Teddy Quinlivan was already slaying runways on behalf of Proenza Schouler, Prada, and Louis Vuitton when she decided to flip fear the bird, take on hate, and come out as transgender through an interview with CNN. Even with her ascendant career at stake, Ms. Quinlivan was determined to counter the increasingly perilous political climate of hate and use her platform to stand firm on behalf of transgender people.

Fortunately, the support she found has been emphatic, inspiring, and forceful enough to forge a cultural climate change. Representing the likes of Marc Jacobs, Hugo Boss, Gucci, Diesel, Dior, and Chanel Beauty, there’s no doubt that she has increased trans visibility, which she understands is a crucial step in increasing trans acceptance.

A powerful speaker and dedicated educator, Ms. Quinlivan has also protested sexual harassment across the industry by refusing to work for known abusers, and her riveting Tedx talk on self acceptance is racking up views through her robust Instagram following. Delivering fashion along with a winning spirit of defiance and an infectious sense of pride, she is tapping into the industry’s power to be a bellwether for cultural climate change.