[jacquesm]

But which multi-billion dollar giant would go for an in-experienced CEO?

Running a department of a large company is not the same as being CEO of even a much smaller one.

I figure the only reason she was given a shot was that the Yahoo! board hoped the Google magic had somehow rubbed off on Mayer and that that alone would make the difference. Other than that I don't see what would have gotten her a CEO spot, especially not in a growing company at the multi-billion $ level.

Yahoo! did not have that much to lose at that point in time.

[wwalser]

The person above you didn't say CEO. They said exec.

If she had stayed at Google and had some equity comp she would have netted more money. Absolutely.