Hema Hattangady, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce, with the tenth rank in Karnataka University. She did her post-graduation in management from the Indian Institute of Management Kolkata in 1987. She also has a post-graduate diploma in French from Karnataka University. She started her career as Client Service Executive at Bangalore advertising firm Adwit India. She became General Manager in two years heading New Delhi and Bangalore branches, adding high profile and long-term clients.