From tech geeks making their name heard across the silicon valley to tycoons who head some of the most successful conglomerates, India and Indian blood has gone on to lead some of the most successful businesses and companies across the world.
1. Satya Nadella (Microsoft)
Satya Narayana Nadella is an Indian-American business executive who is currently the CEO of Microsoft. He joined Microsoft in 1992 and has held several key leadership roles, including as the head of Microsoft’s cloud and enterprise business and as the executive vice president of the company’s business division.
Under Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft has shifted its focus to cloud computing and mobile devices, with a strong emphasis on services such as Azure, OneDrive, and Office 365. He has also overseen the acquisition of LinkedIn, Github, and other companies to expand Microsoft’s offerings and reach.
Nadella is known for his focus on innovation and culture, and he has emphasized the importance of empathy, growth mindset, and diversity in the workplace. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful and visionary tech CEOs of his generation.
2. Sundar Pichai (Google)
Sundar Pichai is an Indian-American business executive and the CEO of Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. He joined Google in 2004 as a product manager and has held various leadership positions within the company, including as the head of Google Chrome and Google Apps.
Under Pichai’s leadership, Google has continued to expand its reach into new areas, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and hardware. He has also overseen the launch of new products, such as the Google Assistant, Google Home, and Pixel smartphones, among others.
Pichai is known for his focus on user experience and his efforts to make technology more accessible and useful for people around the world. He has emphasized the importance of responsible innovation and has sought to address the ethical and societal implications of technology. Pichai is widely regarded as one of the most influential tech CEOs of his generation.
3. Shantanu Narayen (Adobe Systems)
Shantanu Narayen is an Indian-American business executive and the CEO of Adobe Systems Inc., a leading software company that provides creative and marketing solutions. He joined Adobe in 1998 and has held various leadership positions within the company, including as the head of Adobe’s worldwide products division.
Under Narayen’s leadership, Adobe has continued to innovate and expand its offerings, with a strong focus on cloud-based solutions such as Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Experience Cloud. He has also overseen the acquisition of several companies to expand Adobe’s capabilities and reach.
Narayen is known for his focus on digital transformation and his efforts to help businesses and individuals unleash the power of creativity through technology. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader in the tech industry and is known for his commitment to diversity and social responsibility.
4. Sanjay Mehrotra (Micron Technology)
Sanjay Mehrotra is an Indian-American business executive and the CEO of Micron Technology, Inc., a leading provider of memory and storage solutions. He co-founded SanDisk Corporation in 1988 and served as its president and CEO until it was acquired by Western Digital in 2016.
Under Mehrotra’s leadership, Micron has continued to grow and innovate, with a focus on next-generation memory and storage technologies such as 3D NAND and advanced DRAM solutions. He has also overseen the expansion of Micron’s operations into new markets and the development of strategic partnerships with leading technology companies.
Mehrotra is known for his focus on technology innovation and his efforts to bring cutting-edge solutions to the market. He has a deep understanding of the memory and storage industry and is widely regarded as a visionary leader in the tech industry.
5. Rajeev Suri (Nokia)
Rajeev Suri is an Indian-born Finnish business executive and the CEO of Nokia Corporation, a multinational communications and information technology company. He joined Nokia in 1995 and has held various leadership positions within the company, including as the head of Nokia’s mobile networks business and as the CEO of Nokia Solutions and Networks.
Under Suri’s leadership, Nokia has focused on delivering end-to-end solutions for communication networks, with a strong emphasis on 5G technology. He has also overseen the expansion of Nokia’s business into new areas, such as the Internet of Things and cloud-based solutions.
Suri is known for his strategic vision and his focus on innovation and customer satisfaction. He has emphasized the importance of sustainability and has sought to address the social and environmental implications of technology. Suri is widely regarded as a visionary leader in the telecommunications industry.
6. Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks)
Nikesh Arora is an Indian-American business executive and the CEO of Palo Alto Networks, Inc., a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions. He has a background in technology and has held various leadership positions at companies such as Google and SoftBank Group.
Under Arora’s leadership, Palo Alto Networks has continued to innovate and expand its offerings, with a focus on next-generation security solutions for the cloud, mobile, and IoT. He has also overseen the development of strategic partnerships with leading technology companies and the expansion of Palo Alto Networks’ global presence.
Arora is known for his focus on growth and his ability to drive results in complex and fast-moving markets. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader in the cybersecurity industry and has been recognized for his contributions to the field.
7. Jay Chaudhry (Zscaler)
Jay Chaudhry is an Indian-American business executive and the founder and CEO of Zscaler, Inc., a leading provider of cloud security solutions. He has over three decades of experience in the technology industry and has held various leadership positions at companies such as AirDefense and CipherTrust.
Under Chaudhry’s leadership, Zscaler has become one of the fastest-growing and most innovative companies in the cybersecurity industry. The company provides cloud-based security solutions that protect organizations from cyber threats and enable them to securely embrace cloud, mobile, and IoT technologies.
Chaudhry is known for his focus on innovation and his efforts to disrupt the traditional cybersecurity market. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader in the field and has been recognized for his contributions to the development of cloud security solutions. Chaudhry is a strong advocate for cybersecurity education and has sought to raise awareness about the importance of protecting against cyber threats.
8. Francisco D’Souza (Cognizant)
Francisco D’Souza is an Indian-American business executive and the former CEO of Cognizant, a leading provider of digital, technology, and consulting services. He joined Cognizant in 1994 and held various leadership positions within the company before becoming CEO in 2007.
Under D’Souza’s leadership, Cognizant transformed from a traditional IT services company into a digital leader, delivering a wide range of digital and technology solutions to clients around the world. He also oversaw the expansion of Cognizant’s global presence and the development of strategic partnerships with leading technology companies.
D’Souza is known for his focus on innovation and his efforts to help clients embrace digital transformation. He is widely regarded as a visionary leader in the technology industry and has been recognized for his contributions to the field. D’Souza is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and has sought to create a culture of innovation and collaboration at Cognizant.
9. Vinod Khosla (Khosla Ventures)
Vinod Khosla is an Indian-American venture capitalist and the founder of Khosla Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies. He has a background in technology and was one of the co-founders of Sun Microsystems, a leading provider of computer hardware and software products.
Under Khosla’s leadership, Khosla Ventures has invested in a wide range of companies across various industries, including technology, energy, and healthcare. He has a reputation for being an early investor in game-changing technologies and has been instrumental in the growth of several successful companies, including Tesla, Jawbone, and Square.
Khosla is known for his focus on innovation and his ability to identify promising startups and help them grow. He is widely regarded as a visionary investor and a thought leader in the technology industry. Khosla is also a strong advocate for sustainability and has invested in companies that are developing clean technologies and solutions to address environmental challenges.