President, ToyotaRank: 10Why he matters: Toyota will become the world's biggest automaker on a volume basis this year, but that's not the statistic that counts. What counts is the fact that, while GM and Ford lost $2 billion and $12.6 billion last year, respectively, Toyota reaped a profit of $13.2 billion -- its seventh record-smashing year in a row.
A Toyota lifer, Watanabe rose to the top job in 2005 thanks to his talent for eliminating inefficiency, but he's also bolstered the company's reputation for innovative thinking. While the Prius remains a high-profile success, rumor has it that Toyota plans to release a next-generation hybrid that you can recharge by plugging it into your home's electrical system.
Meet 50 Who Matter winner Gina Bianchini. Her site, Ning, lets anyone be a social networking mogul. (more) 
