Phebe Novakovic

Since taking the helm at ­General Dynamics in 2013, Novakovic, a former CIA ­officer, has not only brought the defense contractor out of the red but also posted record profits of $3 billion in 2015, up 17% from the year before. General ­Dynamics’ stock price has more than doubled since she took over in 2013. Though its ­Gulfstream private-­jet ­business has flagged lately, the company has recently won major ­contracts with the U.S. Navy, as well as the governments of Denmark and the United Kingdom.