The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has long been a powerhouse for global leadership. From the helm of the World Bank to the deans’ offices of the Ivy League, these four graduates have reached the pinnacle of influence in American corporate and academic spheres.
1. Ajay Banga
President, World Bank Group
Ajay Banga made history on June 2, 2023, by becoming the first India-born executive to lead the World Bank. His career is a masterclass in global finance and corporate governance.
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Career Trajectory: Formerly the President and CEO of Mastercard and Vice Chairman at General Atlantic.
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Legacy at IIM-A: A 1981 graduate, Banga was described in his yearbook as a “man for all seasons.” In 2015, he established the “Ajay Banga” and “Ritu Banga” Industry Scholarships at the institute.
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Recognition: Awarded the Padma Shri in 2016 and the Singapore Public Service Star in 2022.
2. Srikant Datar
Dean, Harvard Business School (HBS)
Srikant Datar became the eleventh dean of the world’s most prestigious business school in 2020. A distinguished scholar, he has been a pivotal figure at Harvard since joining the faculty in 1996.
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Key Roles: Served as Senior Associate Dean for University Affairs and Faculty Chair of the Harvard Innovation Lab.
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IIM-A Excellence: A 1978 graduate, Datar won the “Outstanding Overall Performance” award during his time at the institute and served as the Coordinator of the Student Affairs Council.
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Quote: “I don’t think I would have the opportunities that I had but for IIM Ahmedabad.”
3. Raghu Sundaram
Senior Vice Chancellor, NYU; Dean Emeritus, NYU Stern
Raghu Sundaram is a titan of academic administration and economics. After serving as the Dean of the NYU Stern School of Business from 2018 to 2024, he now serves as NYU’s Chief Global Officer.
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Academic Path: Graduated from IIM-A in 1984 before earning his PhD from Cornell University.
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Impact: Under his leadership, NYU Stern expanded its MBA programs and online learning initiatives, solidifying its place as a top-tier global business hub.
4. Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon
Chair, NYU Tandon School of Engineering; Founder, Krishnamurthy Tandon Foundation
A rare blend of business acumen and artistic brilliance, Chandrika Tandon is a humanitarian, Grammy winner, and leader at New York University.
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Pioneering Career: The first Indian woman to be elected partner at McKinsey & Company.
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Giving Back: Recently pledged ₹100 crore to IIM-A to launch a dedicated School of AI.
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Musical Success: A trained vocalist, she secured her first Grammy win at the 67th Annual Awards (2025/2026 cycle), following two previous nominations.
Summary of Impact
| Leader | Primary Institution | IIM-A Batch | Key Contribution |
| Ajay Banga | World Bank | 1981 | Global Poverty Alleviation |
| Srikant Datar | Harvard Business School | 1978 | Business Education Innovation |
| Raghu Sundaram | NYU | 1984 | Global Academic Strategy |
| Chandrika Tandon | NYU / K.T. Foundation | 1975 | AI Philanthropy & Engineering |
