Innovation is as much a part of the Bay Area as the fog in San Francisco, houseboats in Sausalito or sunshine in Santa Clara.
It is where creative leaders, trendsetters and game changers proliferate — where genius is part of the kaleidoscope of culture. This abundance of brilliance is why The Chronicle has decided to embark on a mission over the next few months to select a particularly radiant light from among the merely luminescent.
A dozen distinguished Bay Area residents have been nominated for The Chronicle’s inaugural Visionary of the Year award saluting leaders who have redefined their professions in ways that improve the community. The collaboration with Saint Mary’s College’s School of Economics and Business Administration will identify and salute leaders who strive to make the world a better place and drive social and economic change by employing new, innovative business models and practices.