Indra Nooyi was born in Chennai, India, in 1955. Despite her father's initial skepticism about her education, Nooyi excelled in school and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in physics, chemistry, and mathematics from Madras Christian College in 1976. She then earned a master's degree in business administration from the Indian Institute of Management in Calcutta in 1978.

In 1978, Nooyi moved to the United States to attend graduate school at Yale University, where she earned a master's degree in public and private management. After graduating, she started her career at the Boston Consulting Group before joining Motorola in 1980.

Nooyi quickly rose through the ranks at Motorola, where she worked for more than a decade before joining Asea Brown Boveri, a Swiss-based industrial automation company. In 1994, Nooyi joined PepsiCo as the Chief Strategist, where she was responsible for developing the company's corporate strategy and guiding its global expansion.

Nooyi's leadership skills and business acumen were quickly recognized at PepsiCo, and she was promoted to various senior roles over the years, including President and Chief Financial Officer. In 2006, she was appointed CEO of PepsiCo, becoming the first woman and person of color to lead the company.

As CEO, Nooyi was known for her innovative and forward-thinking leadership style, which emphasized the importance of corporate responsibility, sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. She led the company through a period of transformation, shifting its focus towards healthier products and expanding its global footprint.

Under Nooyi's leadership, PepsiCo acquired several companies, including Tropicana and Quaker Oats, and launched successful products such as Gatorade's G2 and Pepsi Max. Nooyi also placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, launching initiatives to reduce the company's environmental footprint and increase its use of renewable energy sources.

Nooyi stepped down as CEO in 2018 after 12 years at the helm but continued to serve as the Chair of PepsiCo's Board of Directors until 2019. Throughout her career, she has received numerous awards and recognition for her leadership and contributions to business and society.

Nooyi's success story is a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and breaking through barriers. As a woman and an immigrant, she faced significant challenges in the business world, but through her visionary leadership and dedication, she shattered the glass ceiling and paved the way for future generations of leaders.