2006 rank: 27
Age: 49
Burns is not only the heir apparent and right-hand woman to CEO Anne Mulcahy but the force behind the improved product line at Xerox. One example of the fruits of Burns' R&D investments: Xerox's new emulsion aggregate toner plant in upstate New York, which opened in August, is the only one of its kind in the U.S. No wonder net income at Xerox grew more than 20% last year.