In 2025, that momentum was driven by two Ray Hughes Management clients who have turned their respective industries upside down: chef and creator Tue Nguyen and race car driver Samantha Tan. While their arenas couldn’t be more distinct—one in the kitchen, the other on the asphalt—both are united by a rare, ambitious thread: they are building their own legacies from the ground up, refusing to wait for the door to open.
For Tue Nguyen, known to millions as TwayDaBae, the honor is a testament to the power of authentic storytelling. Nguyen hasn’t just mastered the art of Vietnamese cooking; she has dismantled the gatekeeping that often surrounds it. Through her debut cookbook, Di An, and her magnetic digital presence, she has bridged the gap between complex culinary tradition and the everyday home kitchen. She invites her audience not just to watch, but to participate. Whether it’s via her viral TikTok recipes or the bold, vibrant flavors served at her pop-up kitchen ventures in Studio City, Nguyen is proving that the most influential culinary spaces today are defined by accessibility, personality, and genuine connection.
In the high-stakes world of international motorsport, Samantha Tan is operating with a different kind of precision. As a driver and co-owner of Samantha Tan Racing and STR38 Motorsports, Tan is shattering the traditional ceiling of a sport that rarely sees women—let alone women of color—at the helm of both the car and the team. Her journey is defined by a relentless duality: the discipline required to secure class podiums at the Nürburgring and the business acumen needed to lead a team through the 24H GT Series.
From the Road to Le Mans to the 2026 Michelin Pilot Challenge, Tan isn’t just competing; she’s orchestrating a transformation in how motorsport teams are built and branded.
Ultimately, the recognition of Nguyen and Tan serves as a broader cultural signal. Modern influence is no longer tethered to a single path. Nguyen’s rise is a masterclass in cultural preservation and community building; Tan’s is a study in grit and barrier-breaking entrepreneurship. Together, they are proof that the next generation of leadership isn’t asking for a seat at the table—they’re building their own.