Business Leaders List 2.0
Indiaspora is excited to share our Business Leaders 2.0 List. Like our 2020 Business Leaders List, we once again shine a light on some of the most prominent leaders in business today.
While a few are widely recognized names, others may be less familiar—yet all hold key roles as CEOs, Presidents, or Board Chairs at some of the world’s largest and most influential companies.
About
The Indiaspora Government Leaders List recognizes more than 200 leaders of the Indian diaspora who have reached the pinnacles of public leadership, now serving as prime ministers, agency heads, parliamentarians, legislators, and dozens of other key roles in 15 countries around the world.
Representing the interests of more than 550 million citizens, this powerful group demonstrates the rise of the diaspora as leaders in the political and government space.
Methodology
To compile this list, Indiaspora researched government websites and other publicly available resources to compile a comprehensive list of diaspora leaders serving in the following positions:
- Heads of government and deputy heads of government
- Ministers and agency heads serving as part of a government’s cabinet
- Ambassadors* and consuls general*
- Parliamentarians and federal legislators*
- Chief justices
- Heads of central banks
- Senior civil servants*
- Additional U.S. leaders, including federal administration nominees and appointees, and state and local leaders
*Countries with a significant history of diaspora migration were included, such as Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Officers of Indian citizenship were not included because the list aims to highlight the contributions of the diaspora.
CEO, Orica
Sanjeev Gandhi
Sanjeev Gandhi is Managing Director and CEO at Orica Ltd., the world’s largest commercial explosives and mining services company. Mr Gandhi was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in April 2021, after previously holding the role of Group Executive and President, Australia Pacific and Asia. Prior to joining Orica, Sanjeev is a former Executive Director of publicly listed German Chemical company BASF SE. During his 26-year career with BASF, he had held several senior marketing, commercial and business leadership roles including as head of Asia Pacific and head of global chemicals segment (intermediates & petrochemicals).
Under his leadership, the company posted its best first‑half earnings in a decade: EBIT surged 34% to AUD 472.3 M and operating cash flow grew 29%, complemented by a 32% hike in interims dividend. Gandhi also achieved the lowest serious‑injury case rate in company history and advanced decarbonization efforts, cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by over 1 Mt CO₂.
Gandhi holds strong educational credentials with his undergraduate degree from the University of Pune in 1989 and a 1989 – 1991 Master of Business Administration – MBA in Marketing at the Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development (BVDU), Pune. With a robust skill set that includes Petrochemicals, Specialty Chemicals, Chemicals, Asia Pacific, Chemical Engineering and more, Gandhi brings extensive global experience to his leadership role at Orica. Indiaspora is proud to have Sanjeev Gandhi on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
President and CEO, ANSYS
Ajei Gopal
Dr. Ajei Gopal is President & CEO at Ansys Inc., the global leader in engineering simulation software. Ajei Gopal has served as Ansys’ president and CEO since January 2017. Under his leadership, ANSYS has seen significant growth, doubling its market capitalization by more than $8 billion in his first 18 months. Dr. Gopal has spearheaded the concept of “Pervasive Simulation,” which integrates simulation throughout the product lifecycle, driving innovation in various industries from microchips to aerospace. Ajei Gopal’s educational journey began at the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (B.Tech). He then pursued higher education at Cornell University, obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science.
Dr. Gopal began his career initially as a researcher with Bell Communications Research and later joined IBM Research, where he conducted and managed projects in distributed and clustered systems. He became a Founding Member and Chief Technology Officer of IBM’s Pervasive Computing Division. Prior to joining Ansys, Ajei was an operating partner at Silver Lake and senior VP at Hewlett-Packard. Earlier in his career, Ajei co-founded ReefEdge, a wireless LAN systems company.
Dr. Gopal has 23 granted US patents to his credit. He was elected to the IBM Academy of Technology in 1998, the same year he received the prestigious IBM Outstanding Technical Accomplishment Award. Under Dr. Gopal, ANSYS has doubled its market capitalization by more than $8 billion in his first 18 months. He is also an inventor with 23 U.S. patents and serves on the boards of various technology companies. Indiaspora is proud to have Dr. Ajei Gopal on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO, FirstSource
Ritesh Idnani
Ritesh Mohan Idnani is Managing Director and CEO at Firstsource Solutions Ltd., a Mumbai-based business process management company. He is an accomplished business leader with more than 28 years of experience in both public and private enterprises in technology and technology-enabled services. Ritesh Mohan Idnani has a Master of Business Administration Finance and Marketing from Faculty of Management Studies – University of Delhi in 1995 and an Executive Education from Harvard Business School in 2018. He brings expertise in enterprise B2B across both services (applications, infrastructure, and business process) and products.
