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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.