Best CEOs

Luis von Ahn has used AI to create content for the popular language-learning app.

Our annual list features 26 leaders whose deft guidance has put their companies in a stronger competitive position.

Under Rowan’s leadership, shares of the private-investments manager have gained more than 180%, outrunning the market and competitors’ stocks.

Berkshire Hathaway stock has risen 50,000-fold under his leadership.

Oracle’s CEO turned a tech also-ran into a cloud and AI data-center powerhouse.

The CEO is curious, engaged, and focused on the future. The company and its stock have thrived on his watch.

Under its CEO, JPMorgan Chase sets the banking standard globally in returns and operating performance.

Founder and CEO Richard Fairbank turned a small credit-card lender into a fintech powerhouse. Now he’s taking on Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

The CEO has run T.J. Maxx’s parent for nearly a decade. The retailer is renowned for good merchandising decisions.

Chili’s parent company has thrived under Kevin Hochman. Maybe it’s the stretchy mozzarella.

Nvidia’s CEO has successfully positioned the company ahead of emerging technologies. Today it is benefiting from one of the biggest product cycles in tech history.

Revenue rose 29% last year, net-income margin was 16%, and free-cash-flow margin was 40%. Palantir stock was up 340%.

Scott Kirby focuses on execution—and employees.

The retailer is now also an e-commerce, advertising, and fintech juggernaut, with one of the market’s best-performing stocks.

Under the CEO, Microsoft has become one of the world’s biggest company by market cap.

Revenue from smoke-free products has surged under Jacek Olczak. So have the shares.

Clifton Pemble doesn’t get the attention of Tim Cook, but maybe he should.

The streaming service has experimented in ways it once disavowed, much to shareholders’ delight.

Through new-store openings and acquisitions, Rebelez has made Casey’s General Stores the nation’s third-largest convenience-store chain and fifth-largest pizza chain.

Under Dave Regnery, the company has seen higher profit margins and a rising stock price.

Under CEO Dave Ricks, Eli Lilly has won the war of the weight-loss drugs.

Jennifer Rumsey is moving the 106-year-old diesel-engine maker into a greener age.

The CEO’s big bet on fiber broadband has turned AT&T into a winner again.

The CEO executed one of the most stunning makeovers in tech history. She is far from done, with a big bet on AI.

The CEO is focused on cutting the energy giant’s costs and making savvy acquisitions.