3 Indians in Forbes’ 2024 Power Women List

Forbes has unveiled its 21st annual list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, a prestigious ranking that celebrates influential figures across business, entertainment, politics, philanthropy, and policymaking. This year, three Indian women have made their mark on the global stage with remarkable achievements in their respective fields. They include Nirmala Sitharaman, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, whose contributions to their industries have earned them prominent spots on the list.

Key Achievements of Indian Women’s List 2024

1. Nirmala Sitharaman (Rank 28 overall)

• Position: Finance Minister of India
• Achievements : First woman to hold these roles full-time in May 2019.
• Played a significant role in managing India’s $4 trillion economy, with projections to become the third-largest economy by 2027.
• Advocates for women’s financial empowerment, supporting entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
• Former positions at BBC World Service and National Commission for Women.

2. Roshni Nadar Malhotra (Rank 81 overall)

• Position: Chairperson of HCL Technologies and CEO of HCL Corporation
• Achievements: Oversees strategic decisions for the $12 billion HCL Technologies, founded by her father in 1976.
• Trustee of Shiv Nadar Foundation, which focuses on transformative education.
• Founder of The Habitats Trust, dedicated to conserving natural habitats and species.
• Background in journalism and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management.

3. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Rank 82 overall)

• Position: Founder and Chairperson of Biocon
• Achievements: Built Biocon into a global biopharmaceutical powerhouse.
• Biocon’s expansion includes one of Asia’s largest insulin manufacturing facilities in Malaysia.
• Led Biocon Biologics’ acquisition of Viatris’ biosimilars business for $3.3 billion in 2022.
• Raised $362 million through Biocon-backed Bicara Therapeutics’ IPO in 2024.
• A notable philanthropist, donating $7.5 million for cancer research in 2019.

Top 10 Women In That List (2024)

• 1. Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European Commission
• 2. Christine Lagarde – President of the European Central Bank
• 3. Giorgia Meloni – Prime Minister of Italy
• 4. Claudia Sheinbaum – President of Mexico
• 5. Mary Barra – CEO of General Motors
• 6. Abigail Johnson – CEO of Fidelity Investments
• 7. Julie Sweet – CEO of Accenture
• 8. Melinda French Gates – Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• 9. MacKenzie Scott – Philanthropist
• 10. Jane Fraser – CEO of Citigroup