Mohamed Abdul-Salam Al-Mahgoub
Governor of Alexandria, Egypt
When he took Alexandria's top post three years ago, the ancient port city had long since lost its blush under corrupt leadership. But today al-Mahgoub, TK, is being credited with reinventing Alexandria as a thriving commercial center, attracting tens of billions of dollars of investment through reform, re-development and tax incentives. He has earned the nickname Magub: Arabic for "the beloved one.

 

Deborah Hopkins
Former Lucent CFO
She assumed the top finance spot at Lucent a year ago, after helping to revive Boeing. But Hopkins, 46, last month resigned from Lucent amid what colleagues describe as a personality clash with CEO Henry Schacht. Executives everywhere are wondering what's next for Hopkins, who seemed on a rocket to the top. She leaves Lucent just as the company reported $3.7 billion in first-quarter losses, and is entering merger talks with Alcatel.

 

Serge Tchuruk
CEO of Alcatel
He's already regarded as a turnaround ace in France, where he has streamlined three bloated companies. But now U.S. investors are taking note of Tchuruk, as his French telecom-equipment maker eyes a merger with troubled Lucent. Tchuruk, 63, began his career with Mobil in 1964. Since he joined Alcatel as CEO in 1995, Tchuruk has focused the company on telecom, shedding unrelated businesses like a vineyard and magazines, and returning Alcatel to profitability.

 

Abby Johnson
President of Fidelity Management & Research
As she takes over Fidelity's money-management arm this month, Abby Johnson looks more than ever like the heir to the largest U.S. mutual fund company, now led by her father, chairman Ned Johnson. Abby, 39, started out answering phones as an intern. After getting her M.B.A. at Harvard, she joined the firm as a stock analyst and eventually managed several funds. The oldest child and the only one in the family business, Abby owns 24% of Fidelity's stock, valued at $10 billion.

 

Shigeru Ishii
President of Sony Bank
He will be steering one of the world's most respected brands into uncharted territory as he leads Sony's new online bank, launching this month amid Japan's still stagnant economy. Ishii, 46, learned a bit about hard financial times at the now defunct Yamaichi Securities, and he plans to be more nimble than brick-and-mortar competitors. His bank will offer higher interest rates to depositors, and it will benefit from the marketing muscle of its parent company.

Send a letter to the editor

M O R E  O N  T I M E   A S I A

M O R E  O N  T I M E   E U R O P E



M O R E  O N  T I M E. C O M