Leadership is ultimately about people. It’s the visionaries who push industries forward, the innovators who solve problems once thought impossible and the executives who dedicate themselves to building organizations that last.

That spirit of leadership was on full display at The CEO Magazine’s 2025 Executive of the Year Awards – United States, where finalists across the country were recognized for their extraordinary achievements.

“When we launched The CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year Awards in the United States, our vision was to shine a spotlight on the leaders driving real change – not just in their businesses, but across society,” says The CEO Magazine’s Founder Chris Dutton.

“This year’s honorees exemplify that mission in every sense. From healthcare to clean energy, their impact is both far-reaching and deeply personal. We’re proud to celebrate such an exceptional group of executives who are shaping a better future through bold, values-driven leadership.”

The honorees of the 2025 Executive of the Year Awards – United States are shaping the nation’s future. Here we unveil the winners.

The CEO of the Year award is the most prestigious accolade in The CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year Awards – United States, recognizing an executive who demonstrates extraordinary leadership, drives business growth and delivers meaningful impact. This year, Derek Maetzold has been recognized for transforming cancer diagnostics, personalizing patient care and scaling Castle Biosciences to deliver proven success.

Pedro Azagra is powering America’s energy transition, overseeing large-scale projects that are reshaping the nation’s energy landscape.

Imamu Tomlinson combines executive leadership with frontline care, transforming emergency medicine and championing equity across hundreds of hospitals.

Recognized for his decades of leadership, Verne Harnish has spent a lifetime helping companies scale. From founding the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) to building Scaling Up into a global executive education powerhouse, Harnish’s impact on CEOs worldwide is unparalleled.

Ole Rosgaard has successfully led Greif to new heights in the industrial packaging industry, driving innovation, operational excellence and a strong focus on customer value. With his guidance, the company has fostered a people-first culture that emphasizes sustainability, growth and long-term impact.

Thank you to our headline sponsor: WINTRUST – supporting leadership excellence across industries.