Linda Hasenfratz

Hasenfratz started as a machine operator at her father’s auto-parts factory in 1990 and metamorphosed it into a diversified manufacturing firm, with 57 plants in 17 countries and 23,000 employees. Revenue has nearly tripled to $3.7 billion since her father, a Hungarian immigrant, put her in charge in 2002, Customers include heavyweights like General Motors, Chrysler, and Volkswagen. Hasenfratz recently acquired European auto-parts maker Montupet SA for $882 million, the biggest acquisition in the group’s 50-year history, and is the highest paid female CEO among Canada’s 100 largest companies. She also became the first woman this year to chair the Business Council of Canada.