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The Recode 100

The people in tech, business and media who mattered in 2017.

Jeff Bezos won 2017 — and set Amazon up to dominate the next decadeJeff Bezos won 2017 — and set Amazon up to dominate the next decade
The Recode 100

Bezos is No. 1 on the Recode 100.

By Jason Del Rey
With just her words, Susan Fowler brought Uber to its kneesWith just her words, Susan Fowler brought Uber to its knees
The Recode 100

Fowler is No. 2 on the Recode 100.

By Johana Bhuiyan
We’re living in a post-Weinstein era thanks to Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey and Ronan FarrowWe’re living in a post-Weinstein era thanks to Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey and Ronan Farrow
The Recode 100

Kantor, Twohey and Farrow are No. 3 on the Recode 100.

By Edmund Lee
Jeff Bezos won 2017 — and set Amazon up to dominate the next decade
The Recode 100

Bezos is No. 1 on the Recode 100.

By Jason Del Rey
With just her words, Susan Fowler brought Uber to its knees
The Recode 100

Fowler is No. 2 on the Recode 100.

By Johana Bhuiyan
We’re living in a post-Weinstein era thanks to Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey and Ronan Farrow
The Recode 100

Kantor, Twohey and Farrow are No. 3 on the Recode 100.

By Edmund Lee

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

1-10

Jeff Bezos won 2017 — and set Amazon up to dominate the next decade
With just her words, Susan Fowler brought Uber to its knees
We’re living in a post-Weinstein era thanks to Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey and Ronan Farrow
Mark Zuckerberg is changing the way we get our news — and making a boatload of money while doing it
Tim Cook is officially underrated
SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son is about to make either himself or you look like a fool
Sundar Pichai is keeping Google’s real business cranking while it figures out the ‘AI-first’ future
The cult of Elon Musk lives on
Stitch Fix’s Katrina Lake proved innovation in retail is still possible in an Amazon world
No one quite polices — and penalizes — tech giants like Europe’s watchdog Margrethe Vestager
Jeff Bezos won 2017 — and set Amazon up to dominate the next decadeJeff Bezos won 2017 — and set Amazon up to dominate the next decade
With just her words, Susan Fowler brought Uber to its kneesWith just her words, Susan Fowler brought Uber to its knees
We’re living in a post-Weinstein era thanks to Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey and Ronan FarrowWe’re living in a post-Weinstein era thanks to Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey and Ronan Farrow
Mark Zuckerberg is changing the way we get our news — and making a boatload of money while doing itMark Zuckerberg is changing the way we get our news — and making a boatload of money while doing it
Tim Cook is officially underratedTim Cook is officially underrated
SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son is about to make either himself or you look like a foolSoftBank’s Masayoshi Son is about to make either himself or you look like a fool
Sundar Pichai is keeping Google’s real business cranking while it figures out the ‘AI-first’ futureSundar Pichai is keeping Google’s real business cranking while it figures out the ‘AI-first’ future
The cult of Elon Musk lives onThe cult of Elon Musk lives on
Stitch Fix’s Katrina Lake proved innovation in retail is still possible in an Amazon worldStitch Fix’s Katrina Lake proved innovation in retail is still possible in an Amazon world
No one quite polices — and penalizes — tech giants like Europe’s watchdog Margrethe VestagerNo one quite polices — and penalizes — tech giants like Europe’s watchdog Margrethe Vestager

11-20

Satya Nadella is giving Microsoft a much needed reboot
Reed Hastings built one of the most important companies on the internet, and Hollywood is scrambling to catch up
Kevin Systrom and Marne Levine have turned Instagram into Facebook’s greatest weapon
Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Mark Warner aren’t done demanding answers from tech on Russia’s election meddling
Amazon’s Toni Reid and Rohit Prasad have made Alexa a household name
Patty Jenkins’s ‘Wonder Woman’ gave superheroes a whole new look, and a whole new audience
Spotify’s Daniel Ek brought music streaming to the masses
Ma Huateng’s WeChat is China’s one true operating system
Marc Lore has transformed Walmart into a worthy Amazon challenger
Colin Kaepernick almost brought the NFL to its knees, but he’s still out of a job
Satya Nadella is giving Microsoft a much needed rebootSatya Nadella is giving Microsoft a much needed reboot
Reed Hastings built one of the most important companies on the internet, and Hollywood is scrambling to catch upReed Hastings built one of the most important companies on the internet, and Hollywood is scrambling to catch up
Kevin Systrom and Marne Levine have turned Instagram into Facebook’s greatest weaponKevin Systrom and Marne Levine have turned Instagram into Facebook’s greatest weapon
Rep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Mark Warner aren’t done demanding answers from tech on Russia’s election meddlingRep. Adam Schiff and Sen. Mark Warner aren’t done demanding answers from tech on Russia’s election meddling
Amazon’s Toni Reid and Rohit Prasad have made Alexa a household nameAmazon’s Toni Reid and Rohit Prasad have made Alexa a household name
Patty Jenkins’s ‘Wonder Woman’ gave superheroes a whole new look, and a whole new audiencePatty Jenkins’s ‘Wonder Woman’ gave superheroes a whole new look, and a whole new audience
Spotify’s Daniel Ek brought music streaming to the massesSpotify’s Daniel Ek brought music streaming to the masses
Ma Huateng’s WeChat is China’s one true operating systemMa Huateng’s WeChat is China’s one true operating system
Marc Lore has transformed Walmart into a worthy Amazon challengerMarc Lore has transformed Walmart into a worthy Amazon challenger
Colin Kaepernick almost brought the NFL to its knees, but he’s still out of a jobColin Kaepernick almost brought the NFL to its knees, but he’s still out of a job

