8 Indian American CEOs That Are a True Inspiration
From the great Aryabhatta who invented zero to Sir C V Raman, who discovered the phenomenon of light scattering, India has been home to some of the most gifted minds in the history of the world.
However, it wasn’t until the early 90s that the world took notice of Indian businessmen like Mukesh Ambani and Ratan Tata – individuals who were slowly but surely making the country a force to reckon with. Executives like Raj Gupta and Ramani Ayer went one step further by breaking the glass ceiling and becoming the first Indian American CEOs in the USA.
Today, over two decades later, Indian Americans hold the most prestigious positions in US companies across many industries. In this piece, we’ve listed top 10 indian ceo in usa who are doing India proud.
1. Sundar Pichai

Company: Google and Alphabet
Revenue ( Alphabet): $257.5B (2022)
Term of Office: Google (From 2015 – Present); Alphabet (From 2019 – Present)
About:
Sundar Pichai, is amongst top 10 Indian CEO in USA, a prominent figure in the technology industry. Born on July 12, 1972, in Chennai, India, he completed his education at prestigious institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Stanford University. Pichai joined Google in 2004 and played a crucial role in the development of various products, including Google Chrome and Android. In 2015, he became the CEO of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc.
What stands out:
What stands out about Sundar Pichai is his remarkable leadership and vision. He is an innovative Indian CEO in US tech companies . Under his guidance, Google expanded its product portfolio, focusing on innovation and user experience. Pichai’s dedication to advancing technology has led to significant advancements in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and mobile platforms. His inclusive leadership style and commitment to privacy and security have also gained recognition. Moreover, Pichai actively advocates for diversity and education, inspiring young minds around the world. His accomplishments and impact on the tech industry make him a standout figure in the Indian American community and beyond.
2. Satya Nadella
Company: Microsoft
Revenue: $184.9B (2022)
Term of Office: From 2014 – Present
About:
Satya Nadella, an Indian American CEO, is a prominent figure in the technology industry. Born on August 19, 1967, in Hyderabad, India, he completed his education at Manipal Institute of Technology and the University of Wisconsin. Nadella joined Microsoft in 1992 and held various leadership positions before becoming the CEO in 2014
What stands out:
What stands out about Satya Nadella is his transformative leadership style and his emphasis on cultural change and innovation. Under his leadership, Microsoft has undergone a significant shift towards cloud computing and artificial intelligence. Nadella’s focus on empowering employees, fostering a growth mindset, and embracing diversity and inclusion has revitalized the company’s culture. He has also championed ethical and responsible AI development. Additionally, Nadella’s commitment to philanthropy and his vision of technology’s role in solving global challenges have garnered admiration. His leadership has propelled Microsoft to new heights and established him as a respected leader in the tech industry and beyond.
3. Vivek Sankaran

Company: Albertsons Cos Inc
Revenue: $76.768B(2022)
Term of Office: From April 2019 – Present
About: Vivek Sankaran, ranked amongst top Indian CEOs in the world, is a notable figure in the business world. Born in India, he completed his education at the University of Madras and the University of Michigan. Sankaran has held leadership roles in several prominent companies, including PepsiCo and Albertsons Companies.
What stands out: What stands out about Vivek Sankaran is his expertise in the consumer packaged goods industry and his focus on innovation and strategic growth. He has a track record of driving successful business transformations and delivering value to shareholders. Sankaran’s ability to navigate complex market dynamics, adapt to changing consumer preferences, and lead with a customer-centric approach has garnered recognition. His commitment to sustainable business practices and community engagement also sets him apart. Sankaran’s leadership and business acumen continue to make a significant impact in the corporate world.
4. Arvind Krishna
Company: IBM
Revenue: $60.53 billion (2022)
Term of Office: 2020 – Present
About:
Arvind Krishna, an Indian American CEO, is a prominent figure in the technology industry. Born in India, he holds a bachelor’s degree from the Indian Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Krishna has had a successful career at IBM, where he has held various leadership positions before becoming the CEO in 2020.
What stands out:
What stands out about Arvind Krishna is his deep knowledge and expertise in technology, particularly in cloud computing and artificial intelligence. He is known for his strategic vision and commitment to driving innovation and digital transformation. Krishna’s leadership has focused on advancing IBM’s capabilities in hybrid cloud and AI, emphasizing the importance of data privacy and ethical AI practices. Under his guidance, IBM continues to evolve and adapt to the changing technological landscape.
5. Punit Renjen

