I’ve been trying to keep my mouth shut over the last year or so as list after list comes out that just doesn’t make sense. I’ve seen lists of the most ten influential “philanthropists” that may only include one person who is truly focused on philanthropy on a regular basis, for example. This is suspicious. It’s not to say that the people who tend to make lists aren’t great. However, incorporating big names onto every list that comes around becomes more about link or comment bait and less about actually paying tribute to people.
Last week, a list of the 100 top marketing minds online came before my eyes, and while there were a lot of names I didn’t recognize on there, there were also all of the same names you see on every list, including at least one person who has pointedly said they don’t even like marketing. This was the last straw.Instead of just complaining that deserving people aren’t getting enough credit, I’ve decided to do something about it. I’ve compiled my own list of 100 people who do great things who don’t get nearly enough credit. I am proud to know every single one of these people – so much so that I’ve said 3 good things about all of them. I hope you enjoy!
Philanthropy/Cause Work
1. Estrella Rosenberg (@CharityEstrella) – Founder of Big Love Little Hearts, a ray of sunshine, an inspiration
2. Marc Pitman (@marcapitman) – fundraising coach, bow tie wearer, great guy
3. Angela Daffron (@angeladaffron) – founder of Jodi’s Voice, resilient, kind
4. Molly Cantrell-Kraig (@mckra1g) – founder of Women with Drive, social connector, brilliant writer
5. Ifdy Perez (@ifdyperez) – Amazing editor-in-chief, Razoo master mind, wonderful sense of humor
6. John Haydon (@johnhaydon) – author of Facebook for Dummies, Proponent of social media for NPOs, brilliant blogger
7. Joe Waters (@joewaters) – founder of Selfish Giving, Passionate Red Sox fan, smart as a whip
8. Stacey Monk (@staceymonk) – founder of Epic Change, energy burst, another inspiration
9. Mark Horvath (@hardlynormal) – founder of InvisiblePeople.TV, constant supporter of the homeless, amazing man
10. Jennifer Windrum (@wtflungcancer) – founder of WTFLungCancer (Where’s the Funding), brave woman, strong heart
11. Lauren Meling (@RefugeeDayUSA) – Works on the Blue Key Champions initiative, excellent organizer, passionate worker
Great Minds in Marketing and PR
12. Gini Dietrich (@ginidietrich) – Hardest worker I know, always smiling, admirable woman
13. Shelly Kramer (@shellykramer) – Brilliant writer, amazing sense of humor, neverending kindness
14. Karima-Catherine Goundiam (@karimacatherine) – chat leader, good question-asker, not afraid to speak her mind!
15. Dawn Westerberg (@dwesterberg) – B2B Master, warm-hearted, strong marketing sense
16. Jeanette Baer (@myagenda) – #usguys community chief, brilliant marketer, amazing friend
17. Michele Price (@prosperitygal) – #speakchat founder, fiery passion, fast-paced thinking *always*
18. Joseph Ruiz (@smsjoe) – co-leader of #usguyschat, social networker, mobile master
19. Fred McClimans (@fredmcclimans) – one of the smartest people I know, great sense of humor, encourages new thinking
20. Alan Berkson (@berkson0) – founder of the Intelligist Group, constant chat contributor, 360 degree thinker
21. Jason Sokol (@jwsokol) – great story-teller, fitness nut, avid and perceptive reader
22. Sam Fiorella (@samfiorella) – founder of #bizforum, perfectly dry sense of humor, pretty smart dude
23. Jeff Wilson (@jeffthesensei) – founder of Sensei Marketing, warm heart, sharp as a tack
24. Geoff Livingston (@geoffliving) – co-author of Marketing in the Round, master photographer, one of my great mentors
25. Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) – community manager at Sensei Marketing & SeeSaw, infectious personality, great connector
