Fast Company publishes a new list of the Most Creative People in Business each year. The people we've chosen have done something in the last year that no one else in their industry has done before, and it's already having a noticeable and significant impact.

As you can see, we have a different perspective on creativity than our colleagues in business media. To us, creativity isn't limited to traditionally "creative" sectors like entertainment, marketing, or branding. We know that innovation occurs in a variety of settings, including research labs, law offices, political chambers, and even the open seas—which is a wonderful thing. Creativity is what motivates people to solve the world's most pressing issues.

The work of this year's cohort of the 56 Most Creative People in Business exemplifies numerous ways in which creativity may lead to bold and significant change. Here are some of the takeaways for 2022 and beyond.

DO SOMETHING AT ALL.
Allison Heller and Dean Shold took action after becoming concerned about the surge in fentanyl overdoses among recreational drug users. FentCheck, Penalty Kick Online, their organization, is putting drug-test strips where the users are, saving lives. Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana, is establishing a strong academic pipeline to produce more Black doctors and health-care administrators. Not satisfied with the world's obvious vaccine disparities, Baylor College infectious disease researchers Maria Elena Bottazzi and Peter Hotez created the first-ever open-source COVID vaccine, Corbevax, which has already been delivered to tens of millions. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Pavel Vrzheshch repurposed his branding/ad firm employees as "creative fighters," resulting in the far-reaching, Zelensky-endorsed "Be Brave Like Ukraine" campaign.

PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST.
Whitney Pegden expanded the program after noticing that Walmart delivery customers were bonding not only with the service but also with the delivery staff. With the COVID pandemic exposing many societal needs, Norma Edith Garcia-Gonzalez converted LA's county parks into health facilities, shelters, and food pantries, with remarkable success, and emphasized on aiding (and hiring) local youngsters. Heba Kadry, an audio engineer, strengthens the bond between musical performers such as Mdou Moctar and Japanes Breakfast and their fans. Seniors thrive in communities, which is why Evelyn Wolff of Selfhelp Realty Group created The Atrium at Sumner. As climate change increases the frequency and severity of hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, Resilience Force founder Saket Soni is advocating for disaster recovery workers and winning improved employment terms.