Special Program Root Tag

After practicing law for nearly two decades, Bancorp Rhode Island's Merrill Sherman sort of stumbled into banking.

Working with numbers is a pleasure for Diane D'Erasmo, but people skills have been just as instrumental in helping her build HSBC's commercial banking businesses.

Rick Waugh, Scotiabank's president and chief executive, says he is impressed with Alberta Cefis' ability to build a profitable business.

Carver Bancorp's Deborah Wright likes to go out for lunch, because, she says, it's the best way to keep in touch with people.

Frustrated that senior-management ranks are still dominated by men, female executives are approaching their work with a renewed commitment to nurture talented women.

Whatever the next turn in the market cycle brings, the executives on this list will be prepared. They have not only endured some of the toughest times finance has seen, they have led by example through the worst of it.

It's hard to imagine now, but not all that long ago few people could name anyone who worked at Goldman Sachs. Anyone except for chief investment strategist Abby Joseph Cohen.

Given the nature of Nicole Arnaboldi's new role at Credit Suisse, taking a circumspect view has never been more important.

Stacy Bash-Polley, partner and managing director at Goldman Sachs, is known as a good listener who asks people what's on their minds.

The pivotal opportunity of Barbara Byrne's career was one she almost didn't take.

When adopting a role model almost 30 years ago, Candace Browning aimed high: She became — and remains — a big fan of Margaret Thatcher.

Had she not received some good advice early in her career, Catherine Smith might not be the head of ING U.S. Retirement Services.

Carla Harris loves to mentor. So much so that she created a program at Morgan Stanley to provide support and advice to its asset managers around the globe.

Jane Thompson has a pretty simple mantra: Focus on your strengths and leave your weaknesses at home.

Under Kathleen Murphy, who heads Fidelity Investments' personal investing unit, it stepped up efforts to call customers to offer support.

Despite all she has to do, Charlotte McLaughlin still makes a priority of cultivating opportunities for minority employees.

Looking back, Diane Schumaker-Krieg says her career was driven more by fear than anything else.

Isabelle Ealet has credentials, but she puts such accomplishments into context amid Goldman Sachs' roster of high-achievers.

Morgan Stanley CFO Ruth Porat is a survivor, professionally and personally, and over the past 25 years has become a powerful adviser on Wall Street.

Liz Ann Sonders, one of the top investment strategists in the country, is using her skills and influence to grow the charity that is nearest to her heart.