Indian-Origin Neal Mohan Named TIME’s 2025 CEO of the Year

In a remarkable acknowledgment of innovation-driven leadership, TIME magazine has named Neal Mohan YouTube’s Indian-origin CEO as the “2025 CEO of the Year.” Mohan’s rise from his early academic foundations in India to leading the world’s largest video platform symbolizes a global success story shaped by technical excellence, empathy, and strategic foresight.

Who Is Neal Mohan?

Born to Indian parents, Neal Mohan grew up in an environment that emphasised discipline, academic excellence, and curiosity. His educational journey led him to Stanford University, where he completed,

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering
• MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business
• Graduated as an Arjay Miller Scholar, an honour bestowed on top-performing students

His strong technical foundation and strategic training positioned him at the intersection of technology, design, and business leadership.

Career Journey

Early Career

Mohan began his professional path at Accenture, gaining exposure to consulting and enterprise processes. His pivot to the tech world began when he joined DoubleClick, where he became deeply involved in online advertising systems.

Stint at Microsoft & Google Acquisition

After a brief strategy role at Microsoft, Mohan returned to DoubleClick. When Google acquired the company in 2007, he moved into Google’s leadership fold, where his expertise proved crucial in,

• Building scalable digital ad technologies
• Expanding Google’s ad product offerings
• Managing complex product portfolios with a user-first mindset

His reputation grew as a leader known for detail-oriented thinking, calm decision-making, and a strong understanding of technology-driven business models.

Rise at YouTube: From Chief Product Officer to CEO

In 2015, Neal Mohan joined YouTube as its Chief Product Officer (CPO). Over the next eight years, he oversaw major developments,

• The growth of YouTube Shorts
• Expansion of YouTube TV
• Strengthened monetization tools for creators
• Improved digital wellbeing and content moderation efforts

When he took over as CEO in 2023, Mohan assumed leadership at a transformative moment in global media technology.

Significance of the Recognition

Neal Mohan becoming TIME’s CEO of the Year,

• Highlights Indian-origin leadership on the global stage
• Reinforces the importance of ethical, creator-centred tech leadership
• Signals confidence in YouTube’s direction amid global competition
• Inspires young professionals in technology, AI, and digital media

His journey reflects how technical insight combined with humility and inclusiveness can shape transformative leadership.

Static Info

• Award: TIME CEO of the Year 2025
• Recipient: Neal Mohan
• Position: CEO of YouTube (since 2023)
• Education: Stanford University – B.S. (Electrical Engineering), MBA (Arjay Miller Scholar)
• Career Highlights: Accenture, DoubleClick, Google, YouTube CPO (2015), CEO (2023)