CEO
Alcatel-Lucent
Country: FranceAlcatel-Lucent
2006 rank: 1
Russo has had a tough year trying to navigate the telecom industry. Since completing the merger of telecom-gear makers Alcatel and Lucent in 2006, Russo has issued three profit warnings because of weak sales. The 55-year-old, who has homes in her native New Jersey and Paris, continues to make cuts. The combined company made $738 million on $26 billion in revenue in fiscal 2006.