Indian executives are gaining clout in U.S. corporate boardrooms

The career trajectory of many of today’s Indian business leaders is similar to that of Axalta Coating Systems Chair Rakesh Sachdev, who started in the U.S. as a senior engineer at auto supplier Cummins in 1981 before rising to become chief financial officer and later president of Asia Pacific at Arvin Meritor. | BLOOMBERG

Sep 28, 2026

After decades of climbing the executive ranks at U.S. companies, more men of Indian descent are now entering the boardroom.

A record 16 Indian men joined S&P 500 boards this year, taking directorships at companies including Walmart, Southwest Airlines and Western Digital, according to ISS-Corporate and data provider Equilar. Only White men and women added more seats.

The surge caps a longer shift. The share of Indian men among directors at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies has tripled since 2018, outpacing increases for women, Black and Hispanic directors, according to data from James Drury Partners.

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