Power Entrepreneur: Jyotsna Suri

The pragmatic hotel heiress who owns and runs the Lalit chain of five-star hotels, Dr Jyotsna Suri is the new vice-president of the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). After her husband’s sudden death, she took charge of what was then a modest-size outfit of seven hotels branded The Grand and expanded into a chain of 11 luxury properties. The philanthropist is also a patron of arts and takes pride in personally selecting artworks for the group’s various hotels.

Loves: Her grandchildren and gulab jamuns are her two greatest loves.

Interested in: Arts and reading, but her schedule doesn’t allow her the time to read.

Workaholic: ‘I don’t go home unless my work for the day is over even if it means that I work longer than prescribed.’

Entrepreneur’s motto: ‘Never say no to anything.’

Tough moments: When she has to challenge people’s pre-conceived notions of a woman chairperson and managing director.

Time management: ‘If one has the passion, commitment and determination, time can always be and must be found. I have always been able to multi task.’

The prerequisites of leadership: A clear vision and the ability to lead the team towards achieving it. One should be able to overcome adversities and guide the organisation through bad times.