21-30

David Benioff and Dan Weiss made ‘Game of Thrones’ the last Really Big Show on TV
Square’s Sarah Friar has made Wall Street a believer
Maggie Haberman has done some of the best reporting on Trump. He (probably) keeps her on speed dial.
Laurene Powell Jobs is using her fortune to make a difference in policy, philanthropy and media
PayPal CEO Dan Schulman is making friends out of enemies
Aziz Ansari wins TV on the internet
Brian Chesky is building Airbnb into an enduring travel brand
Jean Liu is leading one of the world’s most powerful transportation companies
Jensen Huang’s Nvidia is the AI chip company to watch
Wang Xing might bring his $30 billion food services app to the U.S.
David Benioff and Dan Weiss made ‘Game of Thrones’ the last Really Big Show on TVDavid Benioff and Dan Weiss made ‘Game of Thrones’ the last Really Big Show on TV
Square’s Sarah Friar has made Wall Street a believerSquare’s Sarah Friar has made Wall Street a believer
Maggie Haberman has done some of the best reporting on Trump. He (probably) keeps her on speed dial.Maggie Haberman has done some of the best reporting on Trump. He (probably) keeps her on speed dial.
Laurene Powell Jobs is using her fortune to make a difference in policy, philanthropy and mediaLaurene Powell Jobs is using her fortune to make a difference in policy, philanthropy and media
PayPal CEO Dan Schulman is making friends out of enemiesPayPal CEO Dan Schulman is making friends out of enemies
Aziz Ansari wins TV on the internetAziz Ansari wins TV on the internet
Brian Chesky is building Airbnb into an enduring travel brandBrian Chesky is building Airbnb into an enduring travel brand
Jean Liu is leading one of the world’s most powerful transportation companiesJean Liu is leading one of the world’s most powerful transportation companies
Jensen Huang’s Nvidia is the AI chip company to watchJensen Huang’s Nvidia is the AI chip company to watch
Wang Xing might bring his $30 billion food services app to the U.S.Wang Xing might bring his $30 billion food services app to the U.S.

31-40

Gwynne Shotwell is leading SpaceX’s efforts to become the future of commercial space travel
Glossier’s Emily Weiss built a budding beauty brand with the internet’s help
Ryan Cohen kept Chewy under the radar until it sold for more than $3 billion
Laura Weidman Powers is closing the employment gap for minorities in tech by the year 2040
Issa Rae’s transition from bootstrapped web series to HBO
Slack is changing how people work — and it isn’t slowing down
With the help of Raj Kapoor, Lyft is firing on all cylinders
Cardi B — the rapping sensation who used the internet to build fame on her own terms
Joey Zwillinger turned a pair of shoes into a Silicon Valley touchstone
Kylie Jenner’s makeup company used social media to generate $420 million in sales
Gwynne Shotwell is leading SpaceX’s efforts to become the future of commercial space travelGwynne Shotwell is leading SpaceX’s efforts to become the future of commercial space travel
Glossier’s Emily Weiss built a budding beauty brand with the internet’s helpGlossier’s Emily Weiss built a budding beauty brand with the internet’s help
Ryan Cohen kept Chewy under the radar until it sold for more than $3 billionRyan Cohen kept Chewy under the radar until it sold for more than $3 billion
Laura Weidman Powers is closing the employment gap for minorities in tech by the year 2040Laura Weidman Powers is closing the employment gap for minorities in tech by the year 2040
Issa Rae’s transition from bootstrapped web series to HBOIssa Rae’s transition from bootstrapped web series to HBO
Slack is changing how people work — and it isn’t slowing downSlack is changing how people work — and it isn’t slowing down
With the help of Raj Kapoor, Lyft is firing on all cylindersWith the help of Raj Kapoor, Lyft is firing on all cylinders
Cardi B — the rapping sensation who used the internet to build fame on her own termsCardi B — the rapping sensation who used the internet to build fame on her own terms
Joey Zwillinger turned a pair of shoes into a Silicon Valley touchstoneJoey Zwillinger turned a pair of shoes into a Silicon Valley touchstone
Kylie Jenner’s makeup company used social media to generate $420 million in salesKylie Jenner’s makeup company used social media to generate $420 million in sales

