Wang Fengying (王鳳英)

Company: Great Wall Motor (長城汽車公司)

Headquarters: Hebei

Main focus: Auto production and retail

Title: CEO

Age: 41

In 1991, Wang Fengying started her career with Great Wall Motor at the tender age of 21. By the age of 33, Wang had risen to the post of general manager and, in 2003, she was appointed chief executive officer of the company. The appointment made her the first ever female executive in China's auto industry.

Under her leadership, Great Wall Motor has become one of the top automakers in China by focusing on producing pickup trucks and SUV models. In September this year, the company was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, making it only the second private automakers in China to go public on both the Shanghai and Hong Kong markets.