The 2019 EMpower ethnic minority executives list showcases business leaders who are breaking down barriers at work.
Indian American CEO of MasterCard Ajay Banga has been named the top ethnic minority executive in the world. The just released “EMpower Ethnic Minority Role Model†list also includes a number of Indian American executives, besides Banga.
The annual ranking of ethnic minority role models in business list by Empower is released by diversity and inclusion network INvolve, which is a membership organization that champions diversity and inclusion in business.
The list celebrates the top 100 ethnic minority senior executives, the top 50 future ethnic minority leaders and 15 advocate white leaders.
The list showcases “business leaders who are breaking down barriers at work and working hard to smash the ceiling for ethnic minorities in the UK, Ireland, Europe, and people of color in the United States and Canada.â€
All the chosen senior executives are either CEOs or leaders of organizations.
Banga, who has served as the CEO of MasterCard for a decade now, is also a member of board of directors of the company. “Since joining the organization in 2009, Ajay has led MasterCard on an inclusion journey, including the expansion of its global inclusion and diversity council, which he co-chairs,†said INvolve. “Under his leadership, Mastercard embraces, encourages and supports its people to bring their whole selves to work and use their unique perspectives as a competitive differentiator.â€
In 2016, Banga was awarded the Padma Shri Award by the President of India.
Banga is also a past Chairman of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC), which represents more than 300 of the largest international companies investing in India. He is also the chairman emeritus of the American Indian Foundation. Born in Pune, Maharashtra, Banga’s father was an army officer. His father Harbhajan Singh Banga was a celebrated army general who served in the Indian Army.
Here’s the complete list of EMpower ethnic minority executives 2019.