Mumbai-Born Dr. Reshma Kewalramani Ranks Among Fortune’s 100 Most Powerful People in Business 2025
In a significant milestone for Indian-origin leadership on the global stage, Dr. Reshma Kewalramani, the Mumbai-born CEO and President of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, has been ranked 62nd on Fortune magazine’s prestigious 2025 list of the 100 Most Powerful People in Business. This recognition places her alongside tech titans and business giants like Mark Zuckerberg, Satya Nadella, Sundar Pichai, and Mukesh Ambani, highlighting her growing influence in the biotechnology and global corporate landscape.
Dr. Kewalramani’s inclusion on this elite list marks her debut, underscoring her role as the first woman to head a major publicly traded biotechnology company in the United States. Vertex Pharmaceuticals, valued at over $110 billion, is renowned for groundbreaking therapies targeting cystic fibrosis, gene editing, and other innovative treatments. Under her leadership since April 2020, the company has achieved several medical breakthroughs, including FDA approval of Journavx, the first opioid-free pain medication, demonstrating a strategic balance of medical acumen and business prowess.
Born in Mumbai, Dr. Kewalramani relocated to the United States with her family at the age of 11. She initially pursued a medical career, practicing at renowned institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Transitioning into biotechnology, she held pivotal research and development roles before joining Vertex in 2017 as Chief Medical Officer. Just three years later, she ascended to CEO, also securing a position on the company’s board of directors.
Fortune magazine emphasizes that its list prioritizes leaders actively shaping the present and future of global business through their ability to influence decisions, drive innovation, and impact industries—not merely by net worth. The magazine editorial notes, “This list measures power and influence—and though net worth is a factor, we’re much more concerned with a leader’s ability to shape the thoughts and actions of those around them.”
Dr. Kewalramani’s net worth is estimated at over $100 million as of mid-2025, reflecting her equity ownership, stock sales, and compensation. Her 2024 compensation package combined salary, bonuses, and stock options valued at $21.5 million. Beyond Vertex, she serves on the board of biotech firm Ginkgo Bioworks and was included in TIME magazine’s 2025 list of the “100 Most Influential People,” further cementing her status as a global biotech and business icon.
Experts and industry observers commend Dr. Kewalramani for blending her medical expertise with strategic leadership to propel biopharmaceutical innovation. An industry analyst noted, “Reshma Kewalramani exemplifies the fusion of science and business leadership. Her influence extends beyond Vertex, shaping the biotech sector’s future through commitment to innovative therapies and ethical stewardship.”
Her rise also holds significant symbolic value as a Mumbai-born woman breaking glass ceilings in a highly competitive, male-dominated industry in the U.S. biotechnology sector. Colleagues and admirers highlight her dedication to fostering diversity and mentoring emerging leaders within the scientific community.
In summary, Dr. Reshma Kewalramani’s recognition on Fortune’s 2025 list of 100 Most Powerful People in Business is a testament to her exceptional leadership and impact in biotech innovation, business strategy, and global health advancement. As Vertex continues pioneering transformative medical therapies, her role signals a broader shift toward inclusive leadership shaping industries and society.
