Five Indian-Americans Named Among Indiana’s Most Influential Leaders in 2024

IBJ Media has announced its prestigious Indiana 250 list for 2024, celebrating the state’s most influential and visionary leaders across business, nonprofit, civic, and media sectors.

Among this year’s honorees are five Indian-American leaders who have left a powerful mark on Indiana’s innovation, education, and economic landscape.

The selected honorees include:

  • Tanuja Singh, President of the University of Indianapolis
  • Latha Ramchand, Chancellor of Indiana University Indianapolis
  • Amish Shah, CEO of Kem Krest
  • Rupal Thanawala, CEO of Trident Systems LLC
  • Aman Brar, Principal at Unnatural LLC

These leaders will be honored at an exclusive reception held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, and their achievements are featured in a special magazine supplement distributed with the July 25 issue of the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ).

Leaders Driving Change Across Sectors

Dr. Tanuja Singh: Transforming Higher Education in Indiana

With over 30 years of academic leadership, Dr. Tanuja Singh is a dynamic force in higher education. Now president of the University of Indianapolis, Singh previously held top academic roles at Loyola University New Orleans and St.

Mary’s University. She is recognized for designing workforce-aligned programs and building partnerships that enrich student success and regional economic development.

“This recognition reflects the mission of UIndy, empowering students through relevant, lifelong learning,” Singh remarked.

Dr. Latha Ramchand: Visionary in Academic Strategy and Finance

Appointed as the first-ever chancellor of Indiana University Indianapolis, Dr. Ramchand brings two decades of leadership in higher education.

She previously served as provost at the University of Missouri and was the business school dean at the University of Houston.

With deep expertise in finance and academic strategy, Ramchand also serves on the board of Insperity, a leading HR solutions provider.

Five Indian-Americans Named Among Indiana’s Most Influential Leaders in 2024

Amish Shah: Scaling a Global Enterprise from Indiana

As CEO of Kem Krest, Amish Shah has transformed a small business into a $500+ million global supply chain powerhouse.

Since joining the company in 1996, Shah has led with innovation and vision, expanding Kem Krest’s footprint among Fortune 100 clients. He also co-founded ESGI, an EdTech company focused on improving early childhood literacy.

Rupal Thanawala: Tech Innovator and DEI Advocate

CEO of Trident Systems LLC, Rupal Thanawala is a tech entrepreneur, columnist, and diversity leader.

With more than 20 years of experience at firms like PwC, Eli Lilly, and Accenture, she is a vocal advocate for minority empowerment through digital innovation.

She also serves on the board of the Financial Center and is part of Indiana University’s DEI Leadership Faculty.

“This honor is shared with the teams and communities that have stood by me,” Thanawala stated in gratitude.

Aman Brar: Powering Indiana’s Tech Ecosystem

Aman Brar, through his advisory firm Unnatural LLC, plays a pivotal role in Indiana’s tech and innovation scene.

Formerly CEO of Jobvite and Canvas, a pioneer in text-based recruiting, Brar now advises and serves on the boards of emerging startups like AutoMato AI and 120Water.

His expertise in mergers, acquisitions, and strategic scaling continues to shape the Midwest’s tech growth trajectory.

Celebrating Excellence at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum

The Indiana 250 honorees will be celebrated at an invitation-only ceremony at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, highlighting their outstanding impact across industries.

The initiative by IBJ Media not only recognizes leadership but also sets the stage for future growth, inclusion, and innovation in Indiana.

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