Since taking the reins of the firm’s Chinese operations in 2005, Christianson has helped Morgan Stanley do deals worth $293 billion over the past decade. A key player in Alibaba’s $25 billion IPO last year, she is now building the bank’s e-commerce presence in the country. The outspoken women’s rights advocate, a member of the Estée Lauder board, is also an influential voice overseas. And a recent
"Women Fashion Power” exhibit at the Design Museum in London showcased one of her outfits—along with those of Diane von Furstenberg and Lady Gaga.
—Rupali Arora