18. Helena E. Williams

As the president of the MTA LIRR, Williams has her work cut out for her. However, she is well qualified for the position, having run the Long Island Bus division of the MTA and held positions in New York City and Nassau County governments. Williams, the first female president of the LIRR, is dedicated to providing a safer and happier ride on the nation’s busiest commuter rail system. During her five-year tenure as president of Long Island Bus, Williams took an eco-friendly approach, converting the diesel-motorized fleet to natural gas. Williams’ innovation did not stop there: She implemented the MetroCard, initiated new paratransit service and developed an employee availability program that dramatically cut costs. As deputy county executive under Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, she helped in the turnaround of the county’s finances.