THR's Women in Entertainment 2012: Power 100

Deborah Barak
Executive vp business operations, CBS Network TV Entertainment Group

Barak, 55, supervises all talent negotiations, producer deals and licensing fees for CBS, which this year included renewing Ashton Kutcher’s deal on Two and a Half Men and huge renewals for the Academy of Country Music Awards and the Kennedy Center Honors.

Who gave me my big break: Nancy Tellem, who hired me at CBS 27 years ago.

When I leave work each day, I can’t wait to: Do yoga. It’s the best for stress relief and bad backs.

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: Hike with friends.

My indulgence: A glass of wine with dinner.

When my relatives are confused about what I do, I tell them: I can get you tickets to anything.

Top three shows on my DVR: The Good Wife, Homeland, Modern Family.

Embarrassed to admit I watch: Too much news!

Bernardine Brandis
Executive vp business and legal affairs, Walt Disney Studios

By shepherding the negotiations for Disney's two biggest 2013 movies, Oz: The Great and Powerful and Johnny Depp's The Lone Ranger, Brandis, 59, married with two teenagers, has proved the master of the megadeal.

Toughest decision I had to make this year: How much to pay the highest-paid talent in a bad economy.

Proudest moment this year: Getting a modestly budgeted movie, Saving Mr. Banks, put together with a remarkable cast: Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Paul Giamatti. It doesn’t get much better than Tom Hanks playing Walt Disney on the Disney lot.

Best advice I’ve ever gotten: “Tell it straight, say it straight.”

When my relatives are confused about what I do, I tell them: My children used to think my job was bringing them home DVDs.

When I leave work: I hope that at least one of my children still living at home is willing to have dinner with me.

My indulgence: Buying boots.

Can’t get through my workday without: Coffee and reality checks with my team.

Most surprising songs on my iPod: Akon and Ne-Yo. My son slips them all in there.

Beth Roberts
Executive vp business affairs, NBCU Cable Entertainment, and COO, Universal Cable Productions

After 15 years at the company, Roberts, 54, wears two hats that allow her to oversee business affairs for NBCU’s cable channels (USA Network, Syfy, Bravo and E!) and work closely with Bonnie Hammer to define the company’s studio division.

Proudest moment this year: In August, I traveled to Toronto and visited the sets of all the shows we produce there. It was amazing after looking at budgets for so long to see all this come to life.

Toughest decision I had to make this year: Trying to figure out what to wear to the Emmys.

When I leave work each day, I can’t wait to: Get into comfortable shoes.

My indulgence: Taking all of my vacation days.

When my relatives are confused about what I do, I tell them: I get deals done so you’re not watching color bars on the television.

Jana Winograde
Executive vp business affairs and administration, ABC Entertainment Group

Winograde, 48, was key to reaching a deal in the Modern Family cast renegotiations. She also worked on Jimmy Kimmel’s contract extension when his show moved to 11:35 p.m. and made the deal for the Nashville soundtrack that churned out four hits before the show debuted.

Who gave me my big break: [The CW chief] Mark Pedowitz, who hired me as a director of business affairs at ABC.

Favorite way to unwind on the weekend: On the soccer field.

My indulgence: Home decorating.

Most surprising song on my iPod: “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.

Totally starstruck around: Diablo Cody.

Proudest accomplishment this year: We made our budgets despite a number of fiscal challenges.

Click here to read THR's complete Women in Entertainment list.