If there is anything the coronavirus pandemic has taught us, it’s the need for smart, competent, and honest leaders.

COVID-19 has changed the way nearly everything operates — whether it’s a private-sector business, college, hospital, or even the government.

Organizations have had to rely on strong leaders who can guide them through that ever-changing landscape.

This special section of Hartford Business Journal aims to highlight private- and public-sector, nonprofit, higher education, and healthcare leaders in Greater Hartford whose power and influence not only change the organizations they work for but the broader community.

Power comes in a variety of forms. You can be a CEO, government leader, college president, run a nonprofit, regulate an industry or be an important cog in a highly visible project, issue or trend.

HBJ’s second annual Power 50 class was chosen and ranked by our news team. In each profile, we explain who the individuals are and why they were chosen for the list.

The rankings include a mix of established players as well as some fresh faces to our region. We tried to emphasize diversity in people and industries.

It’s important to highlight these leaders not as a vanity project but as a way to bring Greater Hartford’s business community together — especially at a time when many of us remain apart.

Our Power Players issue has quickly become a popular must-see section, so if you have ideas for who should be on next year’s list please let us know.

Read the Power 50 Profiles Here