Marillyn Hewson

Despite ongoing global uncertainty, from international sanctions to a U.S.-China trade war, Hewson continues to execute at Lockheed Martin. The defense contractor’s sales rose 8% last year on a record number of orders, and its massive F-35 fighter jet program is steadily ramping up—in spite of some unexpected hurdles, including the U.S. decision to nix Turkey’s plans to buy more than 100 of the planes. The company is making up for the lost business with a major new F-35 deal that’s in the works with the Department of Defense, as well as a $1.1 billion contract to provide helicopters to the Navy. Investors seem to back Hewson’s strategy, sending the stock price up 16% in the past year, outpacing the S&P 500 and the industry. The CEO’s influence continues to grow: She joined the board of Johnson & Johnson this year.

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