Most fulfilling work accomplishments: Some of the changes in the past four years include an SAP implementation and the acquisition and integration of Seagram and Chalone Wine Group Ltd., outsourcing of all the infrastructure and SAP support. "And, after that, we've got extremely high morale," she says. "There's low attrition in the organization. I have this dedicated, energized team, and they really, truly deliver these extraordinary results."

Single worst management moment: Getting in front of the organization to talk about downsizing. "That was probably the toughest, even though it was the absolute right thing to do," Carlini says. The North American organization made the decision to find money to reinvest in advertising and promotion. "I went back to look at what I could do to reduce the organization and then give back to our business," she says. "With the consolidation into headquarters, I was able to significantly reduce costs and give that back to our marketing department. There was no other way, when we looked at it, to reduce costs quickly. It's very tough when you're dealing with people's livelihoods and their families."

Leadership style, in three words: People-focused. Authentic. Results-oriented.

Most admired IT leader: Doreen Wright, CIO at Campbell Soup Co. "She's really a courageous leader. She can move mountains for her organization. But what I most admire about her is her ability to do that and also have a work/life balance. Her family comes first."

Best advice for up-and-coming IT leaders: Be true to yourself. Be authentic. "If you're not, your people are going to see right through you," Carlini notes. "Understand the business -- how it works and what drives it. Spend a lot of time building relationships both internally with your IT and business colleagues as well as externally in the industry. And networking is extremely important. "You need to not just be ready for change; you need to embrace it because there's so much change in this industry," she says.