Treasury & Risk Management's 100 Most Influential People in Finance is like no other list of prominent business leaders compiled. That's because every candidate chosen must have some kind of immediate influence—either as a thought leader, service provider or advocate—upon the magazine's readership of CFOs, treasurers, controllers and other senior finance executives. Although in 2003 we confined the list to U.S. candidates, we decided to think more globally this year—particularly in light of the impending convergence of accounting standards.
VISIONARY CFOs
Finance leaders with 360-degree strategies for their companies
John Connors, SVP Finance and Administration and CFO, Microsoft Corp.
People may have complaints occasionally about Microsoft products, but no one could quibble with Connors' outstanding stewardship of the company's financial strategy and innovative finance operations.
Gregory Geswein, SVP and CFO, Diebold Inc.
Taking on the computer nerds is no sweat to Geswein, who led the way in Diebold's global technology overhaul.
David Shedlarz, EVP and CFO, Pfizer Inc.
Shedlarz and Pfizer set the pace for rigorous corporate governance before it was the trend.
Keith Sherin, SVP Finance and CFO, General Electric Co.
Sherin's partnership with CEO Jeffrey Immelt is considered the model for effective corporate structure and culture.