26. Chris Young (@chris_eh_young) – up and coming musician, brilliant man, great speaker
27. Danny Brown (@dannybrown) – speaks his mind, brilliant blogger, VP Partner Strategy at Jugnoo
28. Jayme Soulati (@soulati) – PR Maven, charismatic in the best way possible, brilliant mind
29. Judi Samuels (@chieflemonhead) – wonderful chat contributor, sharp as a tack, warm personality
30. Sherree Worrell (@Sherree_W) – On top of the latest trends, wonderful to talk to, amazing writer
31. Linday Bell (@belllindsay) – Fast wit, strong writer, always hilarious sense of humor
32. Liva Judic (@merrybubbles) – Current project: Overblog. Kind-hearted, multi-lingual genius.
33. Ric Dragon (@ricdragon) – author of Social Marketology, wearer of scarves, one of the kinder people you’ll meet online
34. Laura Click (@lauraclick) – founder of Blue Kite Marketing, marathon master, excellent writer
35. Kaarina Dillabough (@kdillabough) – supportive of everyone she knows, engaging writer, excellent photographer
36. Sean McGinnis (@seanmcginnis) – great speaker, SEO master, does everything and does it well
37. Heidi Cohen (@heidicohen) – Master of actionable marketing, knitter, energetic chat participant
38. Olivier Blanchard (@thebrandbuilder) – author of Social Media ROI, branding weapon, also a multi-lingual genius
39. Jason Konopinski (@jasonkonopinski) – focuses on the creative, fun writer, great storyteller
40. Shonali Burke (@shonali) – Fitness nut, cooking master, founder of #measurepr
41. Michael Brito (@britopian) – SVP of social planning at Edelman, outstanding blogger, brilliant mind
42. Dave Van de Walle (@area224) – founder of Area 224 consulting, the New Frugality blog, and well-versed music lover
43. David Armano (@armano) – EVP at Edelman, co-founder of #allhat, brilliant blogger
44. John Boyle (@brandflair) – Proud Dell employee, proud Texan, smarts with a healthy dose of fun
45. Jean-Paul De Clerck (@conversionation) – founder of #fusionmex & #iscoop, innovative, yet another multi-lingual genius
46. Jillian Jackson (@onejillian) – SEO expert with Dragon Search, funny as all get-out, a great friend
47. Bobby Rettew (@bobbyretew) – storyteller, photographer, videographer
48. Jill Manty (@mantywebdesigns) – co-founder of Manty Web Designs, amazing confidante, smart about all things
49. Aaron Biebert (@biebert) – founder of Attention Era Media, videographer, 8PM Warrior!
50. Tommy Walker (@tommyismyname) – Facebook expert, video master, motivational
51. Brian Vickery (@dbvickery) – tennis champion, writer of smart sports analogies, principal at Mantis
52. Amy Tobin (@amymcctobin) – founder, Ariel Marketing, Milton Hershey School supporter, great sense of humor
53. Ken Mueller (@kmueller62) – Inkling Media, Razoo blogger, supporter of great causes
54. Douglas Rice (@douglaserice) – storyteller, fellow Buckeye, excellent speaker
55. Stacey Hood (@staceyhood) – killer sense of humor, thorn in Sam Fiorella’s side, powerful brain
56. Lisa Alexander (@lisanalexander) – The Marketing Stylist™, powerful pastor, one of my first online friends
57. Arié Moyal (@amoyal) – dark sense of humor, founder of Hug Train, smart, smart dude
58. Susie Parker (@susie_parker) – founder of Sparker Strategy, wonderful social connector, eloquent communicator
59. Amber Naslund (@ambercadabra) – co-founder of Sidera Works, brilliant writer, 2012 TedX speaker
Education Gurus
60. Mark Babbitt (@youternmark) – Founder of YouTern, founder of #internprochat, a man to look up to
61. Ellen Bremen (@chattyprof) – author of Say This Not That to Your Professor, runner, has *great* taste in TV shows
62. Kenna Griffin (@profkrg) – grammar ninja, loves her shoes, so very fun to talk to
63. Chanelle Schneider (@writerchanelle) – founder of #genychat, proponent for young people, powerful writer
People in whom I find inspiration
64. Lisa Petrilli (@lisapetrilli) – Emanates warmth, author of The Introvert’s Guide to Success in Biz & Leadership, dancer
65. Sam Parrotto (@samparrotto) – #usguys leader, spiritual mentor, wise soul
66. Anne Reuss (@annereuss) – engaging personality, brilliant mind, highlighting issues facing the deaf in the job market