41-50

Professor Amnon Shashua and Karl Iagnemma are riding the wave of exits in the self-driving space
Todd McKinnon, who successfully took his cloud management company IPO, also likes to give a lot to charity
Donald Glover is an Emmy-winning actor-writer-producer-director-rapper-stand-up comic — and now movie star
Kriti Sharma is defining the ethics of AI
Apoorva Mehta turned Instacart’s nightmare scenario into its best sales pitch
Waymo’s John Krafcik has the answers to your self-driving car questions
Evan Spiegel became a billionaire, and showed us how hard it is to go toe-to-toe with Facebook
Stephanie Lampkin is building a platform to eliminate hiring bias
Some of the biggest names in tech call on Joelle Emerson to make their companies more inclusive
Peter Thiel, the Valley’s most controversial investor, is also its best positioned in the Trump years
Professor Amnon Shashua and Karl Iagnemma are riding the wave of exits in the self-driving spaceProfessor Amnon Shashua and Karl Iagnemma are riding the wave of exits in the self-driving space
Todd McKinnon, who successfully took his cloud management company IPO, also likes to give a lot to charityTodd McKinnon, who successfully took his cloud management company IPO, also likes to give a lot to charity
Donald Glover is an Emmy-winning actor-writer-producer-director-rapper-stand-up comic — and now movie starDonald Glover is an Emmy-winning actor-writer-producer-director-rapper-stand-up comic — and now movie star
Kriti Sharma is defining the ethics of AIKriti Sharma is defining the ethics of AI
Apoorva Mehta turned Instacart’s nightmare scenario into its best sales pitchApoorva Mehta turned Instacart’s nightmare scenario into its best sales pitch
Waymo’s John Krafcik has the answers to your self-driving car questionsWaymo’s John Krafcik has the answers to your self-driving car questions
Evan Spiegel became a billionaire, and showed us how hard it is to go toe-to-toe with FacebookEvan Spiegel became a billionaire, and showed us how hard it is to go toe-to-toe with Facebook
Stephanie Lampkin is building a platform to eliminate hiring biasStephanie Lampkin is building a platform to eliminate hiring bias
Some of the biggest names in tech call on Joelle Emerson to make their companies more inclusiveSome of the biggest names in tech call on Joelle Emerson to make their companies more inclusive
Peter Thiel, the Valley’s most controversial investor, is also its best positioned in the Trump yearsPeter Thiel, the Valley’s most controversial investor, is also its best positioned in the Trump years

51-60

Julie Cordua is defending children with technology
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has reshaped media and telecom in just a few months on the job — like it or not
Salesforce’s Marc Benioff is raising the bar as a woke CEO
Brian Armstrong rode the cryptocurrency craze to create a bitcoin unicorn
Anthony Tan is giving Uber a run for its money in Southeast Asia
Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg wrote a viral guidebook to resisting the Trump agenda
Shopify’s Tobi Lutke is giving startups a crack at becoming the next Amazon
Reid Hoffman isn’t the Koch Brother of the left. Yet.
Dinesh Paliwal, the bridge between Detroit and Silicon Valley
Jordan Peele wrote and directed the year’s most-surprising, best-reviewed movie
Julie Cordua is defending children with technologyJulie Cordua is defending children with technology
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has reshaped media and telecom in just a few months on the job — like it or notFCC Chairman Ajit Pai has reshaped media and telecom in just a few months on the job — like it or not
Salesforce’s Marc Benioff is raising the bar as a woke CEOSalesforce’s Marc Benioff is raising the bar as a woke CEO
Brian Armstrong rode the cryptocurrency craze to create a bitcoin unicornBrian Armstrong rode the cryptocurrency craze to create a bitcoin unicorn
Anthony Tan is giving Uber a run for its money in Southeast AsiaAnthony Tan is giving Uber a run for its money in Southeast Asia
Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg wrote a viral guidebook to resisting the Trump agendaEzra Levin and Leah Greenberg wrote a viral guidebook to resisting the Trump agenda
Shopify’s Tobi Lutke is giving startups a crack at becoming the next AmazonShopify’s Tobi Lutke is giving startups a crack at becoming the next Amazon
Reid Hoffman isn’t the Koch Brother of the left. Yet.Reid Hoffman isn’t the Koch Brother of the left. Yet.
Dinesh Paliwal, the bridge between Detroit and Silicon ValleyDinesh Paliwal, the bridge between Detroit and Silicon Valley
Jordan Peele wrote and directed the year’s most-surprising, best-reviewed movieJordan Peele wrote and directed the year’s most-surprising, best-reviewed movie

