LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 24: Bela Bajaria, CCO, Netflix accepts the Power of Women award … [+] onstage during Variety’s Power of Women at Mother Wolf on October 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Variety via Getty Images)
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The rise in South Asian female leaders in America has grown across the C-suite, entertainment, academia, and entrepreneurship. Not long ago South Asian women were largely underrepresented in corporate boardrooms and creative industries, particularly in the United States. Over the last decade, especially in the previous five years, South Asian women have become some of the most influential leaders in society today, reshaping business and culture, and using their powerful voices to drive change.
“South Asians have been an unstoppable leading force in the founder scene for centuries. We’re finally getting the recognition we deserve for our invaluable contributions as CEOs, innovators, visionaries & creatives,” shared Maneet Ahuja, Editor-at-Large at Forbes. “It’s important for the South Asian & AAPI community to keep championing our collective impact—by breaking down barriers we all rise together.” Organizations like Gold House, Female Founders Fund and The Asian Pacific American Taskforce have been instrumental in continuing to fund, conduct research, provide platforms, and create legislation that fosters the rise of South Asian American entrepreneurs, leaders and culture makers.
Below are some of the top female South Asian American entrepreneurs, executives, entertainers and government.
Leena Nair
CHIPPING NORTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Leena Nair speaks onstage at #BoFVOICES at Soho Farmhouse on … [+] November 28, 2023 in Chipping Norton, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images for BoF)
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Nair transitioned from engineering and human resources at Unilever to leading one of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses as the first South Asian CEO of CHANEL. The course of her remarkable career blends technical expertise and creative leadership in a manner that redefines modern business.
Indra Nooyi
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 10: Pepsi Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi speaks onstage at the Fortune Most … [+] Powerful Women Summit – Day 2 on October 10, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Fortune)
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After kickstarting her career at Motorola, Nooyi became the first female CEO of PepsiCo in 2006. Nooyi led the soda giant for 12 years, driving initiatives that emphasized sustainability and more health-conscious products. Today she serves on Amazon’s Board of Directors and remains a powerful role model for all women.
Revathi Advaithi
Revathi Advaithi, chief executive officer of Flex Ltd., speaks during an event with US President Joe … [+] Biden at the company’s facility in West Columbia, South Carolina, US, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Biden announced a $60 million investment from Enphase Energy Inc., a manufacturer of solar-energy equipment, the latest effort to underscore his administration’s economic agenda as he seeks reelection. Photographer: Sam Wolfe/Bloomberg
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Advaithi, CEO of Flex, has been instrumental in fostering U.S.-India partnerships under the Biden administration, particularly in electric vehicle adoption and climate technology. Her leadership underscores the pivotal role of South Asian women in driving global impact.
Anjula Acharia
As a master connector and brand strategist, Acharia wields her power across industries as the founder and CEO of A-Series Investments and Management. Acharia, who currently manages Priyanka Chopra Jonas, played a key role in successfully managing the global icon’s transition from Bollywood to Hollywood. Acharia also established a strong track record of mentoring leaders and has risen as a successful multi-unicorn investor. She has backed companies including ClassPass and Bumble, and the popular beverage startup Olipop.
Payal Kadakia
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 11: Payal Kadakia attends Gold Gala 2024 at The Music Center on May … [+] 11, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Gold House)
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Kadakia opened up a new world of possibilities as a startup founder. Her company, ClassPass, was the first billion-dollar company by a South Asian woman. Her vision revolutionized the wellness industry, offering flexible fitness options globally.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Priyanka Chopra on the red carpet at the Victoria’s Secret World Tour 2023 event at The Manhattan … [+] Center on September 6, 2023 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
WWD via Getty Images
Since her leap from Bollywood, Chopra Jonas has dazzled on American big screens. After making her debut on American TV with ABC’s hit show Quantico, Chopra Jonas has landed several leading roles in recent films, including Love Again and the upcoming Heads of State, where she stars opposite Idris Elba, as well as the Russo Brothers’ production The Bluff, both set for release this year. She is also set to lead Season 2 of Amazon’s Citadel. Chopra Jonas has firmly established herself as an international leading lady. Additionally, she has built a successful production company, co-producing multiple award-nominated projects, and is the face of major brands such as Bulgari, Johnnie Walker, and Victoria’s Secret
Mindy Kaling
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 18: Mindy Kaling attends her Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony … [+] on February 18, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
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Kaling another Hollywood icon, made a name for herself acting, writing, directing, and producing culture-shaping television shows, starting with The Office. Kaling has since become a champion of Indian women on-screen and introduced bright new stars on her popular shows Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls. Tack on a Tony Award and two bestselling memoirs, and Kaling has become a leading voice in entertainment. Most recently Kaling has gotten herself a Fame Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Bela Bajaria
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 07: Bela Bajaria speaks onstage at the TIME100 Summit 2022 at Jazz at … [+] Lincoln Center on June 7, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)
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Bajaria exhibits the creativity and resourcefulness typical of modern South Asian women. As the Chief Content Officer at Netflix, she has exerted her influence by developing some of the most binge-worthy content to ever hit streaming. She oversees global programming, including culture-creating shows from Bridgerton to Stranger Things to Squid Game. Bajaria has become a prominent player in the industry for her groundbreaking work, and her name is consistently included across Most Powerful Women lists.
Anjali Sud
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 08: Vimeo CEO Anjali Sud visits Yahoo Finance Breakout Breakfast at Build … [+] Studio on November 8, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Monica Schipper/WireImage)
WireImage
Sud became the CEO of Vimeo at only 33 years old and turned the company profitable, underscoring that South Asian women make excellent business leaders. Today, Sud is the CEO of Tubi TV and continues to transform the industry and how people consume free content in the future.
Padma Lakshmi
Padma Lakshmi at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in … [+] Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Variety via Getty Images
Paving other avenues in TV is Lakshmi, who introduced the world to immigrant foods that now influence Western cuisine. As the former host of Bravo’s Top Chef and the current host of Taste the Nation. Lakshmi shared her passion for food with others in ways that inspired them to try new things and experience new flavors through TV and her cookbooks, as well as based on her commentary as a judge on one of the most famous cooking competition shows. Lakshmi began her career as a model, where she was often the only Indian woman in the room. She has since loaned not only her face but her voice to others through works like her powerful memoir, Love, Loss, and What We Ate, and a children’s book, Tomatoes for Neela.
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 28: Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, winner of the Best Documentary Short … [+] award for ‘A Girl in the River,’ poses in the press room during the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Loews Hollywood Hotel on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
WireImage
Behind the big screen, Obaid Chinoy is leaving her mark. She is an Academy Award-winning director who spotlights critical global issues through her documentaries, including A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness and Saving Face. Her latest work, Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge, is currently featured on Hulu. With these successes, she has been tapped to direct the newest Star Wars film slated to release in 2026.
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Publish date : 2025-02-27 14:13:00
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