Most Powerful Women in Business 2013

Most Powerful Women in Business 2013

• 1/33

VINITA BALIMD, Britannia IndustriesBritannia's managing director this year has been moved to 'Hall of Fame'(Reserved for those who have made it to the list at least seven times). She says her travels overseas helped her understand diversity and adapt to different environments and people.

• 2/33

RENUKA RAMNATHMultiples Alternate Asset ManagementRenuka Ramnath has also been moved to the 'Hall of Fame' this year. She says: "The choice of investors and team members are the cornerstones of private equity. Those decisions were extremely deliberate."

• 3/33

RENU SUD KARNADHousing Development Finance CorporationHDFC's managing director this year moves to 'Hall of Fame'. She says being part of two decisions that changed the way the lender does business are her most memorable moments.

• 4/33

VANITHA NARAYANANManaging Director, IBM IndiaThe IBM India chief began as a trainee in the company and is one of a handful of women heading a technolgy company in India.ON THE GLASS CEILINGI have certainly not felt it. But we cannot declare victory and women should continue to remain focused

• 5/33

PALLAVI SHROFFSenior Partner, Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & CoShe has represented a roster of corporate giants, and actively backs other women in her profession.ON THE GLASS CEILINGI have probably been lucky. But not everyone supports a woman who is going up the ladder. A number of organisations do not support females. It is a reality, though it is sad.

• 6/33

SHUBHALAKSHMI PANSE Managing Director, Allahabad Bank Raised to be independent, Allahabad Bank's chairman says her parents' message to her was 'You can do it'.ON THE GLASS CEILINGBeing a woman was not an issue - until I became general manager. Women are then looked down upon. Not much is expected of them.

• 7/33

VINITA SINGHANIAManaging Director, Jk Lakshmi CementSinghania found her experience as a housewife helped her when she began to run a cement business.ON THE GLASS CEILINGWomen are moving shoulder to shoulder with men. women sarpanches are making themselves heard even with ghoonghats on

• 8/33

PRIYA NAIRVice President, Detergents, HULShe has made her mark with out-of-the-box business solutions.I, ME, MYSELFEnergetic, focused, passionate, risk taker with unwavering resolve

• 9/33

ANJALI BANSALManaging Director, Spencerstuart IndiaShe also mentors proficient women executives for board roles.ON THE GLASS CEILINGIt does exist but we cannot talk about a gender-related glass ceiling alone. It is also relevant to nationality and ethnicity.

• 10/33

SWARUPA SANYAL Head Of Strategy And Corporate Initiatives, GenpactSwarupa Sanyal is implementing a blueprint that seeks to transform India's largest BPO firm into a leaner, bigger and more profitable company.I, ME, MYSELFTo me it's normal to be a part of the family where a woman is working, so I suspect that is my biggest advantage.

• 11/33

SAVITA MAHAJAN Deputy Dean, ISB The deputy dean of ISB says nurturing a project from scratch excites her.ON THE GLASS CEILINGIt is not a myth. Growth opportunities for women are still determined by men. It is changing, but slowly.

• 12/33

NISHI VASUDEVADirector (Marketing), HPCL The only full-time woman director of an oil PSU says there is no glass ceilingOn work: Do not expect any positive differentiation as a woman. If the job requires 20 days' travel in a month, be ready.

• 13/33

RITU DALMIACo-Founder, Riga FoodLife hasn't always been a cakewalk for this pioneer of Italian food in India.I, ME, MYSELFI am a control freak. I think it is important to pay attention to detail.

• 14/33

SUMITHRA GOMATAMSenior Vice President, CognizantGomatam's trained musical ear has helped hone her business skills. ON THE GLASS CEILINGIt is a myth. How much of yourself you want to give determines how far you can go.

• 15/33

ASHA GUPTAManaging Director, Tupperware IndiaThe Tupperware India chief has nurtured several women entrepreneurs.ON THE GLASS CEILINGIt is a disappearing ceiling. We have ample examples of women who have broken it.

• 16/33

SHANTI EKAMBARAMPresident, Corporate & Investment Banking, Kotak Mahindra BankBIGGEST ADVANTAGE OF BEING AN MPWIt helps me reach out and fulfil dreams for a larger good

• 17/33

NINA LATH GUPTAManaging Director, NFDCAfter its glory days in the 1970s and early 1980s, National Film Development Corporation became nearly defunct. Nina Lath Gupta gave it a new lease of lifeI, ME, MYSELFI love my work... each task is different, like each new film

• 18/33

MADHURIMA MUKHERJEEPartner, Luthra & Luthra Law OfficesShe has made her mark as a capital market lawyer, but is not ready to rest on her laurels.Work is: My life. If I resolve a complex legal issue, after all these years, i still get a heady feeling. Quite like a kid with her first toy.

• 19/33

ANUPAMA AHLUWALIAVice President, Marketing, India And South West Asia, The Coca-Cola CompanyShe has helped Coca-Cola India steal a march over arch rival PepsiCo.ON THE GLASS CEILINGIf you think it is a ceiling, then it is a reality. The question is, why do you see it as a ceiling? It's about your own perception. Otherwise the sky is the limit.

