Ms Jayshree Venkatraman, Chairperson, Amco Batteries Ltd, passed away in Chennai today, after a brief illness.

She was 49. She is survived by her husband Mr Murali Venkatraman, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, WS Industries, and one son. Her sister is Ms Mallika Srinivasan, Chairperson, TAFE.

Born on October 25, 1962, Ms Venkatraman, a daughter of the late A. Sivasailam, took over as the Chairperson of Amco Batteries of the Amalgamations Group in March, after the demise of her father earlier this year. She was also the Whole-time Director of TAFE Access Ltd, a subsidiary of TAFE.

She began her career over 25 years ago in Amco Batteries as Executive Assistant to the CEO, and went on to lead the marketing and export functions. In 1993, she was elevated to the post of Associate Vice-President. She was then took over as Vice-President and then joined the Board of AMCO in 2006. Ms Venkatraman, who took an active interest in promoting industry, served as the President of the Madras Management Association in 2008-09.

During her tenure, the MMA expanded its presence with a new chapter in Puducherry, and existing chapters were strengthened.

She also headed the Women Managers Forum and the Family Business Forum in MMA. Ms Venkatraman was instrumental in promoting MMA as a dynamic organisation and garnered the support of the corporate sector, said a spokesperson of MMA.

She has to her credit several academic distinctions and awards. She graduated as a rank holder in BA, was awarded the first place for her Master's Thesis in Business Economics for MA and distinction in MBA from International Institute of Management (IMI), New Delhi.