Debra Sandler considers her job a blessing. She is worldwide president for McNeil Nutritionals, L.L.C., a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary that offers consumers nutritionally based products like Splenda, an artificial sweetener that can be used in the battle against obesity and diabetes.

Success depends on relationships and a commitment to learning

Joy Wallace describes herself as an eternal optimist – optimistic enough to take on the challenges that come with breaking out on your own. Eleven years ago the 56-year-old Dallas native went from being an executive at Pizza Hut to an entrepreneur, when she launched J.O.Y. Foods.