John Yates, Partner, Morris Manning & Martin, LLP

John Yates is the partner in charge of Morris Manning & Martin’s corporate technology practice. But the long-time attorney is probably best known as a master connector—of people to positions, nonprofits to donors and tech founders to funders. He helped launch Venture Atlanta. Since starting in 2007 the annual conference has led to $7.5 billion in funds raised for tech entrepreneurs.