Maile Gavet

The French-born CEO runs not only Russia’s Amazon but its Expedia and FedEx as well. Sales at the country’s largest e-commerce group have almost doubled to more than $300 million since the former BCG consultant took over last year. The challenges she faces in Russia’s still infant e-commerce bazaar are intense: Less than 20% of Russian Internet users have made a purchase online, most distrust anything that doesn’t involve direct personal contact, and almost all still pay in cash on delivery. Meanwhile, rivals are snapping at her heels trying to poach her trained staff. Still, Gavet, who worked in an orphanage in Russia while studying the language, is staying one step ahead. Aided by a record venture capital infusion of $100 million in September 2011, she acquired popular online fashion retailer Sapato in February and is gunning for exponential growth. Unashamed fan of: Britney Spears. –Rupali Arora