Each year in the quest to create the newspaper's "Most Influential" lists, Delaware Online/The News Journal staff identify who's who in the state — people who go above and beyond as community leaders, as health care workers, as those who step up and have a big influence on education, arts and entertainment, law and more.

Delaware has no shortage of incredible residents to choose from, as evidenced by this year's expansive project. Yet year after year, certain leaders who were already recognized in the past continue to have a tangible impact on the state.

You've most likely heard their names before, and if you've read previous editions of Delaware Online/The News Journal's Most Influential" series, you'll have definitely learned more about them.

These are our 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, those who have graduated from our annual lists. You will also find our inaugural (2023) Hall of Fame below, as well.

2023 HALL OF FAME: Delaware's most influential people

Like all of our Most Influential lists, the 2024 Hall of Fame may spark debate. But have no fear — this list will only grow in years to come.

Dr. Sandra Gibney: Doctor and addiction medicine expert

Ever at the forefront of addiction medicine and harm reduction, Dr. Sandra Gibney pivots her work as the opioid crisis changes. When heroin increasingly became laced with fentanyl, she and her crew of volunteers (all of whom equally deserve recognition) began including fentanyl test strips in their naloxone distribution and community outreach events. Early last year, in response to xylazine rearing its ugly head in Delaware, the emergency medicine doctor began a weekly wound care clinic at Brandywine Counseling and Community Services in addition to mobile outreach. This year, she's added a new tool to her belt: a van that provides free, mobile medical care for Delaware's most underserved men and women. Its wheels hit the ground in January and though based in New Castle County, it has already traversed the state, reaching Georgetown's pallet village in early February.

Paul Calistro: West End Neighborhood House, executive director

Paul Calistro's name is synonymous with that of the organization he leads: Wilmington's West End Neighborhood House. For more than three decades, Calistro has been at the helm of the nonprofit, not only continuing its 140-year-old mission but adding a number of transformative programs. These include a collaboration in the 1990s with St. Francis Hospital that created prenatal clinic to address infant mortality in low-income families, a micro lending program to encourage community home ownership and numerous meal events, among others, which allowed West End Neighborhood House to provide 37,500 meals in 2021 alone.

Antimo DiMeo and Scott Stein: Restaurateurs

This businessman-chef duo hardly needs an introduction, as their eateries speak for themselves. Taking up a half-block on North Market Street in Wilmington, Bardea Food & Drink, Bardea Steak and the recently-opened Garden at Bardea have become key downtown gathering spots.

The masterminds behind these concepts, Chef Antimo DiMeo and Scott Stein, first met about a decade ago, though it wasn't until 2018 that they opened their first eatery. They've been on a roll since then, created two more dining and lounge concepts, as well as a standalone stall in the DuPont Building's DE.CO, called Pizzeria Bardea.

2023'S CONCEPT: Bardea Restaurant Group announces new restaurant concept The Garden

Louis Capano III: Developer

You've seen the ads along the highway or other Delaware roads, or perhaps you've even rented an apartment or commercial space from Capano Management Company. At its helm is Louis Capano III, who oversees the company's 6,000-plus residences spanning four states. With another 2,000 residences in development, Capano is one of the state’s largest developers. His company also boasts two-dozen commercial properties: 17 retail and 7 office.

Aubrey Plaza: Actress, producer and author

It should come as no surprise that the most famous person in Delaware (yes, even President Joe Biden has acknowledged this) has made the 2024 Hall of Fame. In 2023, the dragon riding, Emmy Award-nominated actor was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

Ever-busy, Aubrey Plaza will join Margaret Qualley and Chris Evans in the dark comedy film "Honey Don't," which Hollywood Reporter says is set to begin production in March. While the plot hasn't yet been released, it's being produced by husband-wife duo Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, the makers of the recently released "Drive-Away Dolls."

Plaza also co-stars in the upcoming "My Old Ass,'' due out this summer, and has reportedly signed onto a project by legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and previously "wooed'' John Waters for a chance to star in what may be his first film in 20 years.

Next up for Aubrey Plaza: Delaware A-list actress is thirsty to star in her new film by John Waters. Here's what to know

Gov. John Carney: Mayoral candidate

After eight years of not living in the governor's mansion — instead choosing to keep his Wilmington residence — Gov. John Carney's gubernatorial tenure will come to an end later this year. Prior to being elected governor in 2016, the 67-year-old career politician served in the U.S. House of Representatives, as Delaware's 24th lieutenant governor and as the state secretary of finance. But if you thought his political aspirations would come to an end after his term ends, you were wrong. The Democrat announced late last year he's running for mayor of Wilmington, and 2023 campaign finance reports showed he raised more than $100,000 in just two months. Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki announced in October that he wouldn't seek a third term.

