CEO, Apple, 53
Although Apple continues to battle for its share of the global marketplace against industry behemoths Samsung, Microsoft, and Amazon, Cook remains the most powerful gay man in corporate America. His influence hasn’t faltered, but as he strategizes to keep the company on top in a fiercely competitive environment, he still hasn’t increased his public persona. Cook has never publicly discussed his sexual orientation, but in December 2013, the Alabama native gave a landmark speech at an event organized by his alma mater, Auburn University, in which he finally discussed suffering personal prejudice. “Since these early days, I have seen and have experienced many types of discrimination, and all of them were rooted in the fear of people that were different than the majority.”
