Continuing on the success of the previous VisionSF programs, The San Francisco Chronicle, Northern California’s largest newspaper, has compiled a committee of well-known Bay Area leaders to nominate six individuals for the fourth annual Visionary of the Year award.

Established by the San Francisco Chronicle, and made possible in part by presenting sponsor PG&E and supporting sponsor AT&T, VisionSF’s Visionary of the Year Award recognizes leaders in the Bay Area who strive to make the world a better place by employing new, innovative business models and practices.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized alongside some of our community’s most impactful leaders. The groundbreaking work of these groups show how the Bay Area’s spirit of innovation can also inspire social change,” said Priscilla Chan, 2017 award recipient. “I hope the work being done by each of these organizations to break down barriers and help more people reach their full potential inspires others to act now and not wait—we can each make a difference.”

The full selection committee consists of:

  • Dr. Emmett D. Carson, president and CEO of Silicon Valley Community Foundation
  • Ron Conway, angel investor & philanthropist
  • John Diaz, editorial page editor of the San Francisco Chronicle
  • Steve Malnight, senior vice president, strategy & policy, PG&E
  • Ken McNeely, president AT&T California
  • Libby Schaaf, mayor of the city of Oakland
  • Charlotte M. Shultz, chief of protocol for the City & County of San Francisco
  • George P. Shultz, former U.S. Secretary of State

San Francisco Chronicle Publisher Jeff Johnson, Editor in Chief Audrey Cooper and Editorial Page Editor John Diaz will select the winner.

From January 14th to March 11th, the San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper and website (SFChronicle.com/VisionSF) will display profiles of the nominees. The 2018 Visionary of the Year will be announced on March 27, 2018 at a private award dinner. There will be a dedicated VisionSF special section, featuring the winner, nominees and award dinner, both in print and online on April 8, 2018.

Past Visionary winners include Chan-Zuckerberg co-founder Priscilla Chan; Watsi cofounder and CEO, Chase Adam; and Education Superhighway CEO and founder, Evan Marwell.

For additional information on the nomination committee, previous winners, or the VisionSF Program, please visit the VisionSF site on SFChronicle.com.

About The San Francisco Chronicle

The San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfchronicle.com) is the largest newspaper in Northern California and the second largest on the West Coast. Acquired by Hearst Corporation in 2000, The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 by Charles and Michael de Young and has been awarded six Pulitzer Prizes for journalistic excellence. With name brand voices and a keen editorial eye, the Chronicle is an authority that still surprises. Follow us on Twitter @SFChronicle.

About Hearst

Hearst (www.hearst.com) is one of the nation's largest diversified media and information companies. Its major interests include ownership of 15 daily and 36 weekly newspapers, including the Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union; hundreds of magazines around the world, including Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, ELLE and O, The Oprah Magazine; 29 television stations, which reach a combined 18 percent of U.S. viewers; ownership in leading cable networks, including Lifetime, A&E, HISTORY and ESPN; significant holdings in automotive, electronic and medical/pharmaceutical business information companies; a 50 percent stake in global ratings agency Fitch Group; internet and marketing services businesses; television production; newspaper features distribution; and real estate.

About Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Pacific Gas and Electric Company is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the United States, serving 16 million Californians across a 70,000-square-mile service area in Northern and Central California. Every day, PG&E safely and reliably delivers affordable and clean energy while building the energy network to meet its customers’ needs well into the future. For more information, visit pge.com.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions around the globe connect with leading entertainment, business, mobile and high speed internet services. We offer the nation’s best data network** and the best global coverage of any U.S. wireless provider. We’re one of the world’s largest providers of pay TV. We have TV customers in the U.S. and 11 Latin American countries. Nearly 3.5 million companies, from small to large businesses around the globe, turn to AT&T for our highly secure smart solutions. Visit www.att.com/california