Ritesh joined Firstsource from Uniphore, an enterprise-grade AI native company, where he was Chief Revenue Officer, partnering with the founders to help grow the business and establish the company as the market leader in conversational AI. As CRO at Uniphore, he led several global functions including worldwide sales, sales development, revenue operations, and global partnerships and alliances.
He launched the innovative “Gigsourcing Platform” in May 2025 under the relAI™ umbrella, reshaping talent sourcing via AI-driven on-demand freelancing.His Q3 FY25 stewardship delivered 32% YoY revenue growth, strong profitability (11.1% EBIT margin), and significant expansion in North America, Europe, Australia, and AI tech. Additionally, he deepened Firstsource’s AI credentials through partnerships—most notably with Microsoft Azure OpenAI—in efforts to accelerate digital transformation for enterprise clients. Indiaspora is proud to have Ritesh Idnani on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO HDFC Bank
Sashidhar Jagdishan
Sashidhar Jagdishan is Managing Director/CEO at HDFC Bank Ltd., India’s largest private sector bank. Sashi as he’s known to his friends and colleagues, joined HDFC Bank in 1996 and has played a critical role in its growth ever since. Starting as a manager in the Finance department, he’s grown from strength to strength wearing different hats. In a career spanning over 31 years, of which he has spent 28 years at HDFC Bank, Jagdishan has been instrumental in steering the bank through periods of change and growth.
Mr. Jagdishan is a Science Graduate (Physics) from Mumbai University, and a qualified Chartered Accountant. He also holds a Master’s degree in Economics of Money Banking & Finance from the University of Sheffield, UK. He was born and raised in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Under his guidance, HDFC Bank continues to focus on expanding its digital capabilities and maintaining its market leadership in the financial sector. Jagdishan’s vision for the future includes driving the bank’s growth by integrating innovative financial solutions and ensuring sustainable development. Jagdishan was recognized with the Bank CEO of the Year in Asia Pacific award for 2024. His leadership philosophy emphasizes strategic growth, operational efficiency, and leveraging technology to enhance customer experience. Indiaspora is proud to have Sashidhar Jagdishan on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO, Emaar Properties PJSC
Amit Jain
Amit Jain is Chief Executive Officer at Emaar Properties PJSC, a leading global property developer based in Dubai. The former management consultant from India has a wealth of experience across real estate and banking industries. Born and raised in India, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business and Commerce in 1991 from the University of Delhi in India, in addition to a Chartered Financial Analyst certificate from the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute in the United States of America.
After completing his education, Jain joined Emirates Bank, where he served as a manager in the audit division. Following a four-year stint as head of finance for Dubai Bank, Amit began his career at Emaar as the group’s finance leader in 2006, initially serving as the Group Chief Financial Officer and later as the Chief Operating Officer. In 2017, he was appointed as the CEO.
Looking ahead, Amit Jain envisions Emaar continuing its legacy of excellence by leveraging technology and sustainable practices to meet evolving market demands and enhance stakeholder value. His vision includes expanding Emaar’s portfolio globally and driving growth through strategic investments and innovative solutions. Indiaspora is proud to have Amit Jain on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
Incoming CEO
Shailesh Jejurikar
Shailesh Jejurikar is the incoming President and Chief Executive Officer of Procter & Gamble, set to assume the role on January 1, 2026, succeeding Jon Moeller. Born in Mumbai, India, Jejurikar earned his B.A. in Economics from Mumbai University and his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow. He joined P&G in 1989 as an Assistant Brand Manager in India and has since built a distinguished 36-year career entirely within the company.
Jejurikar has held numerous leadership roles across key global markets, including serving as Chief Executive Officer of P&G’s Fabric & Home Care—the company’s largest division—before becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2021. In his COO role, he oversaw critical markets (Latin America, India, Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe) and led core company functions including IT, global business services, sales, market operations, purchasing, manufacturing, and distribution.
Known for his ability to drive growth and innovation across developed and developing regions, Jejurikar also played a significant role in advancing P&G’s sustainability agenda, integrating environmental and societal goals into business strategy. He will be the first Indian-educated executive to lead the 187-year-old company. Indiaspora is proud to have Shailesh Jejurikar on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CMD, JSW Group
Sajjin Jindal
Sajjan Jindal is the chairman and managing director of JSW Group of companies; diversified in steel, mining, energy, sports, infrastructure and, software business. Known as “The Man of Steel,” Jindal began his career with a steel plant in 1982 and is now head of the country’s largest steel company, JSW Steel.
