Beth Comstock

She’s the first chief marketing officer to make the list. But she also oversees GE’s $3 billion lighting business, plus venture investing and licensing. In August, GE CEO Jeff Immelt made Comstock a vice chair—the first woman to hold that title at the company. Her charge: leading business innovation across GE. She’s also on Nike’s board.

For more on newcomers and returns to the list, read “Who's on? Who's off? Fortune's list of the Most Powerful Women has plenty of changes.”