California has 6 of the nation’s best leaders, study says. Who made the list?
.jpg "Six people from California are on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Leaders list.")
California is home to six of the best leaders in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report.
The publication showcased 25 “extraordinary individuals” working in the fields of business, education, health care and public service “whose work is advancing critical sectors impacting our country and every American.”
They range from entrepreneurs to philanthropists and professional athletes.
“The 2025 honorees represent the very best of leadership today, demonstrating the vital traits and impactful work that define their preeminence in their respective fields,” Eric Gertler, U.S. News’ executive chairman and CEO, said in a Nov. 17 news release.
“We hope that our users will not only gain insight into effective leadership but also find inspiration to drive positive change in their own communities,” Gertler added.
Here’s which California residents made the list:
Who are the best leaders in the Bay Area?
U.S. News’ 2025 Best Leaders list included four luminaries based in the Bay Area.
The publication highlighted Dario Amodei, CEO and co-founder of San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company Anthropic, for his efforts to “make a better world a reality” through technology.
Amodei has been “very outspoken about the need for AI safety,” U.S. News said, pushing for responsible development and transparency.
Josefina Castillo Baltodano, founder and executive director of UC Berkeley’s Executive Leadership Academy, works to help administrators “reach the pinnacle of educational leadership,” the publication said.
Through the academy, more than 620 colleges and university administrators have “learned skills that have helped them advance them to major leadership positions in politics and education,” U.S. News said.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen “Steph” Curry has used his influence off the court to support causes including the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign to fight malaria.
He and his wife, Ayesha, created the foundation Eat. Learn. Play. in Oakland, which supports “children’s wellbeing through access to nutritious meals, quality reading resources and opportunities to play and be active.”
U.S. News also spotlighted Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy in Mountain View.
The free online non-profit educational platform is devoted to empowering learners to “study at their own pace, both in and out of the classroom,” according to its website.
What Southern California leaders rank among the best?
According to U.S. News, two Southern California leaders stand apart from the rest.
Financier and philanthropist Michael Milken has “spent decades finding new ways to make a difference” in the education and health care fields through organizations including the Milken Family Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation in Santa Monica, U.S. News said.
Milken is also the founder the Milken Institute, a nonpartisan think tank headquartered in Southern California.
Allyson Felix, who lives in Los Angeles, is the most decorated track and field athlete in history with 20 World Championship medals and 11 medals at the Olympic Games, according to Olympics.com.
However, it’s Felix’s work with organizations including March of Dimes as an advocate for maternal health that caught U.S. News’ attention.
She’s also the co-founder of Always Alpha, a management firm for female athletes, and Saysh, a women’s athletic shoe company.
How did U.S. News & World Report chose top leaders?
U.S. News & World Report said it selected the top 25 leaders in the nation “with input from a panel of 31 expert judges” based on nominees picked by experts and the general public.
The honorees “were selected based on key leadership traits, including empathy, generosity, and humility,” the publication said.
U.S. News said it partnered with global market research firm The Harris Poll to “conduct a nationally representative survey identifying the leadership characteristics Americans value most.”
The poll results were used to help in the judging process, U.S. News said.
