When a woman earns a dollar, the payback is higher. She'll invest in her children, in their education, health care, and basic needs. The impact of a woman's role in the economy benefits society at large.

Talent is the No. 1 priority for a CEO. You think it's about vision and strategy, but you have to get the right people first.

The product is second to managing the people.

I can only have dinner with my girlfriends once a month instead of once a week.

I feel like I'm part of history being made. I leave Apple board meetings thinking, 'I've got to do a better job.'

There are pros and cons of experience. A con is that you can't look at the business with a fresh pair of eyes and as objectively as if you were a new CEO. Fire yourself on a Friday night and come in on Monday morning as if a search firm put you there as a turn-around leader. Can you be objective and make the bold change?

Avon is a unique place to work; we've got family-friendly policies. We have more senior women in high-level management than any other company; 46 percent of our officers are women.