VP, corporate communications and public affairs, GE 
As the communications head at GE, Gary Sheffer has been instrumental in making the multinational conglomerate more transparent to stakeholders. During the peak of the financial crisis in 2008, when GE and other corporations were criticized for their lack of openness, Sheffer led efforts to create clearer messages about GE Capital for analysts and investors.

GE has faced more communications challenges since then, such as when the company came under fire for paying ...