by Dawn Papandrea
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Power Couples:
Andrea Jung, CEO of Avon Products and Michael Gould, CEO of Bloomingdales
So what does it take to become one of the most powerful females in the biz world? Andrea Jung, the Chinese-American CEO of Avon, started out by graduating magna cum laude from Princeton University before her corporate climb to the top. And she shares the view with her husband Michael Gould, CEO of Bloomingdales. Gould earned his undergraduate and master's degrees in business at Columbia University.
Bill and Melinda Gates
Bill and Melinda Gates are known for their vast amount of wealth, but recently, thanks to their Time 2005 Persons of the Year honors, the world learned just how much of it they bring to others.
While Bill himself has no college degree to cash in (he left Harvard University in his junior year to start Microsoft), as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with his wife, he's at the head of the class in philanthropy. He's also written two books for which the proceeds are donated to support technology in education.
Besides, Melinda's diplomas - a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics from Duke University in 1986 and a master's in business administration from Duke's Fuqua School of Business in 1987 - add a few extra degrees of degree power.
Media Moguls:
Richard D. Parsons, Chairman and CEO of Time Warner
Whether you enjoy watching films, television, cable, or reading, there's a good possibility that Richard D. Parsons has had a hand in your entertainment options. That's because he's the current chairman and CEO of Time Warner Inc., and is ranked among the top CEOs in the entertainment industry for improving the company's returns.
Wonder if he ever thought he'd be in this position when he studied at the University of Hawaii, and received legal training at Union University's Albany Law School?
Oprah Winfrey
Is it any wonder that Oprah majored in speech and performing arts at Tennessee State University, to earn a bachelor's degree in 1976? That schooling laid the groundwork for her rise to the top of the media world, from her talk show and Angel Network, to her book club and production company, to her magazine and Web site.
Tech Titans:
Kevin B. Rollins, President and CEO of Dell
When Michael Dell stepped down as CEO of the massive computer company in 2004, the company knew it needed strong leadership to succeed its founder. Kevin B. Rollins, who'd been Dell's right-hand man for years, stepped in, and has been leading the company to bring in billions ever since. His master's in business administration and bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University might have helped him get there.
Dr. Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Google
Can you go more than an hour on the Internet without Googling something? Probably not, which is why Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin needed to recruit a big brain to run their company. The answer? Eric Schmidt, who formerly worked for Novell, had lots of technological prowess to bring to offer, including a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University, and a master's and Ph.D. in computer science from the University of California-Berkeley.
Real Estate Giants:
Steve Wynn, President and CEO of Wynn Resorts
Before he rolled the dice on a Las Vegas casino empire, Steve Wynn studied at the University of Pennsylvania. Since then, he built a company, Mirage Resorts, Inc., and sold it to MGM Grand Inc. in 2000. That capital helped him build a new resort, the Wynn Las Vegas, in 2005.
Donald Trump, founder and CEO of the Trump Organization
So where does Donald Trump get off saying, "You're Fired" to whomever he feels like? For starters, his educational background consists of a bachelor's degree in economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; his buildings and casinos are a household name; and he's the host of a successful reality TV show. It's hard to trump Trump!
Franchise Leaders:
Greg Brenneman, Chairman and CEO of Burger King Corporation
Greg Brenneman certainly has it "his way" as the CEO of Burger King. And why shouldn't he? Since Brenneman joined the company in August 2004 and was appointed chairman in February 2005, the MBA with Harvard Business School distinction has led the company to lots of positive turnarounds, including reduced costs and bigger sales. Yum!
Doug Ducey, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Cold Stone Creamery
It's the ice cream everyone's been talking about lately, as new franchises are popping up all over. At the helm of the frozen phenom known as Cold Stone Creamery is Doug Ducey, a 1986 finance graduate of the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, where he was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 2004. His business know-how has helped bring decadent desserts to your neighborhood - thanks, Doug!
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