61-70

Bari A. Williams has transformed from corporate lawyer to leading Silicon Valley diversity advocate
Toby Sun wants the future of transportation to be on two wheels
Jennifer Hyman pushed the idea of a clothing rental subscription toward the mainstream
Patrick Collison makes deals of all stripes
Dara Khosrowshahi’s path to becoming Uber’s CEO may have come as a surprise, but he may be the leader the company needs
Microsoft’s Brad Smith is leading the tech industry into battle on privacy and immigration
Michael Barbaro is the star of The Daily, the New York Times’ breakout podcast hit
Stefan Heck’s little-known startup, Nauto, works to make cars safer today and self-driving tomorrow
Tuft & Needle’s JT Marino and Daehee Park play nice with Amazon
Chris Liddell is Trump’s man behind efforts to modernize the whole government
Bari A. Williams has transformed from corporate lawyer to leading Silicon Valley diversity advocateBari A. Williams has transformed from corporate lawyer to leading Silicon Valley diversity advocate
Toby Sun wants the future of transportation to be on two wheelsToby Sun wants the future of transportation to be on two wheels
Jennifer Hyman pushed the idea of a clothing rental subscription toward the mainstreamJennifer Hyman pushed the idea of a clothing rental subscription toward the mainstream
Patrick Collison makes deals of all stripesPatrick Collison makes deals of all stripes
Dara Khosrowshahi’s path to becoming Uber’s CEO may have come as a surprise, but he may be the leader the company needsDara Khosrowshahi’s path to becoming Uber’s CEO may have come as a surprise, but he may be the leader the company needs
Microsoft’s Brad Smith is leading the tech industry into battle on privacy and immigrationMicrosoft’s Brad Smith is leading the tech industry into battle on privacy and immigration
Michael Barbaro is the star of The Daily, the New York Times’ breakout podcast hitMichael Barbaro is the star of The Daily, the New York Times’ breakout podcast hit
Stefan Heck’s little-known startup, Nauto, works to make cars safer today and self-driving tomorrowStefan Heck’s little-known startup, Nauto, works to make cars safer today and self-driving tomorrow
Tuft & Needle’s JT Marino and Daehee Park play nice with AmazonTuft & Needle’s JT Marino and Daehee Park play nice with Amazon
Chris Liddell is Trump’s man behind efforts to modernize the whole governmentChris Liddell is Trump’s man behind efforts to modernize the whole government

71-80

Tiffani Ashley Bell keeps the water on
Kyle Vogt holds the keys to GM’s self-driving ambitions
Who is behind some of Kleiner’s exits this year? Matt Murphy, who no longer works at Kleiner
Marc Stad, behind the scenes, is winning ownership stakes in Silicon Valley’s hottest companies
Under Jason Droege, UberEats was a bright spot in Uber’s otherwise scandal-ridden year
Clifford Levy is the glue behind the New York Times’ digital transformation
Jonathan Greenblatt is the man trying to shut down extremists online
Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen turned Axios into an overnight media success story
Alex Zhu proved that you don’t need to be Facebook to become a social media hit
Peter Szulczewski’s Wish has the attention of Amazon, Alibaba, eBay and Walmart
Tiffani Ashley Bell keeps the water onTiffani Ashley Bell keeps the water on
Kyle Vogt holds the keys to GM’s self-driving ambitionsKyle Vogt holds the keys to GM’s self-driving ambitions
Who is behind some of Kleiner’s exits this year? Matt Murphy, who no longer works at KleinerWho is behind some of Kleiner’s exits this year? Matt Murphy, who no longer works at Kleiner
Marc Stad, behind the scenes, is winning ownership stakes in Silicon Valley’s hottest companiesMarc Stad, behind the scenes, is winning ownership stakes in Silicon Valley’s hottest companies
Under Jason Droege, UberEats was a bright spot in Uber’s otherwise scandal-ridden yearUnder Jason Droege, UberEats was a bright spot in Uber’s otherwise scandal-ridden year
Clifford Levy is the glue behind the New York Times’ digital transformationClifford Levy is the glue behind the New York Times’ digital transformation
Jonathan Greenblatt is the man trying to shut down extremists onlineJonathan Greenblatt is the man trying to shut down extremists online
Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen turned Axios into an overnight media success storyJim VandeHei and Mike Allen turned Axios into an overnight media success story
Alex Zhu proved that you don’t need to be Facebook to become a social media hitAlex Zhu proved that you don’t need to be Facebook to become a social media hit
Peter Szulczewski’s Wish has the attention of Amazon, Alibaba, eBay and WalmartPeter Szulczewski’s Wish has the attention of Amazon, Alibaba, eBay and Walmart

