In her second year as head of the nation’s largest auto-maker, Barra—in the top spot this year—has led the $156-billion-in-sales company out from under the shadow of its 2014 ignition-switch recall. Barra spent $2.9 billion on recalls, which dropped 2014 profits 26%. Yet in recent months she has beaten back headwinds from weak international markets, as sales of expensive trucks and SUVs have soared. Barra was one of the few female CEO participants in the viral
#ilooklikeanengineer Twitter campaign, which promoted women in tech.