Alison Watkins

Coca-Cola’s Australian producer and distributor faces the same challenges as its major shareholder, The Coca-Cola Company, in the U.S., as consumer taste shifts away from sugary soft drinks. But Watkins, who took over as CEO in 2014, led the company to a 20.5% (44.6% in local currency) increase in profits, to $295 million last year. She’s in the midst of a plan to cut about $75 million in costs and is revamping CCA’s soda products and boosting its other beverages. The company is also reducing the sugar content in its mid-calorie Coke Life beverage, which it plans to relaunch next year. It’s also introduced a new low-calorie iced tea called Fuze, and struck a deal in April 2016 to distribute Monster Energy in Australia and New Zealand.