16. Sue Naegle

Naegle was recently crowned head of HBO, but the mom of two young children still needs to seek refuge sometimes. That means a weekly 6 a.m. canyon hike with neighbors. "The first 20 minutes are hell," she admits, "but I'm so happy by the end of it." Such persistence has paid off over the years. She started as UTA's youngest partner at 29, co-heading the agency's TV department. At HBO she makes up for in enthusiasm what she may lack in experience, and isn't afraid to ask for help. From atop her new throne, Naegle oversees an expanding development slate of more than 10 pilots, which she'll spend the next year promoting and marketing. She'll also have to get "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" off the ground as a seven-episode series with the Weinstein Co. without its original guiding light, the late Anthony Minghella.