The JSW Group was founded in 1982 when Jindal acquired a re-rolling mill located in Tarapur, Maharashtra, near Mumbai, from Piramal Steel. Following the acquisition, the group renamed it Jindal Iron and Steel Company (JISCO). From these humble beginnings, Jindal transformed JSW into one of India’s leading business conglomerates. With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, JSW has a significant presence across diverse sectors including Steel, Energy, Infrastructure, Cement, Paints, B2B E-commerce, Venture Capital, Defence, Green Mobility, and Sports.
He is also a Nominee Director of Invest Karnataka Forum. Under Jindal’s leadership, JSW Steel has become India’s largest steel producer, while the group has expanded into multiple sectors, making it a key player in India’s industrial landscape. His vision of sustainable growth and innovation continues to drive the company’s success across its diverse business portfolio. Indiaspora is proud to have Sajjan Jindal on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
Managing Director and CEO of Tech Mahindra
Mohit Joshi
Mohit Joshi is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tech Mahindra, a leading IT services consulting company driving transformation through adoption of emerging technologies. He assumed his role as CEO in 2023, bringing with him over two decades of experience in the enterprise technology software and consulting space. Prior to joining Tech Mahindra, Mohit served as President at Infosys Limited, where he was responsible for the Financial Services and Healthcare/Life Sciences businesses. During his tenure at Infosys, he led the Financial Services business in Europe and worked as the CEO of Infosys Mexico, playing an instrumental role in setting up the company’s operations in the region.
Mohit has worked with some of the largest corporations in the world, driving digital transformation and building thriving businesses. His expertise spans enterprise technology software and consulting, with a particular focus on helping organizations navigate their digital transformation journeys. As CEO and Managing Director of Tech Mahindra, Mohit leads a company built on a strong engineering foundation, backed by the values representing 75 years of Mahindra Group heritage. Under his leadership, Tech Mahindra continues to drive innovation and help clients across various industries embrace digital transformation through cutting-edge technology solutions.
Joshi’s leadership philosophy emphasizes leveraging emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and cloud computing to drive business transformation and value creation. His vision for Tech Mahindra involves fostering innovation, operational excellence, and expanding the company’s footprint in diverse sectors beyond its traditional strength in telecommunications. Indiaspora is proud to have Mohit Joshi on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
Executive Director and CEO, Persistent Systems
Sandeep Kalra
Sandeep Kalra serves as the Executive Director and CEO of Persistent Systems, a leading global digital engineering and enterprise modernization partner. With over 30 years of experience in the IT services industry, Sandeep has a proven track record of revitalizing businesses to boost growth and profitability.
Sandeep joined Persistent Systems in May 2019 as President of the Technology Services unit, coming from HARMAN International, a Samsung company. He was promoted to CEO, where he has successfully transformed the three-decade-old company and propelled it to new heights through his visionary leadership. Sandeep is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta, bringing strong business acumen and strategic thinking to his leadership role.
As CEO and Executive Director of Persistent Systems, Sandeep leads the company’s global operations from his base in New Jersey. Under his leadership, Persistent Systems has strengthened its position as a trusted partner for digital transformation, serving clients across various industries with innovative technology solutions. In 2025, he earned top honors—named Best CEO and Tech Titan in Extel’s Asia Executive Team survey—for leadership, ESG, governance, and investor relations excellence. Indiaspora is proud to have Sandeep Kalra as our member, to be featured on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
EVP, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited
Shobana Kamineni
Shobana Kamineni, the 3rd daughter of legendary Dr. Prathap C Reddy, is a Promoter Director of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited and Executive Chairperson of Apollo Health Co Ltd. She has spearheaded significant initiatives, including the development of three of the largest verticals within the Apollo Group and the leadership of India’s largest integrated digital healthcare platform, Apollo 24/7. She oversees Apollo Pharmacy, comprising of over 6800+ stores nationwide, and was the founder and chairperson of Apollo Munich Health Insurance (divested to HDFC Ergo). Notably, she pioneered the establishment of a “Biobank,” recognized by Time Magazine among the top 10 ideas of the decade in Life Sciences. na has built a reputation for her vision, leadership, and commitment to societal welfare.
