Kirthiga Reddy's role model: her mother

Facebook India's MD Kirthiga Reddy is passionate about promoting and supporting women leadership at work. At the workplace, she looks up to her mentor, Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook, who quite literally authored the lean in movement.

At home, it's her mother. "My mom has not finished her high school because when she was in sixth-seventh grade, her parents said, 'You know enough math to do your laundry and grocery bills, you don't need to study further.' Then she has two girls — both with postgraduate degrees and successful careers. It is hugely inspiring to see what she has done," says Reddy, speaking on the sidelines of a FICCI Ladies Organisation event.

It also gave Reddy a sense of responsibility. "In one generation, so much has changed. From my mom not finishing high school to me having postgraduate degrees and being managing director of Facebook in India. It gives me a sense of how much of a better place I need to leave this for the next generation."