BOSTON— INE Multimedia, a non-profit organization which promotes art, culture, education, business and empowerment, announced that Indra Nooyi, former Chairman and CEO of PepsiCo and one of the most influential business leaders of our time, will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 at the annual New England Choice Awards Gala. In 2024, this award was bestowed to Vertex Pharmaceuticals CEO Reshma Kewalramani.
The gala this year will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Marriott Burlington Hotel in Burlington, MA, with over 400 business executives, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, educators, and community leaders expected to attend.
Recognized globally for her groundbreaking leadership and lasting impact, Ms. Nooyi led PepsiCo as Chairman and CEO for over a decade, architecting the company’s transformative “Performance with Purpose” strategy—an integrated approach to growth that aligned business success with social and environmental responsibility. She is also the author of the acclaimed memoir My Life in Full, where she shares her journey from Chennai to the boardrooms of global powerhouses.
“I want to thank the New England Choice Awards committee and the Indian community in Boston for this lifetime Achievement Award. It is a privilege to be in the company of all those who came before me….Leaders I have admired and respected enormously,” said Ms. Nooyi. “It reminds me that true success isn’t measured by profits alone, but by the positive impact we create for people, communities, and the planet. I dedicate this recognition to every individual who dares to lead with purpose and integrity, and to the next generation who will carry that vision forward.”
Ms. Nooyi’s extraordinary career spans leadership roles at The Boston Consulting Group, Motorola, Asea Brown Boveri, and an unparalleled 24-year tenure at PepsiCo, culminating in her service as CEO and Chairman. During her leadership, PepsiCo’s revenues grew by over 80%, and she was consistently ranked among the world’s most powerful women by Forbes, Fortune, and Time.
“It is a privilege to honor Indra Nooyi at NECA Awards,” said Dr. Manju Sheth, MD, president and CEO of INE MultiMedia. “She is one of the biggest trailblazers in the world as the first woman CEO of PepsiCo but above all is a wonderful human being. She is an incredible role model for so many of us. We are all very excited at team NECA.”
Beyond corporate success, Ms. Nooyi has made a profound mark in the public and nonprofit sectors.
“Indra Nooyi’s leadership has transformed the global business landscape and inspired generations, including myself,” said Reshma Kewalramani, M.D., FASN, CEO & President of Vertex Pharmaceuticals. “Her trailblazing journey — from Chennai to the helm of a global Fortune 500 company — resonates deeply, and I am honored to celebrate her extraordinary career and legacy at the New England Choice Awards.”
Ms. Nooyi currently serves on the boards of Amazon, Philips, the National Gallery of Art, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and is a Council Member of the Earthshot Prize, founded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. She has also served as a trustee of MIT and held the Class of 1951 Chair for the Study of Leadership at West Point.
“We are truly honored to recognize Indra Nooyi with the Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Upendra Mishra, co-founder of INE Multimedia and publisher of INDIA New England News and its sister publications Life Sciences Times and Boston Real Estate Times. “Her visionary leadership has not only reshaped industries but has inspired generations around the world to lead with purpose, integrity, and compassion. She exemplifies what it means to break barriers while lifting others along the way.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor presented at the New England Choice Awards, which celebrate excellence and impact across a wide range of fields including business, healthcare, innovation, education, community service, and the arts, among others.
“Indra Nooyi exemplifies everything we value in a modern business leader—vision, integrity, innovation, and relentless commitment to impact,” said philanthropist and MIT Life Member Desh Deshpande.
“Her rise from Chennai to the C-suite of one of the world’s most influential companies is not just remarkable—it’s revolutionary. As entrepreneurs, we look to her as the gold standard of what’s possible when purpose meets perseverance.”
“I am thrilled that Indra Nooyi is being honored with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award. She is an extraordinary leader whose wide-ranging impact spans industries,” said Anantha Chandrakasan, a longtime faculty member and distinguished leader at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), who was recently appointed as the Institute’s provost. “At MIT, her service as a member of the School of Engineering Dean’s Advisory Council and the MIT Corporation has brought invaluable insight and vision. Her breadth of knowledge, along with her leadership across technology, non-profit, and corporate boards, will continue to shape the future.”
Members of Indian American philanthropy and business community were thrilled at the news of Ms. Nooyi being honored with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Massachusetts has long been a beacon of innovation, intellect, and inclusion—and welcoming Indra Nooyi to our community feels both fitting and thrilling,” said TiE Boston President and Aro Biotherapeutics CEO Purnanand Sarma. “Her global impact reverberates across boardrooms and classrooms alike. We’re not just hosting a guest of honor—we’re celebrating a once-in-a-generation leader whose presence will uplift and inspire everyone in the room.”
Philanthropist Prashanth Palakurthi praised Ms. Nooyi’s strategic insight that transformed PepsiCo into a more global, healthier, and an environmentally conscious brand.
“Her management style set new benchmarks for corporate ethics. She continues to inspire women worldwide to aspire for leadership roles,” said Mr. Palakurthi. “Her enduring legacy lies in her ability to seamlessly integrate purpose, performance, and compassion into corporate success.”
Raj Sharma, Managing Director – Wealth Management and Head of The Sharma Group, and the author of “The Purposeful Wealth Advisor” was impressed by Ms. Nooyi book “In My Life in Full.”
“In My Life in Full, Indra Nooyi doesn’t just tell her story—she shares her soul,” said Mr. Sharma. “With rare honesty and wisdom, she invites us into the inner conflicts and moral questions that define a meaningful life. Her writing is as purposeful as her leadership: clear, brave, and deeply empowering. This book belongs on every leader’s desk and every dreamer’s nightstand.”
Megha Desai, President of the Desai Foundation, said Ms. Nooyi is an extraordinary leader whose ambition, candor, and vision have inspired a generation.
“Watching her lead an iconic American brand like PepsiCo with such grace and strength showed us that anything is possible,” said Ms. Desai. “It reflected an America that values immigrants’ not just as contributors, but as essential voices in shaping its future. Her unwavering commitment to philanthropy reminds us that true leadership is not just about success but about giving back and lifting others as you rise.”
INE Multimedia is a non-profit organization dedicated to informing, educating, and inspiring individuals through high-impact multimedia content and community-driven events. With a strong focus on storytelling, innovation, and leadership, INE Multimedia works to elevate voices, foster dialogue, and build connections across diverse audiences. Through panel discussions, documentaries, cultural programming, and educational initiatives, the organization strives to empower individuals and strengthen communities both locally and globally.
INDIA New England News is the leading digital, video, and print media outlet serving the South Asian community in New England and beyond for over two decades. As a trusted source of news and analysis, the publication covers a wide range of topics including business, politics, health, culture, and community affairs. Known for its in-depth interviews, event coverage, and influential conferences, INDIA New England News continues to be a vital platform for amplifying South Asian voices and bridging communities through journalism that informs, connects, and inspires.
