Age: 53
Occupation: President, Standard & Poor's
When he became S&P's president in September, Peterson was tasked with restoring the image of a company viewed by critics as iconic of the unmonitored, conflict-riven ratings referees in the rigged global finance game. It was S&P that cut the U.S.'s credit rating in August 2011 and downgraded nine euro-zone countries — after having for years given top marks to banks that issued toxic financial products. With the European Union threatening to create its own evaluation agency, Peterson's management could shape the entire sector's future.