2009 rank: 25
Age: 57
Her division lost money for the second year in a row, but insiders say Desoer has the hardest job at the company. She was tapped to run the messy mortgage business as it bought Countrywide, a deal that put her in charge of one in five U.S. mortgages.
NEXT: Charlene Begley
Last updated September 30 2010: 2:47 PM ET