People to Watch In International Business

By Sean Gregory

--MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY Russian Oil Magnate

The U.S. recently received its first direct oil shipment from Russia, thanks in part to Khodorkovsky, CEO of Yukos, the nation's second largest oil company. Yukos has operated for years in Europe but wants to expand its reach. At 39, Khodorkovsky has amassed a $7 billion fortune and a reputation as one of the robber barons of Russia's transition to capitalism. But he's working to clean up that image, in part by having Yukos pay dividends to shareholders and disclose more of its finances. Yukos plans to list on the New York Stock Exchange this fall.

--GAIL NAUGHTON Innovative Dean

As a graduate student in cell biology, Naughton was certain she would never work in industry and would never have children. Wrong and wrong again. In 1987 Naughton co-founded Advanced Tissue Sciences, where she developed the first temporary skin substitute based on human tissue, which has aided burn victims in North America, Europe and Africa. The Brooklyn, N.Y.-born scientist, now 46 and the mother of three, is once again breaking ground. She became the first woman biotech entrepreneur to lead a major U.S. business school when the one at San Diego State named her its dean.

--KITTY YEN Airline Pioneer

Her first job was as a clerk. Now Yen, 51, is the first woman president of Taiwan's Eva Airways--and she has reversed its fortunes. After losing $89 million in 2001, Eva has seen its stock rise 50% during the first half of this year, owing in some degree to Yen's cost cutting. She will soon increase weekly flights between Taiwan and Hong Kong from 16 to 40.

--STRAUSS ZELNICK Cycling Promoter

The former chief of BMG Entertainment, Zelnick, 45, has turned his energies to cycling. In a bid to make the sport as popular in the U.S. as in Europe, his firm, ZelnickMedia, purchased a stake in Threshold, which produces international races. Threshold's first New York City race, in early August, will feature Lance Armstrong.

--NAINA LAL KIDWAI Rainmaker

The head of Morgan Stanley's investment-banking efforts in India, Kidwai, 45, recently guided that country's fastest-growing telecommunications company, Bharti Tele-Ventures, through its IPO. Her unit also managed an IPO for software provider i-flex solutions at the height of fears of an India-Pakistan war. When she needs to unwind, which is often, Kidwai loves to hike the Himalayan foothills.