Manisha Girotra, 

Transitioning the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS)’s India operations from an investment bank to a commercial one kept Girotra busy for the most part of the last year. But that hasn’t stopped her from doing what she loves most: playing deal maker. The two most talked-about deals she was involved in were Hindalco’s buyout of Novelis and Bharti’s acquisition of Zain. In the last year, UBS India also advised Blackstone on Intelenet’s sale to Serco for $750 million, Genpact’s buyout of Headstrong Corporation, and Vodafone Essar on its $5 billion put option. The Delhi School of Economics alumna believes her middleclass upbringing has instilled the values of hard work and discipline. Outside the boardroom, she is known for her golfing handicap of 14.