Three Indian Americans — Rajiv J. Shah, Deepak Bhargava, and Anna Verghese — have been named to the prestigious TIME100 Philanthropy list for 2026, earning recognition for their contributions to global social impact and charitable initiatives.
The annual list, released by TIME Magazine, honors influential leaders shaping the future of philanthropy, humanitarian work, and nonprofit innovation across the world.
Shah, who serves as president of the Rockefeller Foundation, was recognized for his work in advancing global health, climate resilience, food security, and economic development initiatives. Since taking over the foundation in 2017, Shah has led major international programs focused on pandemic preparedness, renewable energy access, and poverty reduction.
Previously, Shah served as administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under former President Barack Obama, becoming one of the highest-ranking Indian Americans in the US government.
Bhargava was honored for his leadership at Freedom Together, a philanthropic organization supporting racial justice, immigrant rights, economic equality, and democratic participation initiatives in the United States.
Meanwhile, Verghese earned recognition for her role at The Audacious Project, a collaborative philanthropic initiative that funds large-scale nonprofit and social impact programs globally. Under her leadership, the project has mobilized billions of dollars in support for initiatives related to education, healthcare, climate action, and social justice.
The inclusion of Shah, Bhargava, and Verghese on the TIME100 Philanthropy list highlights the growing influence of Indian Americans in global philanthropy and nonprofit leadership.
