With last night’s premiere of Celebrity Apprentice 2 (Fare thee well, Andrew “Dice” Clay. We’ll miss all the leather.) I started thinking about who I’d hire as my own apprentice and why they’d make better-or-just-as-good business partners than the current cast candidates.  So in no particular order, I give you my top 10 list:

• Tina Fey – The “30 Rock” creator and Second City alum has the razor-sharp wit and improvisational skills that are just as big of an asset in the business world as they are on stage.
• Malcolm Gladwell – Simply because I’d read anything from the best-selling author of Blink, The Tipping Point and Outliers – including a fax cover sheet.
• Sarah Vowell – Ditto for this best-selling author, This American Life contributor and self-professed history buff. And really, you never know when random John Wilkes Booth trivia will come in handy.
• Lisa Ling – Not only could the National Geographic Explorer host bring a diverse range of experiences and ideas to the table, thanks to her extensive travels, but with a personal mission to “raise consciousness about issues and stories that don’t always make the headlines,” she could help any company increase and stay true to its social responsibility.
• Paula Deen – The Food Network chef no doubt has business acumen – she founded the renowned Lady and Sons restaurant in her home state of Georgia. Plus, her generous use of fat- and calorie-laden ingredients shows that she’s not one to skimp if it means delivering less than the best (tasting) offerings. And I guess it wouldn’t suck to have her around for the next company potluck, either.
• Madonna – Whatever your opinion of her talent, there’s no denying her innovation, business-savvy, and ability to market herself. How else could she have maintained pop culture relevance for the past 25 years?
• Tim Gunn – Sure, I’d probably need to keep a dictionary on hand for our one-on-ones, but I could rest assured knowing Bravo’s “Project Runway” star and “Guide to Style” host would never deliver anything but the highest-quality products to his clients and customers. Bonus: I’ll have the best-dressed office in town.
• Rodney Yee – The renowned yoga guru could lead the team in regular hatha sessions to reduce stress, improve concentration, and increase productivity, among other potential benefits.
• Mike Tomlin – Talk about a whiz kid: On February 1, Tomlin became the youngest head coach to win a Super Bowl. I’d be willing to bet the hard work and team-building skills that led to his success on the field would bode well for him in the business world, as well.
• Oprah – Take it from Dr. Phil, Barack Obama and half of the past decade’s New York Times‘ best-selling authors: You always always want Oprah on your team. (Just make sure you also have a spot open for Gayle.)

Who’s on your list?