Chairman and CEO, Mattel

If you didn’t know he was one of the titans of industry, you’d think Robert Eckert was just a down-to-earth Midwesterner from Elmhurst, Illinois. He comes across as someone’s favorite next-door neighbor – genial, laid back, soft spoken, yet solid and exuding a warmth of spirit that draws you to him. He may be head of the world’s largest toy maker, but you think to yourself – this is a guy I could trust.

And in these disheartening times when we see more and more evidence of untrustworthy behavior from politicians, the news media, companies and their top executives, it ignites a flickering light of hope to hear words like “truth,” “honesty” and “integrity” spoken with heartfelt sincerity from this humble Midwesterner.