Here is an intriguing piece of trivia: long before Silicon Valley made “product” a boardroom obsession, the foundations of product management were already taking shape. In 1931, Neil H.

McElroy, a young manager at Procter & Gamble, wrote an internal memo proposing the “Brand Man”: one person dedicated to a single brand, responsible for understanding customers, testing ideas in the field, and improving performance.

The role was rooted in marketing rather than product development, but the idea of one owner for a brand’s success would eventually influence modern product management.

Over the decades, that simple idea has evolved into a far broader mandate, spanning technology, strategy, design and business leadership. Today’s product leader connects customer insight with organisational ambition, makes critical choices, aligns diverse teams and cultivates a culture of experimentation, learning and relearning.

It is this evolving role and its growing significance that we explore in our latest edition, 10 Most Inspiring Product Leaders in India 2026. We spotlight product leaders raising the bar across their respective domains with expertise and confidence. Their journeys offer a glimpse into the thinking, experiences and choices that shape those entrusted with turning ideas into impact.

Alongside these inspiring profiles, this edition explores how India's growth story should match global income benchmarks and how AI is turning consumer data into product ideas, reshaping how businesses understand demand and innovate.

With more compelling stories and insightful perspectives, this edition brings together ideas and leadership journeys that are shaping businesses today, while inviting us to reflect on how product thinking is evolving alongside the world around us.