Many leaders create lasting impact through their influence on culture. Frustrated by the breakdown of overheated semitrucks, Forrest Lucas developed an oil additive to solve the problem. He later founded Lucas Oil Products, a staple in the automotive and motorsports industries whose name is emblazoned on the stadium of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. Lucas also cofounded his namesake Forrest Films, which focused on movies with hopeful themes.
Giorgio Armani, founder and chief executive officer of the Armani Group, forged his own path after working for renowned designer Nino Cerruti. Early strategic moves, such as ensuring that his fashions appeared on celebrities and in films, brought awareness and ensured his global iconic status. In 2017, the Los Angeles Times noted that 38 percent of Oscar winners sported Armani designs. Oscar-winning actor and director Robert Redford starred in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and The Way We Were, which defined a generation. His work straddled the line “between what appears and what is.” Redford sought films that carried “cultural weight” and reflected relatable themes, such as grief, corruption, and moral conflict. The Sundance Institute he founded and named after his hit-film character, along with his Sundance Film Festival, gave voice to independent filmmakers and drove cultural impact.
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