As the first female President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in over a century, Shobana made history. Committed to global public health enhancement, she has previously served on the board and audit committee of the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), focusing on diagnostic test development for poverty-related diseases. She also founded ‘Billion Hearts Beating,’ an NGO promoting heart disease prevention in India.
Additionally, Shobana holds roles Economic Forum (WEF), advocating for India’s workforce preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital inclusion in healthcare. Her achievements have earned her prestigious awards, including the Women Economic Forum’s ‘Businesswoman of the Decade’ and honorary doctorates from Bryant University, USA, and BML Munjal University, India. Indiaspora is proud to have Shobana Kamineni on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO of Honeywell
Vimal Kapur
Vimal Kapur is the CEO of Honeywell International, a global leader in automation, aviation, and sustainable technologies. With over 34 years at Honeywell, Kapur emphasizes operational excellence and driving growth through strategic initiatives. His focus on the “Honeywell Accelerator Operating System” highlights a commitment to streamlining processes and accelerating innovation across the company.
With a background in engineering, he began at a Honeywell Joint Venture in 1989. Since then he has overseen Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies and Honeywell Building Technologies. Looking towards the future, Kapur envisions Honeywell as a leader in innovation and technological advancements to address challenges in areas like sustainable energy, building automation, and aerospace.
Vimal Kapur proves to be well suited to lead Honeywell’s diverse operations in various industries into the future. Indiaspora is proud to have Vimal Kapur on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
President & CEO, Emerson
Lal Karsanbhai
Lal Karsanbhai is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Emerson, a $16.8 billion global technology and industrial software leader. He became CEO in February 2021 after a distinguished 26-year career with the company. Karsanbhai earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. He began his career at Emerson in 1995 as an international planner and held a number of business development positions of increasing responsibility before being appointed director of corporate planning in 1999.
Throughout his career at Emerson, Karsanbhai has worked globally, with assignments in Dallas, Paris, London, and other locations. He ascended through various leadership roles, including President of Emerson’s Fisher business and later led the Automation Solutions division, where he elevated Emerson’s software profile and digital transformation business. Interestingly, before joining Emerson, Karsanbhai was a helicopter pilot, and the training he went through continues to shape his leadership approach. He is fluent in three languages and embraces diverse cultures, bringing a strong global perspective to his leadership.
Under his guidance, Emerson has focused on strategic initiatives in technology and industrial software, positioning the company as a leader in automation and digital transformation solutions. Indiaspora is proud to have Lal Karsanbhai on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
Reshma Kewalramani
Dr. Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a Fortune 500 global biotechnology company. She became CEO on April 1, 2020, making her the first female CEO of a large US biotech company. Born in Bombay, India in 1973, Kewalramani immigrated to the United States with her family when she was 11 years old. She graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1998 from Boston University’s seven-year liberal arts/medical education program.
She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and her fellowship in nephrology at the combined program of Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. In 2015, she graduated from Harvard Business School’s General Management Program.cIn 2004, she transitioned to the biotech industry, spending 12 years at Amgen where she ultimately served as vice president and head of the U.S. medical organization. She joined Vertex in 2017 as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Global Medicines Development and Medical Affairs.
Kewalramani has dedicated her career to improving patient lives through new medicine development. Dr. Kewalramani has been instrumental in expanding Vertex’s portfolio, particularly in cystic fibrosis, overseeing the approval of breakthrough therapies such as TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO. Dr. Kewalramani’s leadership philosophy centers on patient-centric innovation and fostering the next generation of scientists. Under her leadership, Vertex aims to develop transformative therapies for various diseases, enhancing patient outcomes and continuing its legacy of scientific excellence. She is passionate about diversity in STEM and serves on several boards, including the Biomedical Science Careers Program and RIZE Massachusetts. Indiaspora is proud to have Dr. Reshma Kewalramani on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO, Magna International
Seetharama (Swamy) Kotagiri
Seetarama (Swamy) Kotagiri is the Chief Executive Officer of Magna International, a global automotive supplier at the forefront of technological advancements. Since assuming the CEO role in 2021, he has leveraged his extensive experience in engineering and leadership to guide Magna through a dynamic automotive landscape. Born in a small village in India, Kotagiri came to the United States to pursue his education and the American Dream. He earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1994, with a specialization in materials and structural engineering.