Chrissi Rawak: University of Delaware athletic director

The University of Delaware athletic director has her hands in a lot of pots. Supervising an NCAA Division I program with more than 20 sports and a nearly $50 million budget, last year she oversaw Delaware’s decision to move up to the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in 2025 as a member of Conference USA. While a costly venture, it provides more income-earning possibilities for Delaware due to media rights contracts while expanding recognition, status and appeal. Since being named athletic director in 2016, Chrissi Rawak has also overseen the $65 million renovation of Delaware Stadium and Whitney Athletic Center construction. Yet her aspirations don't end there − one of her major missions is the construction of a large indoor practice and office facility connected to an enclosed north end zone of Delaware Stadium. Still, the university hasn't announced such a project, which is estimated to cost $85 million.

Our 2023 Hall of Fame

Sam and Mariah Calagione: Dogfish Head founders

For years, the Calagiones have led the charge in the First State world of craft beer after making waves by opening the state's first brewpub in Rehoboth in 1995. A lot has changed since: Dogfish's original, cramped brewpub moved to a new, larger Rehoboth Beach location and its portfolio has expanded with additional restaurants and breweries, a distillery and even a Dogfish-branded Lewes inn, located not far from the Calagione's home.

But the real turning point came in 2019 when Boston Beer Co. bought Dogfish Head for $300 million, while still keeping the Calagiones on board as the brand continued to expand (but with a much larger company behind them). Even so, Dogfish Head remains synonymous with Delaware and continues to dominate the state's ever-growing beer world. And Sam Calagione is especially known even outside our tiny state's borders as the face of Dogfish Head, receiving a James Beard Award for Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional six years ago ― one of the culinary industry's highest honors.

Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, U.S. District Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit

She may not originally be from Delaware, but we'll claim Montgomery-Reeves as a Delawarean after the state helped catapult her to the federal bench. After clerking for the Delaware Court of Chancery Chancellor William B. Chandler III following law school, she made a splash in 2015 when she became the first Black judge to serve on the state's powerful Chancery Court.

After five years in that position, the mother of two made history again as the first Black justice to serve on Delaware’s Supreme Court before landing on the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit following President Joe Biden's nomination. The former partner with Wilmington's Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati law firm has the attention of the country's judicial world upon her, and the future seems prime to be as bright as her past.

Gerret and Tatiana Copeland, philanthropists

Usually, a state's arts and entertainment scene is mostly dependent on the artists who drive it. But in Delaware, the Copelands may be just as instrumental thanks to their deep pockets and love of the arts. Through millions of dollars of donations, there's a reason why their name is slapped on everything from the main room of The Grand (Copeland Hall) to The Queen (Copeland Theater).

The philanthropists have made headlines over the years with a $15 million gift to the Delaware Art Museum and a $5 million gift to the state's arts world during the pandemic. But they also have their financial fingerprints on a seemingly endless list of organizations from the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and The Playhouse on Rodney Square to the Kalmar Nyckel and Longwood Gardens.

Robert and Chris Buccini, developers

The Wilmington-born, Little Italy-raised Buccini brothers have transformed the face of Wilmington, especially the downtown area where millions of dollars (and decades) of development can be found on nearly every block. And as the city begins work on the long-forgotten western side of the now-established Riverfront, the privately held real estate film Buccini/Pollin Group is among the main partners in the effort. But their influence spills over the city border. In fact, it can be felt nationwide through major projects that keep piling up, including the 22-story W Hotel being built next door to Epic Universe, the 750-acre Universal Studio Orlando amusement park set to open in 2025. Overall, they boast more than $6 billion in assets, including more than 40 hotels and more than 7 million square feet of office and retail space.

Elena Delle Donne, WNBA star

One of the greatest WNBA players of all time, the Ursuline Academy graduate got her Olympics gold in 2016, one of only a handful to do so who hail from Delaware. Her popularity here skyrocketed when she left behind her University of Connecticut scholarship and came back to her home state to play for the University of Delaware. She also returned to be closer to her family, which includes sister Lizzie, who has cerebral palsy and is blind and deaf. Since then, she's racked up just about every award during her college and WNBA careers. As one of the most recognizable female athletes in the country, she even launched her own sneaker: the Nike Air Deldon. The Washington Mystics forward has overcome injuries in recent years and is still considering her WNBA future as of press time.

President Joe Biden

Even before he was elected as the 46th president of the United States, he already was the highest political office holder in state history thanks to his eight years as President Barack Obama's No. 2. In the state's 237-year history, Biden has accomplishments that no other Delawarean has touched— and you can tell by the fact that buildings across the state were dedicated to him even before he became the leader of the free world. At 81, the one-time New Castle County councilman is trying to add to that legacy with a second term in the White House, a job he had coveted for decades before winning in 2020.

Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware's Most Influential Hall of Fame inductees for 2024