• 20/33

KIRTHIGA REDDYShe was Facebook's first employee in India and set up its India operations. An MBA from Stanford University, she is also Vice Chairman of the Internet and Mobile Association of IndiaON THE GLASS CEILING:In my view, the glass ceiling is a myth. However, it is generally much harder for women to get to the same role/responsibility as men  I firmly believe that women can aspire to any role they want to. Each individual has the power to make more of an impact than he or she thinks possible. As a society, we need more women to aspire to top roles and make the path easier for others to come

• 21/33

ARCHANA HINGORANIWith economic and political conditions deteriorating rapidly, Archana Hingorani, CEO and Executive Director, IL&FS Investment Managers Ltd, has helped steer the fund to focus its investments on new emerging opportunities, as well as appropriate follow-ons in existing investee companies.ON THE GLASS CEILING: Glass ceiling does not exist in India Inc. As one gets into senior management positions it's not about the glass ceiling that one has to worry about but the lack of mentorship. You need people to guide you and take you to the next level

• 22/33

ARUNA JAYANTHIUnder CEO Aruna Jayanthi, Capgemini India saw a significant revenue increase of more than 16 per cent in 2012 and added nearly 8,000 people at a time when many companies slowed hiring because of the poor macro-economic climate.WORK IS: Results and success

• 23/33

CHITRA RAMKRISHNAIn April this year, Chitra Ramkrishna, 50, who has been with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) since its inception in 1994, became its first woman Managing Director and CEO, indeed the first such at any Indian exchange.ON THE GLASS CEILING:Women have known about glass ceilings in the Executive suite and throughout all levels of the workforce. The barriers exist at all levels of an organisation and affect people, both men and women at different levels in various industries. So, women have as much opportunity to immerse themselves in work, work with commitment, bring in their unique strengths  and move up the corporate ladder. We have seen enough examples of that in India Inc. and I think we should celebrate those successes instead of flogging the glass ceiling issue

• 24/33

KAKU NAKHATEIn a dismal economic climate where everyone is being cautious, Kaku Nakhate, President and Country Head India, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, talks about expanding. Unwilling to follow the herd, all the more over the past year, Nakhate, 47, is now looking at just the biggest deals.

• 25/33

NEHA KIRPALWhen Neha Kirpal, 33, started the India Art Fair - today the world's second-largest art fair in terms of footfalls - in 2008, it had only 34 galleries, 10,000 visitors from just two countries and was held in a 3,000 sq. metre venue. The 2013 edition had 105 galleries, 90,000 visitors from 24 countries and was held at a vast 21,000 sq. metre venue.I, Me, MYSELF: A self- starter with a belief that most things are possible

• 26/33

ZARIN DARUWALAPresident, Wholesale Banking, ICICI BankThere are top industrialists consulting her all the time, on every financial matter from investing to restructuring. Away from her job, she loves to read, especially on flights. BIGGEST ADVANTAGE OF BEING AN MPWEven people outside the finance world recognise me

• 27/33

TANYA DUBASHIn 2006 the Godrej Group, under the leadership of Executive Director and Chief Brand Officer Tanya Dubash, kicked off an ambitious brand valuation exercise.

• 28/33

LEENA NAIRSenior VP, Leadership and Organisation Development, UnileverShe has the distinction of being the first woman at HUL to deal with employee relations in a factory. ON THE GLASS CEILING: It's not a ceiling. It's like a game of snakes and ladders. It's up to the women to navigate and find a way through the barriers in their career and move ahead. The snakes can vary - it could be work-life balance being affected or organisations inherently unfriendly to women. It is not just about dealing with men who perceive women as a threat.

• 29/33

ROOPA KUDVAMD and CEO, CRISILThe challenge for Kudva remains that of "the difficult economic scenario and managing international expansion" during it. In her spare time, she likes reading biographies and autobiographies.BIGGEST ADVANTAGE OF BEING AN MPWIt enables me to make a difference -- whether it is bringing transparency to markets, helping small enterprises improve their access to funding, or running financial literacy initiatives in North-East India through our Pragati programme

• 30/33

VISHAKHA MULYEMD and CEO, ICICI Venture Funds Management CompanyShe finds raising capital in the post-Lehman world "tough yet truly satisfying" and insists that private equity investment "is a long-term game".ON THE GLASS CEILING: Unfortunately yes, glass ceiling is a reality in India. That's the feeling one gets while interacting with women across sectors and segments. But with more women coming into the workforce, gradually things should change for the better   

• 31/33

VEDIKA BHANDARKARVice Chairman and Head of Investment Banking, Credit SuisseIn the last 18 months, Bhandarkar, 45, has been involved in some 16 deals, the most important being the one where she helped Thomas Cook sell its India business.I, ME, MYSELF:I am a person with integrity who holds high ethical standards. I'm also someone with high expectations who strive in every aspect in life  

• 32/33

AISHA DE SEQUEIRACo-Country Head and Head of Investment Banking, Morgan StanleyWhile last year she was busy advising domestic clients such as the Vedanta Group on restructuring, this year she has been deeply involved in M&A advisory. She feels that despite the current volatility, India is strategic and has become important for global corporations. BIGGEST ADVANTAGE OF BEING AN MPWIt provides you with a platform to influence change

• 33/33

VINITA GUPTA"A good year" is how Vinita Gupta, Group President and CEO at Lupin Pharmaceuticals, describes her company's performance at a time when unsettling news was the key takeaway for pharma companies.