64. Nancy Dubuc

Never let it be said that Dubuc can't own up to her mistakes: A recent bid to improve efficiency by banning e-mails on Fridays in her office led to a staff revolt. "I count on my team to call me out on my bad ideas," she says. Being able to listen to those around her has helped the former A&E executive lead History to record ratings each quarter in 2008 with series like "Ice Road Truckers" and the special "102 Minutes that Changed America," which drew 5.4 million viewers.

She's only been on the job for two years, but her focus is on making her network more relevant, and avoiding the metaphorical dust associated with history. In the coming year, she'll be focusing on building more franchises and "appointment-viewing series." In the meantime, she's sticking with her morning meditation program to keep things calm and collected.