33. Lynne Franks-Meinert, 38
Dragon boater

If you meet Lynne Franks-Meinert, expect a persuasive pitch to pick up a paddle and jump into a dragon boat. In fact, here it is: "It's kind of like canoeing, but you do it in sync with everybody else," Franks-Meinert says. "You have 20 people of all different abilities...and you paddle this boat down the river; it's gorgeous; it's a good workout...it's supportive and family-based. It's really quite interesting."

In addition to participant and promoter, Franks-Meinert is also president, founder and chairperson of Steel City Dragon Boat Association, based at the Fox Chapel Yacht Club. She coaches several teams and started one just for breast-cancer survivors. "Now, their bodies are powerful and athletic," she says. "They join with other survivors... shooting this dragon boat down the river, socializing and racing together, and within that, there's support."

34. Dutch MacDonald, 39
Urban architect

Dutch MacDonald re-envisions older buildings, updating them for life in modern times. Skinny, turn-of-the-century buildings downtown and in the Strip became residential lofts with MacDonald's help. He was building space for urban living before urban living was cool.

But he draws plans for commercial clients, too. "I have worked with many cultural and nonprofit groups that provide vitality to our city, including the design for the Society for Contemporary Crafts in the Strip District, studios for Dance Alloy Theater in Friendship, the New Hazlett Theater on the North Side and the renovation of the main [branch of] the Carnegie Library in Oakland," MacDonald says.

He's also involved in his neighborhood, Friendship. He's active with local community-development corporations, drove the effort to install a community park, and provides architectural services to Friendship-based nonprofits including Attack Theater and Pittsburgh Community Television. MacDonald's take on his contribution to the region: "I help transform urban living through my work and my volunteer activities."

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