Vodafone

Vittorio Colao, 47, Chief Executive Officer since July 2008

Biggest accomplishment in this job: Colao says he hasn't been on the job long enough to single out a major accomplishment.

Previous experience: Colao rejoined Vodafone (VOD), as deputy CEO and chief of its European operation, in 2006, after two years as CEO of Italian media conglomerate RCS MediaGroup. He started with Vodafone in 2001, after working as a media and telecom consultant for McKinsey in Milan. He has an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Innovation philosophy: "Innovation must simplify and positively surprise. Innovative services and processes must always make Vodafone customers feel their lives have improved because of them; and through this, they become advocates."