67. Steve Woodruff (@swoodruff) – inspirational work in Haiti, leadership expert, sharp mind
68. Danny Garcia (@dannybuntu) – never gives up, one of the hardest workers I know, great father
69. Sumner Musolf (@sumnermusolf) – always a kind word, constant supporter, looks on the bright side
70. Libby Sweiger (@libbytalks) – founder of Living Above the Madness, uses experiences to help others, shining light
71. Angela Maiers (@angelamaiers ) – creator of the #youmatter message, powerful speaker, warm soul
72. Jure Klepic (@jkcallas) – brilliant man, literally seems to know everybody, supportive of all he knows
73. John Feskorn (@johnfeskorn) – #usguys member, looks on the bright side, caring citizen of the online world
74. Dave Reynolds (@thedavereynolds) – Music master, #usguys core member, supporter of the Campbell River Food Bank
75. David McGraw (@davidmcgraw) – #usguys member, positive thinker, great social connector
76. Bill Dorman (@bdorman264) – brilliant writer, great running coach, helps kids stay safe and protected in court cases
77. Claudia Scimeca (@socialmediadds) – inspirational lady, teaches dentists how to use social media, great friend
78. John Falchetto (@johnfalchetto) – life coach, no nonsense advice, supportive of all around him
79. Ameena Falchetto (@ameenafalchetto) – creative designer, excellent writer, mixes marketing and life wisdom
80. Susan Fox (@gagasgarden) – rose wizard, always kind, persevered through a tough injury and a big move
Customer Service Specialists
81. Roy Atkinson (@royatkinson) – master of the one line quip, #custserv greeter, loyal friend
82. Kate Nasser (@katenasser) – Customer service expert, excellent blogger, brilliant woman
83. Tristan Bishop (@knowledgebishop) – motivational mentor, mad rapper, wise man
84. Greg Ortbach (@gregortbach) – fun video-maker, #usguys member, #custserv regular contributor
85. Marsha Collier (@marshacollier) – supportive beyond measure, co-founder of #custserv, prolific author
86. Jeffrey J. Kingman (@jeffreyjkingman) – co-founder of #custserv, culinary nut, smart at everything!
Social Media Smarties
87. Jim Dougherty (@leaderswest) – Engaging community member, funny as heck, excellent, actionable blog posts
88. Tony Bennet (@sociallygenius) – Constant supporter of others, amazing photographer, wicked sense of humor
89. Sarah Arrow (@saraharrow) – savvy business woman, brilliant blogger, engaging communicator
90. Taariq Lewis (@taariqlewis) – engaging #usguys member, brilliant thinker, always ahead of the curve
91. Anne Saulovich (@solete) – original #usguys member, supportive of all around her, on top of every new online development
92. Nick Kellet (@nickkellet) – co-founder of Listly, caring friend, tremendously smart
93. Deep Soni (@xDeepS) – founder of Essence Labs, amazing web designer, excellent social media observer
94. Lisa Gerber (@lisagerber) – chief content officer at SpinSucks, deals with the general public, is always accessible!
95. Allen Mireles (@allenmireles) – fellow Buckeye, gentle soul, succinctly communicates all that she knows
96. Stanford Smith (@pushingsocial) – Master of blogging, newly minted official runner, motivational writer
97. Judy Dunn (@judyleedunn) – Blogging expert, upcoming author, knows how to engage online effectively
98. Raúl Colon (@rj_c) – founder of CIMAPR and #papasheroes, wonderful friend, shining the light on Puerto Rico
99. Tom Webster (webby2001) – VP of strategy at Edison Research, co-founder of The Social Habit, amazing speaker
100. Kat Caverly (@katcaverly) – passionate supporter of copyright laws, actress, fearless online
Now…who did I miss?
1st image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ivanlian/3284988776 via Creative Commons
2nd image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/intersectionconsulting/3542116767/ via Creative Commons
3rd image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaydubyasee/2771719958/ via Creative Commons
4th image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephee/133745413/ via Creative Commons