Yahoo’s Marissa Mayer and IBM’s Ginni Rometty aren’t the only new faces in the boardroom. At least 20 women now run major American public companies–and more than half got their job last year. Here are CEOs who get fewer headlines–but rule over companies with almost $40 billion in combined revenue
Deanna M Mulligan
Guardian life
Named July 2011
Total revenue: $7.8 billion
College major: business, university Of nebraska.
First Job: ad sales, daily Nebraskan (college newspaper).
Big break: moving to new york.
Leadership mantra: We are a team, But I make the final call.
Best advice for future female don’t worry so much.
Photograph by matt furman for forbes
Hair by eloise cheung at Walter schupfer management using aveda;Makeup by alex almeida at Walter schupfer management
Denise Morrison
Campbell Soup
Named August 2011
Total revenue: $7.7 billion
College major: Economics and Psychology, Boston college.
First Job: sales rep, procter & gamble’s Paper division.
Big break: moving from sales to business Director, where i got my first p&l experience.
Leadership mantra: Put the right people in the right positions and then empower and challenge them to deliver.
Best advice for future female ceos: Surround yourself with excellence.
Photograph by getty images
Hair by eloise cheung at walter Schupfer Management using Aveda;
Makeup by Alex Almeida at Walter Schupfer management
Gracia Martore
Gannett
Named October 2011
Total Revenue: $5 billion
College Major: History and political science, Wellesley college.
First Job: Three jobs in college: boston public Library, wellesley college library and my uncle’s Restaurant.
Big break: Taking on investor-relations duties; my previous role in treasury group was internally Focussed.
Leadership mantra: Be direct and straightforward.
Best advice for future female ceos: Be willing to go outside your comfort zone.
Photograph by bill miles for forbes
Hair by eloise cheung at walter schupfer Management using Aveda;
makeup by Alex Almeida at walter Schupfer management
Debra Reed
Sempra Energy
Named June 2011
Total Revenue: $10 billion
College Major: Civil Engineering, University of southern california.
First job: Energy systems engineer, Southern california gas co.
Big break: Promoted as the youngest and First female vice president.
Leadership Mantra: Set long-term goals and high expectations.
Best advice for future female ceos: The greatest satisfaction is creating an inspired organisation.
Photograph by christian peacock for forbes
Heather Bresch
Mylan
Named October 2011
Total revenue: $6.1 billion
College major: international studies, West Virginia university.
First job: clerk at my family’s carpet store.
Big break: recognition from helping pass
The 2003 medicare modernization act.
Leadership mantra: results-oriented, Performance-driven.
Best advice for future female ceos: Develop leadership skills at a young age so you have confidence later in life.
Photograph by Tim Pannell for Forbes
Hair by Eloise Cheung at walter Schupfer Management using aveda;
Makeup by Alex Almeida at walter Schupfer management
(This story appears in the 28 September, 2012 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)