Eva Chen Battles the Hackers

Eva Yi-Hwa Chen shows no mercy when she suits up for fencing and thrusts at an opponent in one of her favorite sports. She has been even fiercer when it comes to fighting hackers throughout 25 years in the computer security industry.

The 54-year-old is a cofounder and CEO of Trend Micro, the number three antivirus software firm worldwide and the biggest in Asia. In her eight years at the top Chen has doubled sales, to $1.2 billion in 2012.

In a hacker-cum-enforcer culture that’s impressive for someone who doesn’t have a background in engineering or programming, and who didn’t want the job at first. In a recent interview in Macau, where she would meet with her sales team, the self-effacing Chen says: “In the beginning I was intimidated [by the CEO role]. But I am fortunate to have a team of talent, which grows with me. So I’ve learned to be at ease and be myself.”