For a decade, the Shorty Impact Awards have cast a spotlight on a powerful truth: that influence, when harnessed with intention, can be a profound force for good.

As we mark this milestone 10th anniversary, we are proud to honor a group of visionaries who are not just shaping digital culture, but are actively rewriting its purpose. They are leaders, storytellers, engineers, and educators proving that a like button can be a launchpad, and a subscriber count can be a community for change.

Join us in celebrating the exceptional individuals and organizations named our 2025 Creators of the Year.

Smosh

Smosh has evolved from a viral YouTube channel into a studio with over 26 million subscribers while shaping internet culture for two decades. Beyond entertainment, Smosh has leveraged its influence to fundraise for causes like cancer research, LGBTQ+ support, and Indigenous rights, raising hundreds of thousands for critical organizations. Smosh proves that digital creators can transform entertainment into a force for social good, and remind us the importance of friendship and laughter.

Xyla Foxlin

Engineer and pilot Xyla Foxlin uses visual storytelling to inspire millions of young people, especially women and minorities, to pursue STEM. Through initiatives like Reinvented Magazine and #PrincessesWithPowerTools, she has introduced tens of thousands of children to hands-on engineering. Her advocacy and outreach demonstrate how creators can transform access to STEM and redefine who belongs in innovation.

Jordan and Salish Matter

With over 50 million followers, Jordan and Salish Matter have built a global community through storytelling that celebrates creativity, family, and connection. Their videos model resilience and positivity, showing that uplifting content can resonate deeply across generations and cultures. They have redefined family-driven entertainment and proved that digital influence can inspire and unite.

Hafu Go

Hafu Go started as a college student with nothing but curiosity and a camera. Today, his platform reaches over 15 million followers and 5 billion views, making him one of the most influential Asian voices in digital media. He has redefined the edutainment genre by blending spectacle with substance. Through bold experiments, unforgettable storytelling, and partnerships with global brands to showcase innovation, he inspires millions. Hafu Go reminds the world that learning doesn’t stop at graduation.

CatG. (Catherine Goetze)

Cat G., known as @AskCatGPT, has become one of the internet's most trusted voices on AI and technology. In her signature non-pretentious, non-patronizing style, she speaks to over 1 million followers across social media. Blending creativity and commentary, she helps audiences understand not just what's happening, but why it matters. From breaking down major model releases to sparking conversations on digital harmony to launching her own product line, Physical Phones, Cat is shaping how we engage with technology.

Silicon Valley Girl (Marina Mogilko)

Marina Mogilko aka Silicon Valley Girl has built a global community of over 18 million by sharing her journey as an immigrant entrepreneur and making opportunities accessible for others. Through LinguaTrip.com and her YouTube channels, she has helped thousands pursue education, language learning, and entrepreneurship worldwide. Her work empowers individuals to break barriers and turn knowledge into life-changing opportunity.

This year's honorees are the architects of a new creative paradigm. They have moved beyond content creation to build communities, ignite essential dialogues, and engineer tangible change. They stand as a testament to a new standard of digital achievement, where a platform's true value is measured not by its scale, but by its depth of impact.

As we reflect on a decade of the Shorty Impact Awards, we celebrate these Creators of the Year for proving that creativity, when fused with purpose, becomes an unparalleled force for good.

Here's to a decade of impact, and to the visionary changemakers who are lighting the way for the Decade Forward.