BOSTON — The New England Choice Awards (NECA), the region’s most prestigious celebration of Indian American excellence, announced today that Dr. L. Rafael Reif, the 17th President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will serve as the Distinguished Guest of Honor at its black-tie gala on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Burlington Marriott Hotel.
As part of the evening’s program, Dr. Reif will present the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award to Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo.
A Visionary in Higher Education and Innovation
A globally respected academic leader, innovator, and engineer, Dr. Reif served as MIT’s president from 2012 to 2022 and is widely recognized for his transformative work in online education, sustainability, and building innovation ecosystems that bridge research, entrepreneurship, and public good.
Throughout his decade-long presidency at MIT, Dr. Reif championed initiatives
that have reshaped the landscape of global education. From launching MITx and
co-founding edX—pioneering platforms that brought world-class education to
millions globally—to advancing climate solutions through the MIT Climate Grand
Challenges and the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium, Dr. Reif’s legacy is
one of bold vision and impactful action.
Dr. Reif was also instrumental in establishing The Engine, a venture fund supporting “tough tech” startups, and in creating the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, a bold initiative that integrated AI and computing across disciplines while addressing its societal impacts.
“Rafael Reif played a pivotal and visionary role in transforming Kendall Square into a global innovation hub. He didn’t just shape Kendall Square physically—he cultivated its identity as the world’s biotech epicenter. His role is a textbook example of visionary leadership aligning urban development with scientific innovation,” said Anantha P. Chandrakasan, MIT’s Provost and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
“Dr. Reif’s work has not only advanced the frontiers of knowledge, but also helped democratize access to education and mobilize institutions to confront the defining challenges of our time,” said Dr. Manju Sheth, President of INE MultiMedia and Co-Producer of the NECA Gala. “We are honored to have him at our event.”
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Reif join us for this special evening,” said Upendra Mishra, Co-Founder of INE MultiMedia and Publisher of INDIA New England News. “His leadership, global perspective, and unwavering commitment to innovation reflect the aspirations we celebrate through NECA each year.”
This year’s gala will also spotlight the following seven additional honorees across key categories:
Dr. Sanjay Sarma — Academia & Innovation Award
Dr. Anil Chandraker — Healthcare Trailblazer Award
Rajesh Godbole & Shadaj — Art & Culture Visionary Award
Naveen Pawar — Business Luminary Award
Judge Neil Sherring — Legal & Justice Champion Award
Dr. Gopala Dwarakanath — Legacy in Community Service Award
New England Malayalee Association (NEMA) — Non-Profit of the Year
The evening will include a red-carpet welcome, cultural performances, and a curated dinner program attended by regional dignitaries, philanthropic leaders, and invited guests.
About the New England Choice Awards (NECA)
The New England Choice Awards is an annual recognition event that celebrates Indian Americans who are making transformative contributions to the civic, cultural, and economic fabric of the region. Hosted by INE Multimedia, NECA has honored more than 75 leaders since its inception, highlighting stories of entrepreneurship, academic excellence, social impact, and cross-cultural bridge building.