Company Name: Deloitte
Revenue: $59 Billion (2022)
Term of Office: June 2015- Present
About:
Punit Renjen, an Indian American CEO, is a prominent business leader in the professional services industry. Born in India, Renjen holds a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. He has had a successful career at Deloitte, where he has held various leadership positions before becoming the CEO of Deloitte Global in 2015.
What stands out:
What stands out about Punit Renjen is his commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion and diversity within Deloitte. He has been instrumental in driving Deloitte’s focus on digital transformation and innovation, leading the organization through a period of rapid change. Renjen is also an advocate for responsible business practices and has been actively involved in sustainability and social impact initiatives. Under his leadership, Deloitte continues to be a trusted advisor to clients around the world.
6. Vasant Narasimhan
Company Name: Novartis
Revenue: $50.5 billion (2022)
Term of Office: Feb 2018- Present
About:
Vasant Narasimhan, an Indian American CEO, is a distinguished figure in the pharmaceutical industry. With a medical background, Narasimhan holds an MD from Harvard Medical School and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He joined Novartis, a leading pharmaceutical company, in 2005 and served in various roles before becoming the CEO in 2018.
What stands out:
What stands out about Vasant Narasimhan is his dedication to advancing healthcare innovation and patient-centric solutions. Being an Indian CEO in US tech companies, he has been a strong advocate for precision medicine and the use of data and digital technologies to transform healthcare. Narasimhan has also demonstrated a commitment to global health challenges, actively working on initiatives to improve access to healthcare in underserved communities. Under his leadership, Novartis continues to make significant contributions to the field of healthcare and pharmaceutical research.
7. Sanjay Mehrotra

Company: Micron
Revenue: $27.156 Billion(2022)
Term of Office: 2017 – Present
About:
Sanjay Mehrotra, an Indian American CEO, is a prominent figure in the technology industry. He co-founded SanDisk, a leading flash memory storage solutions company, in 1988. After its acquisition by Western Digital in 2016, Mehrotra became the CEO of Micron Technology, a global leader in memory and storage solutions. With a strong engineering background and expertise in the semiconductor industry, Mehrotra has made significant contributions to the development and advancement of memory technologies.
What stands out:
What stands out about Sanjay Mehrotra is his visionary leadership and innovation-driven approach. He has been instrumental in driving Micron’s growth and expansion, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and autonomous vehicles. Mehrotra’s focus on research and development has led to breakthroughs in memory technologies, enabling faster and more efficient data processing. His strategic vision and commitment to technological advancement have positioned Micron as a key player in the global semiconductor industry.
8. Laxman Narasimhan
Company: Starbucks
Revenue: $30.4B (2022)
Term of Office: 2022 – Present
About:
Laxman Narasimhan, an Indian American CEO, is a notable business executive with a diverse professional background. He assumed the role of CEO of Reckitt Benckiser Group in 2019, a leading global consumer health and hygiene company. Prior to this, Narasimhan held key leadership positions at major multinational corporations, including PepsiCo and McKinsey & Company. He has a strong track record of driving business growth, executing strategic transformations, and fostering innovation.
What stands out:
What stands out about Laxman Narasimhan is his commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. Under his leadership, Reckitt Benckiser has prioritized sustainability initiatives and launched ambitious environmental goals. Narasimhan has also championed social impact programs, including initiatives focused on improving access to hygiene and healthcare in underserved communities. His dedication to driving positive change and his strategic vision have positioned him as a respected leader in the consumer goods industry.
FAQs
1. How many CEOs in America are Indian?
The exact number of Indian CEOs in America varies, but there are several prominent Indian American CEOs leading major companies.
2. Which American companies have Indian CEO?
Prominent American companies with Indian CEOs include Microsoft, Google, PepsiCo, Adobe, and Mastercard, among others.
3. Who is the highest paid Indian CEOs in USA?
The highest-paid Indian CEO in the USA is currently Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft.
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