Indian-origin World Bank President named in ‘Great Immigrants’ 2023 list

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, has been nominated to a famous charitable organization’s annual “Great Immigrants” list of honorees who, by their contributions and activities, have enriched and improved America and its democracy.

Banga, who will take over as World Bank President in June 2023, is the first Indian American to manage the organization. He is the sole Indian on the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s list of ‘Great Immigrants’ this year.

Banga, 63, is expected to usher in transformative policies at the World Bank to tackle poverty and address climate change, creating possibilities for people.

During a fireside chat, Carnegie said Banga shared some thoughts on how diversity has helped him succeed as a leader: “At the end of the day, if you surround yourself with people who look like you, walk like you, talk like you, grew up in the same places you did, and worked with you in your previous jobs, then you will have a sense of comfort hiring people around you who have that familiarity.”

However, you will have the same blind spots. You will overlook the same tendencies. You’ll pass up the same opportunity.”

Banga began his career in India, where he worked for 13 years at Nestle India and two years at PepsiCo. He joined Citigroup in 1996 and rose through the ranks to become CEO of the Asia-Pacific region.

Banga thereafter relocated to the United States, where he served as President and CEO of Mastercard for 12 years until being elected Executive Chairman. According to the announcement, under his leadership, Mastercard established the Centre for Inclusive Growth, which promotes equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world.