The hiring of Kunal Shah, the founder of CRED, as the next CEO of WhatsApp has brought attention back to an amazing trend: CEOs of Indian descent continue to run some of the most powerful businesses in the world. Leaders with Indian roots now manage companies that service billions of people worldwide, ranging from cloud computing and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, digital media, and logistics. Shah’s decision to join WhatsApp, which has over three billion users worldwide, is the most recent example of the increasing number of Indian-origin executives working in corporate corner offices.
1. Microsoft’s Satya Nadella
Nadella, who was born in Hyderabad, has been in charge of Microsoft since 2014 and is largely responsible for the company’s transformation into a cloud and artificial intelligence powerhouse. Under his direction, Microsoft grew into one of the most valuable businesses in the world and a significant player in artificial intelligence.
2. Sundar Pichai of Google and Alphabet
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
Since 2015, Pichai has served as Google’s CEO. He then assumed leadership of Alphabet, the company’s parent. The executive, who was born in Chennai, is in charge of products like Search, Android, Chrome, YouTube, and Gemini AI that are utilized by billions.
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3. IBM’s Arvind Krishna
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
After being instrumental in the company’s cloud strategy and the historic acquisition of Red Hat, Krishna, an IIT Kanpur alumnus, was appointed CEO of IBM in 2020.
4. Kunal Shah on WhatsApp
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
Shah, the newest player on the list, acquires WhatsApp after Meta invested $900 million in CRED. He is anticipated to spearhead the platform’s upcoming expansion in the areas of corporate messaging, AI, and subscriptions.
5. FedEx’s Raj Subramaniam
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
Subramaniam, a native of Kerala, succeeded FedEx founder Fred Smith in 2022, making him just the company’s second CEO.
6. Neal Mohan on YouTube
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
As the CEO of YouTube, Mohan is in charge of the biggest video platform in the world, influencing the direction of digital advertising, streaming, and artists.
7. Palo Alto Networks’ Nikesh Arora
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
Benefiting from the increasing need for digital security solutions, the former Google executive has transformed Palo Alto Networks into one of the most significant cybersecurity firms globally.
8. Procter & Gamble’s Shailesh Jejurikar
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
After working for P&G for almost 40 years, the Mumbai-born executive was appointed CEO in January 2026.
9. Honeywell’s Vimal Kapur
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
Before taking over as CEO in 2023, Kapur worked his way up through Honeywell’s ranks over the course of more than 30 years, supervising the company’s foray into automation, aerospace, and energy technology.
10. Arista Networks’ Jayshree Ullal
Ten CEOs of Indian descent running multinational corporations in 2026, including Microsoft, Google, and WhatsApp
Ullal, one of the most well-known executives in Silicon Valley, has transformed Arista Networks into a major provider of cloud networking technology utilized by hyperscale data centers across the globe.
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