doyens
Most seasoned veterans
Doyens is the plural of doyen, the senior or most respected member of a group: the doyens of French cuisine, doyens of the literary world.
The word suggests accumulated expertise and standing earned over time.
Doyenne is the feminine form, though doyen increasingly applies regardless of gender.
Senior figure of authority
- veteranExperienced former soldier
- old-timerLong-tenured person
- stalwartUnwavering loyal supporter
- patriarchMale head of family
matriarch · grand old man · senior member · respected elder · seasoned · established · venerable · distinguished
Distinguished musical leader
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- masterAuthority or controller
- connoisseurExpert in matters of taste
savant · guru · specialist · scholar · luminary · eminence · pundit · sage
One who guides others
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
- tastemakerOne who shapes trends
arbiter · gatekeeper · kingmaker · standard-bearer · torchbearer · figurehead · bellwether · pathfinder
elder
Senior figure of authority
patriarch · matriarch · grand old man · senior member · respected elder · seasoned · established · venerable · distinguished · emeritus
maestro
Distinguished musical leader
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- masterAuthority or controller
connoisseur · savant · guru · specialist · scholar · luminary · eminence · pundit · sage · oracle
leader
One who guides others
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trendsetterOne who initiates styles
tastemaker · arbiter · gatekeeper · kingmaker · standard-bearer · torchbearer · figurehead · bellwether · pathfinder · vanguard