Before joining Magna, Kotagiri was a Structural Engineer at General Motors. He joined Magna International in 1999 and has more than 30 years of industry experience, including 21 years with Magna. Throughout his career at Magna, he served as Vice President of Engineering, Research and Development and Executive Vice President, Corporate Engineering, Research and Development. In his previous role as Magna’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), the company further strengthened its culture of innovation by forming partnerships in areas including autonomy and electrification.
Kotagiri has more than 12 patents in automotive product and process design to his credit and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers. He has been featured in Business Insider’s 100 People Transforming Business and was named by Automotive News as a 2021 all star in the category CEO, Global supplier. Under his leadership, he has steered Magna’s focus towards navigating the evolving automotive landscape, with an emphasis on new technologies like electrification and autonomous driving. Kotagiri envisions Magna as a leader in shaping the future of mobility – autonomous and electric vehicles. Seetarama Kotagiri is an innovative automotive engineer with his eye on shaping the future of the industry. Indiaspora is proud to have Seetarama (Swamy) Kotagiri on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
Chairman and CEO, IBM
Arvind Krishna
Arvind Krishna is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IBM, one of the world’s largest technology companies. Krishna received a Bachelor of Technology degree in electrical engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur in 1985 and a Doctor of Philosophy in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1991. He joined IBM in 1990 at its Thomas J. Watson Research Center and spent his entire career at the company, rising through the ranks over three decades.
Krishna was promoted to senior vice president in 2015, managing IBM Cloud & Cognitive Software and IBM Research divisions. He has been CEO of IBM since April 2020 and chairman since January 2021. He has steered the company’s focus towards emerging technologies like AI, cloud computing, and quantum computing. Collaboration, innovation and encouraging calculated risks are central to Krishna’s leadership style. He also oversaw the historic $34 billion acquisition of Red Hat, the largest in IBM’s history. Krishna continues to champion IBM as a leader in the development and implementation of next-generation technologies. Krishna is the co-author of 15 patents, acted as editor of IEEE and ACM journals, and has published extensively in technical conferences and journals. As IBM’s first CEO with an engineering background, he has instilled a more nimble and agile culture at the 114-year-old company.
Under Krishna’s leadership, IBM has positioned itself as a leader in responsible AI development and continues to focus on enterprise technology solutions, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence services. Outside of the boardroom, Krishna is known to be an avid sportsman and sportsfan. He is an experienced CEO whose commitment to innovation will be central to IBM’s future success in the age of AI. Indiaspora is proud to have Arvind Krishna on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
Managing Director & CEO, Tata Consultancy Services
K Krithivasan
K. Krithivasan (also known as Krithi) is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), one of the world’s largest IT services companies. He became the CEO and MD of TCS on June 1, 2023. Krithivasan completed his BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Coimbatore Institute of Technology, under University of Madras, in 1985. Thereafter he pursued Master’s Degree in Industrial and Management Engineering from IIT Kanpur. He graduated from IIT in 1987.
Krithivasan has been part of the global technology sector for over 34 years, having joined Tata Consultancy Services in 1989. During his long tenure at TCS, he has held various leadership roles in delivery, customer relationship management, large program management and sales. With more than three decades of experience at TCS, Krithivasan has played a crucial role in digital transformation initiatives, especially within the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sectors.
He has successfully driven innovation within the company, which employs over 600,000 people across 50 countries. He is recognized as a skilled business strategist with a strong passion for fitness and reading. His extensive experience and strategic vision are credited with propelling TCS’s global expansion. TCS’s success under his direction suggests a focus on data-driven decision making, customer focus, and fostering a strong company culture. Looking to the future, Krithivasan aims to maintain TCS’s global success and consistent revenue growth. Indiaspora is proud to have K Krithivasan on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO, Cognizant
Ravi Kumar
Ravi Kumar is the Chief Executive Officer of Cognizant, a leading global technology and professional services company. He was named CEO of Cognizant in January 2023 and leads more than 350,000 employees worldwide. Ravi earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Shivaji University, followed by an MBA from Xavier Institute of Management in India. The early part of his career was spent as a nuclear scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center of India, showcasing his strong analytical and scientific foundation.
