The Palm Beach 100 EDITOR’S LETTER
Under the Influenc
T
CAPEHART
rue influence can’t be achieved through intimidation or coercion. It’s not the kind of thing that comes with title, clout, or a corner office, but rather from a person’s ability to inspire and motivate those around them. If ever there was a time to look to our local influencers for guidance, it is now. The pandemic has presented each one of us—from CEOs to school children—with challenges. Yet thanks to Palm Beach County’s wealth of local folks who are working together to influence things for the better, our area is bustling. Turn to page 12 for our story on how tourism—a veritable backbone of South Florida’s economy—has reemerged in the wake of COVID-19induced travel restrictions (and learn about some of the ways that it has been forever changed). Real estate in our palm-studded paradise boomed during last year’s lockdown. On page 14, we explore what’s next for the local housing market. And for those looking to expand their post-pandemic portfolios, we’ve got a primer in SPACs (special purpose acquisition companies)—a little-known avenue for investors who want to raise capital to acquire existing private companies and take them public—on page 16. Selecting Palm Beach County’s most influentia and inspiring people to include in our third annual issue of The Palm Beach 100 was no simple exercise. As always, we started with obvious superlatives, such as leaders of the area’s largest companies, managing partners of big firms, presidents of professional organizations, and heads of top nonprofits, educational institutions, civic organizations, and arts groups. But we also looked for executives serving on charitable boards, do-gooders spearheading programs for their communities, and local residents creating opportunities for other Palm Beachers. We sought nominations (and received a record number of submissions) from the public to identify unsung local influencers. And then our editorial team met to narrow the list.
Along the way, we found that casting a wider net and stepping beyond traditional definitions of what makes someone influential seeds a much more fascinating group of honorees. Perhaps it depends on how you define influence—wh ther it derives from position or perseverance. Some of our new honorees haven’t landed a spot in the C-suite, but I’ll bet they’re on their way there. This year, we’re proud to present you with a mix of new and returning leaders on page 18. Together, they make the Palm Beaches the world’s most unique place to live, work, and play. Peruse their profiles, and you’ll get a glimpse into who they are, what they do in our community, and what makes them tick. (And if you or your favorite candidate didn’t make the list this year, just look for our Palm Beach 100 call for nominations in summer of 2022.)
Kristen Desmond LeFevre klefevre@palmbeachmedia.com
The Palm Beach 100
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