Introducing Fast Company’s Queer Changemakers

For the past five years, Fast Company published an annual list of 50 LGBTQ+ people who were shaping the worlds of business, tech, politics, and culture. As the list evolves—and given the continued attacks on queer and trans people—we’ve decided to change the format this year, looking more deeply into the contributions of eight notably impactful individuals. The leaders we chose to profile for 2025 are at the forefront of their fields. Chase Strangio is the first openly transgender person to argue in front of the Supreme Court. He spoke with nonbinary Olympian Nikki Hiltz about their work, and what it’s like to be so visible during this moment. You’ll also read about Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia and current partner at ReGen Ventures, who calls on other business leaders to double down on their values during a time when many executives are growing quiet, and Audrey Tang, who is working to spread pro-democracy ideas to combat negative sentiments on social media. Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz and ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio on trans equality in the Trump era As anti-trans legislation and rhetoric continue to escalate across the U.S.—from sweeping state-level bans on gender-affirming care to renewed efforts to bar trans people from public life—trans nonbinary elite runner Nikki Hiltz and ACLU’s LGBTQ+ rights lawyer Chase Strangio find themselves at the intersection of justice and representation. Read more. Rose Marcario is doubling down on her values When she was CEO of Patagonia, Rose Marcario stood out as one of the most outspoken voices in business against President Donald Trump during his first term. Under her leadership, Patagonia even sued the Trump administration after he issued a proclamation to shrink public land in two national monuments. Now, in the midst of Trump’s second term, Marcario is no longer at the helm of the progressive outdoor apparel company, but she’s still taking a stand. Read more. Audrey Tang wants to save democracy with ‘pro-social’ media A senior fellow at the safer tech nonprofit Project Liberty Institute, Tang builds tools that she can leave behind to “empower the next generation with a wider canvas.” Concerned about social media algorithms that favor rageful engagement over unity, and having done ample work to maintain democracy in Taiwan, she’s spreading her pro-democracy ideas globally—even as a self-professed anarchist. Read more. How Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel is shaping the legal resistance to Trump Nessel has emerged as a formidable figure in the legal resistance to the Trump administration. “In no way, shape, or form does this resemble a normal presidency,” Nessel says of Trump’s return to the White House. Read more. These leaders are working to ensure LGBTQ+ history—and futures—remain visible Fast Company asked leaders at three New York City-based LGBTQ+ community spaces—the Lesbian Herstory Archives, the American LGBTQ+ Museum, and the NYC LGBT Community Center—to learn more about how these groups are responding to a challenging political moment through legal action, grassroots fundraising, and making the histories of queer people more visible. Read more. Writers: Chris Azzopardi, Rebecca Barker, Jessica Klein, Pavithra Mohan, and Kristin ToussaintEditors: Kathleen Davis and Julia HerbstDesign: Alice Alves, Heda Hokschirr, Anne Latini, Cayleigh ParrishPhoto: Sandra Riaño and Maja Saphir

Jun 17, 2025 - 12:30

Introducing Fast Company’s Queer Changemakers

For the past five years, Fast Company published an annual list of 50 LGBTQ+ people who were shaping the worlds of business, tech, politics, and culture. As the list evolves—and given the continued attacks on queer and trans people—we’ve decided to change the format this year, looking more deeply into the contributions of eight notably impactful individuals.

The leaders we chose to profile for 2025 are at the forefront of their fields. Chase Strangio is the first openly transgender person to argue in front of the Supreme Court. He spoke with nonbinary Olympian Nikki Hiltz about their work, and what it’s like to be so visible during this moment.

You’ll also read about Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia and current partner at ReGen Ventures, who calls on other business leaders to double down on their values during a time when many executives are growing quiet, and Audrey Tang, who is working to spread pro-democracy ideas to combat negative sentiments on social media.

Olympic runner Nikki Hiltz and ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio on trans equality in the Trump era

As anti-trans legislation and rhetoric continue to escalate across the U.S.—from sweeping state-level bans on gender-affirming care to renewed efforts to bar trans people from public life—trans nonbinary elite runner Nikki Hiltz and ACLU’s LGBTQ+ rights lawyer Chase Strangio find themselves at the intersection of justice and representation. Read more.

Rose Marcario is doubling down on her values

When she was CEO of Patagonia, Rose Marcario stood out as one of the most outspoken voices in business against President Donald Trump during his first term. Under her leadership, Patagonia even sued the Trump administration after he issued a proclamation to shrink public land in two national monuments.

Now, in the midst of Trump’s second term, Marcario is no longer at the helm of the progressive outdoor apparel company, but she’s still taking a stand. Read more.

Audrey Tang wants to save democracy with ‘pro-social’ media

A senior fellow at the safer tech nonprofit Project Liberty Institute, Tang builds tools that she can leave behind to “empower the next generation with a wider canvas.” Concerned about social media algorithms that favor rageful engagement over unity, and having done ample work to maintain democracy in Taiwan, she’s spreading her pro-democracy ideas globally—even as a self-professed anarchist. Read more.

How Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel is shaping the legal resistance to Trump

Nessel has emerged as a formidable figure in the legal resistance to the Trump administration. “In no way, shape, or form does this resemble a normal presidency,” Nessel says of Trump’s return to the White House. Read more.

These leaders are working to ensure LGBTQ+ history—and futures—remain visible

Fast Company asked leaders at three New York City-based LGBTQ+ community spaces—the Lesbian Herstory Archives, the American LGBTQ+ Museum, and the NYC LGBT Community Center—to learn more about how these groups are responding to a challenging political moment through legal action, grassroots fundraising, and making the histories of queer people more visible. Read more.

Writers: Chris Azzopardi, Rebecca Barker, Jessica Klein, Pavithra Mohan, and Kristin Toussaint
Editors: Kathleen Davis and Julia Herbst
Design: Alice Alves, Heda Hokschirr, Anne Latini, Cayleigh Parrish
Photo: Sandra Riaño and Maja Saphir