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Virtualization Maven

Courtesy of VMWare

Virtualization Maven

Diane Greene
Former CEO, VMware

Let's be clear: Greene is a hard-core technologist, and VMware (VMW) would not have become a runaway software hit without her leadership. Greene helped spawn the frenzy for virtualization software that helps IT managers make more efficient use of computers. She oversaw VMware's sale to EMC (EMC) for $635 million and the later initial share sale of a 10% stake that raised $1.1 billion, the most successful in 2007. Yet as the economy slumped and results missed expectations, the tech-savvy Greene couldn't win Wall Street's trust (BusinessWeek.com, 07/08/08).