Google

B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur, MS in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

What may seem like a simple story of a boy from Madurai rising to the top is, in reality, a journey defined by grit and determination. He began his career at Google in 2014 and steadily advanced by deepening his understanding of the business and assuming critical development roles. Over the years, he contributed significantly to key products, including Google Chrome and the Android platform, which played a vital role in shaping his leadership trajectory.

A combination of engineering and management education can pave the way to global leadership roles. Few could have imagined that someone who began their journey studying the science of metals and alloys would go on to lead one of the world’s most influential technology companies.

This remarkable transition highlights how strong technical foundations, when paired with strategic thinking and adaptability, can unlock limitless leadership potential.

Pepsico

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from Madras Christian College, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM Calcutta, and later completed a master’s degree in Public and Private Management at the Yale School of Management.

Indra was a woman with a clear vision and unwavering ambition. Her career journey included impactful roles at leading organisations such as Johnson & Johnson, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Motorola, and Asea Brown Boveri (ABB). She later began her iconic tenure at PepsiCo, where she steered the company’s global strategy for over a decade and played a pivotal role in navigating one of the most complex restructuring phases in its history.”

“The fusion of technical knowledge and business acumen creates powerful leaders, especially in a world where values-driven leadership matters more than ever.

Instead of relying solely on sugary sodas, she reshaped PepsiCo’s portfolio by championing healthier snacks and beverages such as Tropicana and Quaker Oats, a bold and controversial move at the time. Despite critics, the strategy ultimately succeeded, transforming PepsiCo into a more diversified and forward-looking global brand.

Amazon

Jeff Bezos earned a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Princeton, which provided him with the technical foundation to recognise the Internet's transformative potential long before it became mainstream.

Jeff Bezos began his career on Wall Street, working at firms like Fitel, Bankers Trust, and D.E. Shaw, where he gained invaluable experience in finance and technology. Driven by his vision of the Internet’s potential, he left a high-paying job to start Amazon as an online bookstore in 1994. Through relentless innovation, strategic risk-taking, and a customer-first approach, he transformed Amazon into one of the world’s largest and most influential companies.

A deep understanding of technology, combined with a strategic vision, is essential for scaling a business and driving effective leadership.

Tesla

Dual bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania

No list of top CEOs would be complete without Elon Musk. He began his entrepreneurial journey by founding Zip2, went on to launch several groundbreaking ventures, including SpaceX, and eventually became CEO of Tesla. Each of his companies has become legendary, serving as case studies in innovation, leadership, and visionary business strategies.

: Elon Musk teaches us the power of relentless innovation and bold risk-taking. His journey shows that vision combined with perseverance can turn seemingly impossible ideas into global successes.”

Chanel

Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication (E&TC) Engineering from Walchand College of Engineering, followed by an MBA from XLRI – Xavier School of Management.

She began her career as a summer intern at Unilever, steadily rising through the ranks to become Executive Director and Vice President of Human Resources. In just two years, she drove a 33% increase in productivity and played a key role in enabling women to return to work after career breaks through the “Career by Choice” initiative. Her upward trajectory continued as she made history by becoming the first woman, the first Asian, and the youngest-ever Chief Human Resources Officer. During her tenure, Unilever achieved a landmark 50/50 gender balance across global leadership and management positions.

She later created another milestone by becoming the first female and Indian-origin CEO of Chanel, despite having no prior experience in the fashion industry. At Chanel, she emphasised sustainability, brand exclusivity, and gender equality, guiding the organisation toward its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Despite her remarkable achievements, pursuing education was a constant negotiation for her. From a small town in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, she became the first woman in her family to study engineering and was allowed to continue only after agreeing to marriage, through which she met her life partner, Kumar Nair.

Apple

Steve Jobs studied calligraphy, design and philosophy.

Steve Jobs was marked by vision, setbacks, and relentless innovation. After being ousted from Apple, he returned stronger, redefining technology with products like the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. His obsession with design, simplicity, and user experience ultimately transformed Apple into one of the world’s most influential companies.

Education goes beyond degrees—it is driven by constant curiosity. Thinking differently and challenging conventions can take you a long way.

Kotak Mahindra Bank

Kotak completed his undergraduate studies in commerce at Sydenham College and went on to pursue management education at the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.

Uday Kotak began his entrepreneurial journey by co-founding Kotak Mahindra Finance, transforming it from a non-banking finance company into one of India’s leading private-sector banks. Through disciplined risk management and long-term vision, he built Kotak Mahindra Bank into a symbol of trust and financial stability.

Uday Kotak’s journey highlights the importance of financial discipline, long-term thinking, and ethical leadership. His success proves that sustainable growth is built on trust, patience, and strategic decision-making.

YouTube

Neal Mohan holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering along with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Stanford University.

Mohan began his professional journey at Accenture before joining the startup NetGravity. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become CEO of YouTube, playing a key role in expanding the platform through offerings such as YouTube TV, YouTube Music, YouTube Premium, and YouTube Shorts.

“During his childhood, he returned to India around the seventh grade, where he initially struggled to fit in. His accent made him stand out, but this cultural transition became a defining experience that later helped shape his global outlook and inclusive leadership style.

Microsoft

Bill Gates completed graduate-level computer science coursework and the advanced Math 55 program at Harvard University (dropout).

Not an ordinary story, but the iconic journey of a dropout who became one of the youngest billionaires. Certain about his vision, Bill Gates left Harvard to pursue his dream, founding Microsoft, which went on to become a global success.

Curiosity and hands-on experimentation can shape your future. As a teenager, Bill Gates explored early computers like the PDP-10, even pushing system limits to learn how they worked—an experience that sharpened his programming skills and laid the foundation for his success in software.

Meta

Graduate in Computer Science and Psychology at Harvard University (dropout)

Known as a coding prodigy, Mark Zuckerberg built software to solve everyday needs, gaining major momentum during his Harvard years with projects like CourseMatch and the controversial Facemash. Recognising the potential of what became Facebook, he dropped out to scale it globally and later went on to shape the future of social technology through the metaverse and other platforms.

While still in school, Mark Zuckerberg created a program for his father’s dental clinic and his family home—an internal messaging system called “ZuckNet.” This early project revealed his natural inclination toward building communication tools from a young age.

Sundar Pichai moved from metallurgy to leading a global tech giant, proving that foundational skills matter more than specialisation labels.

Leaders like Indra Nooyi and Jeff Bezos combined analytical education with strategic vision to drive long-term growth. These CEOs and their degrees define professional growth and exceptional success.

Elon Musk and Bill Gates succeeded by betting on ideas others considered uncertain or premature.

Leena Nair, a prime example among CEOs and their degrees, transitioned from engineering and HR to leading a global luxury brand, showcasing the power of adaptability and versatile expertise.

Steve Jobs proved that learning beyond formal education can fuel innovation and creativity.

Uday Kotak highlights how patience, integrity, and long-term thinking create enduring institutions.

Neal Mohan, a notable example of CEOs and their degrees, demonstrates how cultural adaptability enhances leadership and drives success in global organisations.