IMPACT’s 12th anniversary issue, THE INSPIRATION ISSUE, has been well received by the industry. Carrying the theme forward, we profile five women who balance their careers and personal lives, as well as other interests in a commendable way, while taking challenges head on and winning in their respective fields
NADIA CHAUHAN
Joint Managing Director & CMO, Parle Agro
Nadia Chauhan, Joint Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer of Parle Agro, is on a mission - that of making Parle Agro the number one Food & Beverage company in the country. Having joined the company in 2003 as part of the brand’s marketing team, Nadia has come a long way. She initiated the make-over of Frooti and Appy Fizz, two of the biggest brands under the Parle Agro portfolio in the last two years. Both the brands are today a much peppier and better-looking version of their former avatars.
Work-life balance: Despite being a true professional, Nadia gives a lot of importance to work-life balance. The Parle Agro office works from 8.30 am to 5 pm because after that, according to her, is time that one should spend with family or for doing things other than work. We ask Nadia about her interests and she says, “Oh I have so many of them! But some of the biggest motivators for me are my family, travelling and exploring different kinds of cuisines.” Some of her hobbies include horse-riding and playing different kinds of water sports. She also likes dabbling in voluntary work whenever possible, and most of the activities revolve around children and animals.
Multi-tasking: Nadia says, “Between work, kids, family and my own self, it involves a lot of balancing. I struggled initially but you always find an equilibrium that works. I’m also very fortunate to have an amazing support system that has really helped me strike this balance efficiently.”
Alternative career: “I could have many options. But there’s really no other career I would want to pursue than the one I’m pursuing now!” Nadia affirms.
Biggest achievement: “I’d like to answer this question in the year 2030,” says Nadia Chauhan with a smile!
CHARULATA RAVIKUMAR
CEO, SapientNitro & Razorfish, India
In a career spanning 25 years, Charulata Ravikumar has worked with Lowe, Bates, JWT and co-created CoffeeKettle.in, written columns for the Indian Express and has most recently been appointed the CEO of SapientNitro, in addition to heading Razorfish, India. She has experience of working across 20 countries handling diverse responsibilities. Charulata moderates business panel discussions and anchors high profile industry forums and has been a jury member at several reputed award functions.
Hobbies: “Being curious, I take up a new skill or hobby every year. In the last few years, it has been horse-riding and art, this year it is music. I strive to surprise myself every day. Everything new amazes me. I love cooking and it is one of my big passions -- a million exciting ways to vegetarianism. Travel is my big high – love train travels to inner India,” she says.
Voluntary work: “I teach life skills to graduates from financially less privileged segments and traditional backgrounds to help them move from their college life to adapt to the new working life where they otherwise may lose out on opportunities due to lack of social or corporate finesse. I am a corporate leadership skills coach and mentor for senior executives too,” says Charulata.
Multi-tasking: “I am also a 100% Mom and I love it,” declares Charulata. “I am part of everything my son does – his studies, sports, music, interests, friends, his joys, sorrows et al. One of the most challenging times in my career was when I took my little son with me to office every day until he learnt to crawl - attended meetings, pitches and all with him next to me.”
Achievements: Charulata is the recipient of leadership awards at various forums, and named a Linkedin Power profile in 2015 and 2016. She has to her credit the building up of ‘Product of the Year’, a survey on retail product innovation.
NISHA NARAYANAN
COO, Red FM
Nisha Narayanan is an influential name in the Radio fraternity and is currently the COO of the leading FM network Red FM. Kick-starting her career as an RJ, to launching new radio stations, to leading production, programming and marketing while being involved in India’s biggest brand re-launch of Red FM from S-FM, her contribution to the Radio industry is exemplary and inspiring. Nisha has played a significant role in building Red FM across the country, donning the hat of an impeccable leader. She regards Radio as her first love.
Hobbies: In her leisure time, Nisha loves to travel and experience enriching chronicles.
Leadership: She strongly believes that as a leader, one should keep innovating, seek and look around for new ideas and perspectives which will always help in growing the business. Coming from a defence background, Nisha in her initial days was planning a career in the financial sector but as destiny would have it, she happened to audition for the position of an RJ at All India Radio and the rest is history.
Motto in life: Nisha says, “Keep it real, love what you do and be consistent with your madness and zeal! Success and power are transient; keeping a great attitude is what keeps me motivated.” Nisha unleashes the power of a strong and fearless woman.
LARA BALSARA VAJIFDAR
Executive Director, Madison World
Lara Balsara Vajifdar joined Madison 12 years ago as a trainee in the Creative Unit and then took charge of diversification in Madison World. She also plays a role at the organizational level, helping various Madison units in new business development and oversees HR, amongst other things. A regular speaker at several conferences, Lara has featured in IMPACT’s list of 50 Most Influential Women since its inception. Lara is a new mother to her 10-month-old daughter Kaira.
Hobbies: A chocolate, coffee and white wine lover, Lara has passion for photography and loves to take photographs of nature, architecture and abstracts. “I really do love photography and staying fit and healthy - doing yoga and working out. Currently, I am trying to be a good mother and a role model to my 10-month-old daughter,” says Lara. “A few months ago, we had a session by V Chandramouli (ex MD of Mondelez) called ‘Tee off with Mouli’, and one of things he said has stuck in my mind - your hobby should be something that you can measure and improve. I have recently started cycling (and I haven’t cycled in the last 30 years!), right now I can do about 12 km in 40 minutes, no great achievement, but am working on improving my distance in a shorter time.”
Multi-tasking: According to Lara, life is all about multi-tasking, especially now that she has a baby. “Earlier, I had the luxury of putting work above everything else, but now I leave work a little early to maximize my time with my daughter when she is awake. Then I catch up on work later in the night, when she is asleep,” she says.
Biggest achievement: “My achievements are more internal to improving Madison and not a real impact to the industry. But as they say, miles to go before I sleep!” the humble Lara says.
TISTA SEN
Sr. VP & National Creative Director, J Walter Thompson India
Tista Sen has contributed to making the Mumbai office of J Walter Thompson India the most creative branch in the JWT network in Asia. She is ranked among the 20 most creative persons in Asia and was part of the jury for the inaugural Glass Lions at Cannes. Witty and extremely articulate, Tista has won several awards at local and international forums.
Interests: “I am a student of life. I am curious to the point of being nosy about what makes people tick. I am a voracious reader and need to read for at least an hour every night to unwind. I am a great cook and love rustling up a meal for family and friends. My kids would add that I’m interested in Candy Crush. Mind-numbing but addictive, and very useful during telecons,” reveals Tista.
Multi-tasking: “Every woman multi-tasks, at home or work or both. I love it that we have cellphones and cameras and WhatsApp. I can literally stalk my children and my team. And I do it with impunity. If you are passionate and interested, you can multi-multi-and multi-task. I used to keep a copy of my kids text books in my room when they were younger so I could catch up on their studies even during work, and I often open my laptop after dinner at home to fix a script for the next day,” Tista says.
Fun@work: Tista says, “I am a great believer in having fun first. Better work and better ideas follow. The more stressful the project, the more pressing the deadline, the more imperative it is to keep spirits up. Team-work is a cliché but forms the basis of any job I do. I am sensitive to women’s issues and take care to avoid stereotyping women in our communication.”
Alternative career: “People fascinate me and I guess anything to do with humanity would be where I would be most comfortable. Maybe Amnesty International. Is anybody reading this?” quips Tista.
