After a move to a new school district during their high school years, Cook and her brother were inspired to create a website that makes it easy to make new friends -- online. Facebook connects you with people you know while MeetMe connects you with people you have never met; it's similar to a dating website, sans romantic intentions. Though the idea was conceived in 2005—when Cook was she just 15—she nursed the site during her time at Georgetown University. In 2011, just after Cook's graduation, myYearbook was purchased by Quepasa Corporation for $100 million.
Up next? Cook still works for her company, which has been rebranded MeetMe, and she loves the office environment. "It's fairly common that I'll come into my office and see all of my things flipped upside down," she laughs. "We like to play pranks in the office." The creative environment keeps Cook thinking. Working heavily on mobile, she hopes to build a platform that allows people to meet while standing on a subway platform—or waiting in line at Starbucks.
This year's Most Powerful Women are shaping the future of technology, defense, and media.
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