∑/Divergence

You do it. Your mom does it. Nearly every American does it: We google, about 7 billion times a month. And each time, its like a trip into Marissa Mayers mind. That sunny logo, blessedly spare interface and perfect list of links you get in response to a query are all pure Mayer. As vice president, search and user experience (and a 10-year veteran of Google), shes helped make the company the worlds number-one search engine, with revenues of nearly $22 billion last year. "Ive always liked simplicity," says Mayer, 34. "Its hard to tell where my aesthetic ends and Googles begins." Almost nothing gets out the door without her approval, including innovations like Gmail and Google Earth. "Its pretty hard to overstate her impact," says Google CEO Eric Schmidt. "She built the team that designs the products we all use." With a wardrobe thats strong on Oscar de la Renta and Armani, Mayer cuts a striking figure on the company campus. "When people think about computer science, they imagine people with pocket protectors and thick glasses who code all night," Mayer jokes. "I do code all night! I am the stereotype, but I also break the stereotype." Among her goals: to bring more women into technology and teach them to take chances. "Get in a bit over your head," she says. "Thats how you grow and learn and stretch yourself."