Roshni Nadar Malhotra stands as a beacon of leadership and philanthropy in contemporary India.

Alright, let’s shake off the corporate press-release vibes and get real about Roshni Nadar.

So, she’s the boss lady at HCLTech—yeah, that huge tech company you’ve probably seen splashed across business headlines. Plus, she’s a trustee at the Shiv Nadar Foundation (basically, her family’s mission to give back). She juggles boardrooms and charity work like some kind of multitasking ninja.

Let’s rewind a bit. Born in Delhi in ’82, Roshni grew up surrounded by business chatter and big-hearted philanthropy. She went to Vasant Valley School—fancy, right?—then shipped off to Northwestern University in the States, diving into Communications and getting her hands dirty in Radio/TV/Film. Didn’t stop there, either. She powered through an MBA at Kellogg, focusing on social enterprise, and snagged the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award. (Yeah, she’s got receipts.)

Before she got sucked into the family biz, Roshni tested the media waters—producing news at Sky News, London. But by 28, she was back in India, switching gears big-time and grabbing a seat at the HCLTech boardroom table as executive director and CEO. Talk about a plot twist.

What’s wild is how she steered HCLTech into the big leagues. We’re talking over $60 billion market value. She’s all about innovation, chasing new markets (shoutout to Australia and New Zealand), and basically making sure HCLTech isn’t just a local player. Girl’s got a global mindset.

But she’s not just about the bottom line. Through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, Roshni’s been pouring energy (and, let’s be honest, a boatload of cash—about $1.2 billion) into education. One standout project? VidyaGyan. It’s a school for super-bright but underprivileged rural kids in Uttar Pradesh—think future leaders from the middle of nowhere, getting a shot at changing the game for their communities.

She’s also a passionate conservation nerd. In 2018, she kicked off The Habitats Trust—imagine boots-on-the-ground action to protect India’s wild spaces and creatures, not just talk.

People have noticed, too. Forbes has her on their “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” list, year after year. France even handed her the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2024, which is basically their way of saying, “Respect.”

Roshni’s not shy about sharing her brainpower, either. She’s on the advisory council at MIT’s engineering school, sits on Kellogg’s Asia board, helps steer The Nature Conservancy, and even weighs in at HDFC AMC. That’s a lot of conference calls.

And get this—she’s taken her environmental passion to TV. Since 2019, she’s been producing “On The Brink” for Animal Planet/Discovery, spotlighting India’s rarest wildlife. The show’s won national awards, so clearly she’s doing something right.

Life at home? Roshni’s married to Shikhar Malhotra—another VIP at HCL and the Shiv Nadar Foundation. They’ve got two sons, Armaan and Jahaan. Somehow, she manages to balance all that and still have a life. Modern woman goals, honestly.

Future Outlook and Vision 

Looking ahead, Roshni Nadar Malhotra envisions a future where technology and social responsibility intersect to drive meaningful change. Under her leadership, HCLTech aims to enhance gender diversity, targeting a workforce composition of 40% women and increasing female representation in senior leadership to 30% by 2030. This initiative reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive growth within the technology sector.

In the realm of education, Roshni plans to expand the reach of the Shiv Nadar Foundation's initiatives, aiming to impact more underprivileged communities across India. By scaling programs like VidyaGyan, she aspires to empower a new generation of leaders who can contribute to the nation's socio-economic development.

Environmental conservation remains a cornerstone of her future endeavours. Through The Habitats Trust, Roshni intends to launch new conservation projects and forge international collaborations to protect biodiversity. Her vision encompasses not only preserving wildlife but also engaging local communities in sustainable practices, ensuring that conservation efforts are both impactful and inclusive.

Furthermore, Roshni is exploring the integration of technology with conservation and education. By leveraging HCLTech's technological expertise, she aims to develop innovative solutions that address environmental challenges and enhance educational outreach. This interdisciplinary approach signifies her belief in the power of technology as a catalyst for social good.