The pain, uncertainty and immense amount of loss thus far wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic has, in many cases, resulted in a call to action.

The efforts of this year’s class of 40 Under 40 represent the many ways people came together, found new opportunities to make a difference and unearthed creativity they may not have otherwise.

Leighann Bacher started a Facebook group that resulted in thousands getting access to vaccines; Kacy McGill and Taylor Stessney started a Facebook group for restaurant workers aid that’s now a certified nonprofit. Carlos Carmona left his corporate job to become the disaster program manager at the American Red Cross.

Then there were members of this year’s class whose work, by definition, already focused on helping the most vulnerable: doctors such as Maya Ragavan or food rescuers like Mel Cronin; for them, the pandemic brought new challenges to their chosen industries.

But no matter if the pandemic directly or indirectly influenced them, they all have one thing in common: a work ethic that has only become stronger in the face of adversity.

This is the 2021 Class of 40 Under 40.