Transitioning from science to the corporate world, he has over 19 years of experience in the consulting space, incubating new practice lines, driving large transformational programs, and evangelizing new business models across industry segments. He has played diverse roles across organizations within the CRM space for Oracle Corporation, building a next-generation CRM practice at Cambridge Technology Partners, and worked on process and technology transformation for the unbundling of Indian State Electricity Boards at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Prior to Cognizant, Ravi served as President of Infosys from 2016 to 2022, where he led the global services organization. He is a highly accomplished services industry executive with experience across digital transformation, traditional technology and engineering services, data and analytics, cloud and infrastructure, and consulting. Ravi is a member of the board of directors of TransUnion and is also on the board of governors of New York Academy of Sciences. Recently, he was honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest accolade awarded by the Government of India for overseas Indians. He envisions Cognizant leveraging digital transformation and talent development to drive success and maintain a competitive edge in the technology services industry. Indiaspora is proud to have Ravi Kumar on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO, NetApp
George Kurian
George Kurian is the President and Chief Executive Officer of NetApp, a leading global cloud, data services, and storage company. Born in Kerala, India, he joined NetApp in 2011 and was named CEO in June 2015. Kurian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Princeton University and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, graduating in 1995. He is the twin brother of Google Cloud CEO, Thomas Kurian. His career in technology included roles as vice president at Akamai Technologies, management consulting at McKinsey & Company, and leading Software Engineering and Product Management teams at Oracle Corporation. At McKinsey, George worked for four years as the senior engagement manager before moving to Akamai where he worked for three years. Next, he joined Cisco, where he headed different units like product management and strategy, application delivery business unit, application networking and switching.
Previously at NetApp, he served as executive vice president before being promoted to CEO. He brings his passion and relentless focus on execution to his leadership roles at NetApp. George is also an independent director on the Board of global health organizations, demonstrating his commitment to broader social impact beyond technology leadership.
Under his leadership, NetApp has successfully navigated the shift towards cloud data services, significantly enhancing its portfolio and market position. His leadership philosophy emphasizes execution, innovation, and customer focus. His vision for the future of NetApp involves advancing its cloud capabilities and maintaining its competitive edge. Indiaspora is proud to have George Kurian on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO, General Atomics Global Corporation
Vivek Lall
Dr. Vivek Lall is the Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, a leading aerospace and defense technology company. He has served as CEO of General Atomics Global Corporation since 2020. Lall traces his passion for airplanes to his childhood in Vienna, Austria, where “as early as 5 or 6, I was fascinated to look up in the sky and see an airplane.” His educational journey is extensive: he earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Carleton University in Canada and his master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. He also holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University in Kansas and an MBA from City University in Seattle.
Early in his career, he worked with NASA Ames Research Center where he was part of a project undertaking research work and conducted research on single-engine blades for Canada’s National Aeronautical Establishment. His industry experience includes key positions at Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon. He previously headed Boeing (Defense and Space) operations in India from 2007 through April 2011. Lall is a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and in 2018, he was appointed in a key advisory role to the US Secretary of Transportation. He serves on the boards of the U.S.-India Business Council and the U.S.-Japan Business Council. He was conferred the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in September 2022 and Cambridge (UK) has listed him as one of only 2000 Outstanding Scientists of the Twentieth Century.
In April 2025, he joined the Space Policy Institute as a non‑resident scholar to advise on space governance and security. He’s directing the rollout of 31 MQ‑9B Predator/Guardian drones to India—including complete local assembly—with delivery beginning in 2029. He also champions real‑time data‑sharing mechanisms within Quad nations for Indo‑Pacific security. Recognized with the 2024 Golden Peacock for Innovative Business Leadership, he advises NATO STO, the Quad Investors Network, ASME, and multiple bilateral business councils. Vivek Lall was featured on the cover of Forbes 2025. Indiaspora is proud to have Vivek Lall on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
CEO, Linde
Sanjiv Lamba
Sanjiv Lamba is the Chief Executive Officer of Linde PLC, a leading global industrial gases company. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) degree from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata (1987) and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1989. Lamba began his career in 1989 with BOC India in Finance, progressing to Director of Finance and subsequently Managing Director for the India business in 2001. Throughout his 29 years with BOC/Linde, he has worked across multiple geographies including Germany, the UK, and various Asian markets.
With Linde, he served as Head of South & East Asia Regional Business Unit overseeing 11 countries from 2006-2011, and has been a Member of the Executive Board since March 2011. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Lamba served as Chief Operating Officer after holding the position of Executive Vice President, APAC.
As CEO, Lamba’s leadership philosophy emphasizes empowering teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and staying attuned to market dynamics to capitalize on emerging opportunities. His extensive experience in the industrial gases industry spans over three decades, with deep expertise in Asian markets and global operations. Lamba aims to leverage Linde’s global expertise and technological prowess to drive meaningful impact across industries. Indiaspora is proud to have Sanjiv Lamba on our Business Leaders 2.0 List.
