Hyun Jeong-Eun

As Hyundai Group Chairwoman, Hyun leads a complex empire of 20 affiliated, family-controlled companies—such groups are called chaebols in Korea—including Hyundai Merchant Marine and Hyundai Elevator (but not Hyundai Motor). Over the past year, she maneuvered to maintain control of her affiliates—which drew her into conflict with Schindler Elevator, a partnering shareholder—and continued her long-running efforts to bring peace to the Korean peninsula through tourism and economic collaboration (Though trips to the Mt. Kumgang tourist region, which the Group developed in North Korea, are on hold, the matter remains top of mind for Hyun.) —Erika Fry