgebuilders

William Eggers is the Executive Director of Deloitte’s Center for Government Insights where he is responsible for the firm’s public sector thought leadership. His latest book is Delivering on Digital: The Innovators and Technologies that are Transforming Government (Deloitte University Press, 2016). 

Donald Kettl specializes in public management and public policy. He previously served as dean in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, and is a nonresident senior fellow at the Volcker Alliance, the Brookings Institution and the Partnership for Public Service.

6) Martin Lindstrom for Engineering Our Dreams

Renowned branding expert Martin Lindstrom is leading an unprecedented study called Engineering Our Dreams. With a budget of $22 million, this project involves over 1,000 volunteers immersing themselves in the metaverse for six months. The goal? To gain insights into human behavior, the impact of businesses and brands, work environments, and ethical standards in virtual worlds. The findings will shape the future of life in the metaverse, particularly how brands and their influence on consumers will be transformed by VR and AI. Lindstrom, an accomplished author, has also founded successful companies like Yellowpages.com and Hitwise.

7) Tina Opie and Beth A. Livingston for Shared Sisterhood

Dr. Tina Opie is catalyzing organizational change through authentic, personal connections. Her unique approach and expertise provides strategic direction on how to effectively lead change management creating a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. She tackles tough subjects with high-energy, warmth, and humor. Her expertise is highly sought-out by top executives and Fortune 500 companies.

Beth A. Livingston is an Associate professor of Management and Entrepreneurship. Her research focuses on gender differences, diversity, and important topics in human resources. Beth teaches a range of HR courses for undergraduates, master’s students, and doctoral students.

8) Wendy K. Smith and Marianne W. Lewis for Both/And Thinking 

Wendy K. Smith is the Dana J. Johnson professor of management and faculty director of the Women’s Leadership Initiative at the Lerner College of Business and Economics, University of Delaware.

Marianne W. Lewis is dean and professor of management at the Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati. She previously served as dean of Cass Business School at City, University of London, and as a Fulbright scholar.

Want to invite one of these brilliant thinkers to your upcoming event, conference or meeting? Contact BigSpeak Speakers Bureau today. Please email info@bigspeak.com to inquire.