81-90

Supreme’s James Jebbia is still king of the streetwear ‘drop’
Chamath Palihapitiya is controversial, opinionated and, yes, influential in shaping how Silicon Valley thinks about investing
Bryan Johnson wants to put a chip in your brain
Doug Mack and Fanatics have created a new breed of retailer
April Reign has become a force of nature on Twitter
Qi Lu is opening the road for self-driving cars
IA’s Michael Beckerman is the voice of Silicon Valley in Washington, D.C.
Digital ads weren’t paying the bill for Jack Conte. Now his Patreon is making real money for online artists.
You can thank Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick for the internet’s addiction to gaming
David Drummond is watching over Alphabet’s deals
Supreme’s James Jebbia is still king of the streetwear ‘drop’Supreme’s James Jebbia is still king of the streetwear ‘drop’
Chamath Palihapitiya is controversial, opinionated and, yes, influential in shaping how Silicon Valley thinks about investingChamath Palihapitiya is controversial, opinionated and, yes, influential in shaping how Silicon Valley thinks about investing
Bryan Johnson wants to put a chip in your brainBryan Johnson wants to put a chip in your brain
Doug Mack and Fanatics have created a new breed of retailerDoug Mack and Fanatics have created a new breed of retailer
April Reign has become a force of nature on TwitterApril Reign has become a force of nature on Twitter
Qi Lu is opening the road for self-driving carsQi Lu is opening the road for self-driving cars
IA’s Michael Beckerman is the voice of Silicon Valley in Washington, D.C.IA’s Michael Beckerman is the voice of Silicon Valley in Washington, D.C.
Digital ads weren’t paying the bill for Jack Conte. Now his Patreon is making real money for online artists.Digital ads weren’t paying the bill for Jack Conte. Now his Patreon is making real money for online artists.
You can thank Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick for the internet’s addiction to gamingYou can thank Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick for the internet’s addiction to gaming
David Drummond is watching over Alphabet’s dealsDavid Drummond is watching over Alphabet’s deals

91-100

Kirsten Green’s early bet on direct-to-consumer commerce brands keeps paying off
Tristan Walker introduced a hair-care system for women of color — with an assist from Sephora
Daniela Perdomo helps you text when disaster strikes
‘White hat’ hacker Amanda Rousseau hacks back at malicious software
James Freeman sold Blue Bottle without selling out
Lauren Gross — not Peter Thiel — is steering Founders Fund
Alastair Westgarth is the man with the internet balloons
Chris Urmson is developing the brains for self-driving cars
Sarah Tavel is seen as the future of one of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious venture firms
Matt and Ross Duffer’s cult hit ‘Stranger Things’ solidified Netflix as the content creator to watch
Kirsten Green’s early bet on direct-to-consumer commerce brands keeps paying offKirsten Green’s early bet on direct-to-consumer commerce brands keeps paying off
Tristan Walker introduced a hair-care system for women of color — with an assist from SephoraTristan Walker introduced a hair-care system for women of color — with an assist from Sephora
Daniela Perdomo helps you text when disaster strikesDaniela Perdomo helps you text when disaster strikes
‘White hat’ hacker Amanda Rousseau hacks back at malicious software‘White hat’ hacker Amanda Rousseau hacks back at malicious software
James Freeman sold Blue Bottle without selling outJames Freeman sold Blue Bottle without selling out
Lauren Gross — not Peter Thiel — is steering Founders FundLauren Gross — not Peter Thiel — is steering Founders Fund
Alastair Westgarth is the man with the internet balloonsAlastair Westgarth is the man with the internet balloons
Chris Urmson is developing the brains for self-driving carsChris Urmson is developing the brains for self-driving cars
Sarah Tavel is seen as the future of one of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious venture firmsSarah Tavel is seen as the future of one of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious venture firms
Matt and Ross Duffer’s cult hit ‘Stranger Things’ solidified Netflix as the content creator to watchMatt and Ross Duffer’s cult hit ‘Stranger Things’ solidified Netflix as the content creator to watch

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