BY VEENA RAO
Jersey City, New Jersey, March 6, 2025: The latest Forbes list shines a spotlight on South Asian women who are transforming business and culture in America. These women, spanning industries from corporate leadership to entertainment, are breaking barriers and redefining success. Over the last decade, and particularly in the past five years, South Asian women have emerged as some of the most influential figures in society today.
“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. Organizations like Gold House, Female Founders Fund, and The Asian Pacific American Taskforce have played crucial roles in fostering this rise by funding, researching, and creating platforms for South Asian American entrepreneurs, leaders, and culture makers.
Trailblazers on the Forbes List
Leena Nair transitioned from engineering and human resources at Unilever to becoming the first South Asian CEO of CHANEL, blending technical expertise with creative leadership to redefine modern business.
Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, led the company for 12 years with a focus on sustainability and health-conscious products. She now serves on Amazon’s Board of Directors.
Revathi Advaithi, CEO of Flex, has been instrumental in fostering U.S.-India partnerships, particularly in electric vehicle adoption and climate technology.
Anjula Acharia, founder and CEO of A-Series Investments and Management, has successfully guided global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas from Bollywood to Hollywood and is a key investor in companies like ClassPass and Bumble.
Payal Kadakia founded ClassPass, the first billion-dollar company by a South Asian woman, revolutionizing the wellness industry with flexible fitness options.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, a leading actress and entrepreneur, transitioned from Bollywood to Hollywood, securing major roles and launching a successful production company.
Mindy Kaling made a name for herself in Hollywood as an actress, writer, and producer, creating groundbreaking shows like Never Have I Ever and The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, has overseen global programming for some of the most successful streaming shows, including Bridgerton and Stranger Things.
Anjali Sud became CEO of Vimeo at 33, turning the company profitable, and now leads Tubi TV, shaping the future of free content consumption.
Padma Lakshmi, former host of Top Chef, has introduced immigrant cuisines to mainstream audiences through TV shows, cookbooks, and her memoir.
Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, an Academy Award-winning director, has tackled critical global issues in her documentaries and is set to direct the next Star Wars film.
Forbes’ recognition of these women highlights the growing influence of South Asian leaders across industries, emphasizing their contributions in reshaping American business and culture.
