Sangeeta Talwar, 53, Executive Director, Tata Tea

These days Sangeeta Talwar is on a flight every other day globalising, integrating, doing new things as her company goes through its biggest ever transformation exercise. And even through all this, she makes the time to keep the Jaago Re campaign bubbling. Launched in 2007 as a campaign to project the brand, not merely as a wake-up brew but as a medium of social awakening, Jaago Re has gained immense traction under Talwar. Last year, the campaign was to get people to vote in the elections. This year's theme is corruption, and Talwar plans some big events on December 9, globally observed as the Anti-Corruption Day.

The most visible woman in the Tata Group and one of the very few woman executive directors in India Inc., this IIM-C alumnus cherishes her 20-year bonding with Nestle India and a two-year stint, later, with Mattel, the world's largest toy company. At Nestle, she built her reputation as a tough marketer Maggi was launched in her watch. Leaving it was the most difficult decision she ever made in her career.

What does power mean to you?
The ability to contour and craft a new future.

My most memorable experience at workplace.
At a sales review meeting at Mattel in 2001, we decided to have some fun by playing with all the new toys we were going to launch. The sales managers in 30-35 years age group ran around building windows, fixing stickers, hanging curtains, delighting in their creation of the Barbie summer house. It was an amazing experience.

The turning point in my career.
My decision to leave Nestle India after 20 years of successfully launching Maggi.

New lessons learnt in 2009.
Husbands can be a great help, never underestimate their capacity in this regard. My husband actually anchors our home.

New frontiers conquered in 2009.
Helped in creating the Jaago Re campaign on corruption. And I have opened an account on Facebook! - K.R. Balasubramanyam

Resource: Business Today