Category: Companies with 7,500 employees or more

Title: Executive Vice President, Human Resources, Corporate Social Responsibility and Communications

Company and Headquarters: The Gap Inc., San Francisco

Key HR Challenges: Reshaping the retail company after months of declining profits and during two CEO transitions.

Key HR Accomplishments: Sage-Gavin was an integral player in closing all Forth & Towne stores, converting Old Navy Outlet stores to Old Navy stores, eliminating 2,200 positions and closing a distribution center. She stressed transparency and dignity when dealing with employees during those tough times, and credits that approach in helping the company retain top talent.