The pursuits of excellence and inner soul-searching have taken Deirdre O’Brien to unchartered territories and to the pedestal Top CHRO listing. Already been serving Apple for 30 years, she defies the fundamental tenets of gender being an impediment in leading breakthrough product launches and bringing seamless services to the fore. She commands the 21st-century people-centric and people-intelligence imperatives as well as the Apple University decision-making prerogatives with an unflinching demeanor.