Raised in a traditional home in South India under the guidance of her mother, a powerful force in her life, Indra Nooyi - the former CEO and Chairman of PepsiCo - broke cultural norms, left the comforts of home, and traveled across the globe to study at Yale School of Management on a full scholarship at the age of 22.  Her story represents hope, possibilities, and achieving the American dream.

After a trailblazing 24-year career at PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi retired in 2019. Alongside being a remarkably successful business leader, what makes Indra Nooyi unique is her unwavering commitment to her daughters, mother, and husband, to her heritage, to the local business community, to women and mothers, and to youth.

She recently published her memoir, My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future. Generous, authoritative, and grounded in lived experience, My Life in Full is the story of an extraordinary leader’s life, a moving tribute to the relationships that created it, and a blueprint for 21st-century prosperity.

Photo: A sold out audience at the program

In her book, Indra Nooyi shares her experiences and what she learned along her journey and makes a call to action on how our society can blend work and family – and advance women.

The Connecticut Chapter of the Global organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO-CT) joined hands with India Cultural Center (ICC) of Greenwich, Milan Cultural Association of Hartford and Ascend Connecticut/Westchester Chapter to host a program ‘A Conversation with Indra Nooyi’ at The Village, in Stamford, Connecticut, USA. It was a sold-out program.

Nooyi spoke on her life from coming to the US and climbing as the first Indian CEO of a Fortune 50 company, at the same time managing her family and helping society at large. It was moderated by ICC Director Mudita Bhargava, who also serves as a Vice Chairman of Connecticut Democratic Party.

Bhargava asked a range of questions to Nooyi. On family, Nooyi said, "Family is the most important unit that exists; however, families are fragile and can be messy at times, but it is better to keep it intact."

On women's empowerment, Nooyi said, “It is very important for the women to be educated and be financially independent."

“Women are making a difference; for example, 70% of female students in High Schools are valedictorians and they get whole 1 point more in GPA, 47% of MIT students are women and more that 50% graduates are women,” Nooyi added.

On the role of technology in our lives, Nooyi said that one need to juggle priorities to balance work and families.

On mental health, Nooyi has said "There's a stigma attached to it, we deny this issue; however we should talk about mental health and support those dealing with it."

To one of the questions from the audience: What is the best advice you have received so far in your professional life, Nooyi answered: "Put your hand up for the most difficult assignment because then you'll leave a mark and you'll be remembered."

Photo: GOPIO-CT officials with former Pepsi CEO, author and speaker Indra Nooyi, from l. to r. Jayashri Chintalapudi, Secretary Prachi Narayan, Trustee Neelam Narang, Meera Banta, GOPIO Intl. Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham, Nooyi, Mangala Dongre, VP Dr. Jaya Daptardar and Exec. VP Prasad Chintalapudi

Commenting on the program, GOPIO Chairman Dr. Thomas Abraham said, “Indra Nooyi is the pride and joy of the Indian American community and a motivator for our youngsters.”

(The book Indra Nooyi - My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future is available from Amazon)