We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes.

Zoë Routh

Dr Kiran Bedi is one of the most remarkable women I’ve ever met. As a teenager, she was an Asian tennis champion. She was the first female police officer in Delhi. She was strongly committed to ethical leadership, so much so that when she was on the traffic beat in Delhi, she had the Prime Minister’s car towed when it was parked illegally. There is a famous picture of her charging alone, armed only with a police baton, ahead of her fellow officers towards a group of rioters. Notwithstanding her steely courage, she made a lot of enemies. In an effort to thwart her, they sent her to Tihar prison to be the warden. Read more>>

Eddy Chaput

I remember when Lizzy Bergstrom first started working at the coffee shop with me. From the beginning, they talked about their passion for photography and their dream of traveling. It was just an idea at the time, but Lizzy had a vision.

Some time went by, and they bought their first camera. From that moment on, they were determined to learn everything about it—settings, lighting, composition—diving headfirst into their craft. About a year later, Lizzy started building a website and taking on photography work on the side. It was inspiring to watch their progress, knowing they were turning their passion into something real. Read more>>

Elaine M. Gatewood

My hero is my grandmother, who lived to be 103 years old. She was born in Jamaica and carried the strength, wisdom, and resilience of her heritage with grace. Her life was a testament to endurance, faith, and love, and she instilled those values in everyone around her.

One of the greatest lessons she taught me was the power of perseverance and faith. She had seen and endured so much throughout her long life—historical shifts, personal trials, and cultural changes—but she remained steadfast, always trusting in God and the power of community. She would often say, “Tek yuh time, nuh rush life,” reminding me that patience and trust in the journey are key. Read more>>

Travis Pietsch

I admire alot of designers and illustrators, but my all time favorite is Jim Phillips. Jim Phillips is a legendary graphic designer and illustrator, especially in the skateboarding and surf world. He got famous in the ’80s for creating iconic designs for Santa Cruz Skateboards, like the “Screaming Hand”. His bold, graphic style and bright colors became a huge part of skate culture. Phillips has also worked on album covers, ads, logos, and other design projects, making a big mark on pop art and the skate scene. He also designed one of my all time favorite logos for Independent Trucks back in 1978. His style is incredibly flexible, being able to render realism and lean into a more cartoony look while still holding his signature iconic style. Read more>>

Maria Aprea

When I think about a hero, I think about my idol whom I have been supporting since I was a child: Ariana Grande. Ariana has always been a reference point for me, in terms of professionalism and humanity! I love her way of being good and kind, I think she has been a huge influence in my life, I try every day to carry on her mission of goodness. Ariana has influenced my path so much, I got much more into graphic design because of her, at first I used to enjoy creating edits for her with her photos and over time, they turned into real posters and various graphics. I had the pleasure of being noticed by her, more than once. She really appreciated my work, commented on it and shared it, for me it was a “go ahead, it’s the right way!” I am really grateful for all this, I hope it’s really just the beginning of great journey. Read more>>

Michelle Pugh

My hero is my late grandfather, who passed away a little over a year ago. He was truly awe-inspiring and a self-starter, fleeing the UK after the war and setting up a better life for him and his family in New Zealand, where my dad was born and raised. My grandpa never let circumstances or age dictate what he did— he spent his later years as an author and a songwriter, composing even as arthritis made it difficult to play the piano, and writing multiple novels, short stories, an autobiography, and a photography collection. He inspires me every day to do what I love and serves as a constant reminder that it’s never too late to learn something new. Read more>>