(Top L-r): Anu Aiyengar, Sonal Desai, Meena Lakdawala-Flynn, Neesha Hathi ; (Bottom L-R): Gunjan Kedia, Sonali Pier, Nishi Somaiya / Courtesy: LinkedIn/File Photo

The prestigious list of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance, which honors women who have achieved leadership positions in the world of finance in America and are helping to shape its future, features seven women of Indian origin in 2026. Published by Barron's magazine, the annual list honors established and emerging leaders in finance, economics, policy, and the corporate world.

This year’s honorees are identifying and funding tomorrow’s artificial-intelligence beneficiaries, brainstorming new types of investment products, shaping financial advice for the next generation, and ensuring that monetary policy keeps the economy on an even keel, according to Barron’s.

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The Indian American women who have made it to this list are:

Anu Aiyengar, global head of mergers and acquisitions at J.P. Morgan, who took on the role in 2023. Regarded as a powerhouse on Wall Street, she is currently one of the most influential figures in investment banking, overseeing a global practice of over 500 bankers across 45 countries. Aiyengar moved to the US from India as a teenager and rose to the top of a traditionally male-dominated field.

Sonal Desai, executive vice president and chief investment officer, fixed income, Franklin Templeton, took on her current role in 2018. She is a member of Franklin Resources’ executive committee and serves on the firm’s management and investment committees. Dr. Desai is a central figure in global finance and oversees over $215 billion in assets across various fixed-income sectors, including municipal bonds, corporate credit, and emerging markets. She began her career as an assistant professor of economics at the University of Pittsburgh and had spent over six years as an economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C. She has a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Delhi University.

Meena Lakdawala-Flynn is co-head of global private wealth management and co-head of One Goldman Sachs, Goldman Sachs Group. As co-head of global private wealth management, she has been spearheading programs for ultra-wealthy individuals and families her division serves. She is one of the most senior women in revenue-producing roles on Wall Street, known for her expertise in serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and foundations. Flynn is also co-chair of the firm’s global inclusion and diversity committee and a member of the UNICEF International Council.

Neesha Hathi is a top-tier executive at Charles Schwab, widely recognized for her leadership at the intersection of wealth management, technology, and banking. In her present role as managing director and head of wealth and advice solutions, she oversees nearly 3,000 employees and manages platforms serving over US $11.9 trillion in client assets (as of late 2025). From July 1, 2026, Hathi will lead a newly unified wealth advisory and banking services organization. This move combines Schwab’s advisory and banking arms into a single powerhouse, with the CEO of Charles Schwab Bank reporting directly to her.

Gunjan Kedia is the president and CEO of US Bancorp, the parent company of US Bank. As of March 2026, she is preparing for another significant milestone: she has been appointed chairman of the board of directors, a role she will officially assume following the annual shareholders’ meeting in April 2026. In her current role she oversees all of the bank’s business lines, including consumer and business banking, payment services, and wealth and investment services.

Sonali Pier is a managing director and portfolio manager at PIMCO, where she is a leading authority on credit markets and high-yield investing. With 21 years of investment experience, she is the lead portfolio manager for PIMCO’s diversified income strategies and co-manages the firm’s US leveraged finance desk.

Nishi Somaiya, partner and global co-head of wealth management at Goldman Sachs Group, is a key decision maker as global head of private banking, lending, and deposits at Goldman Sachs. Revenue generated from Somaiya’s business is a core growth area for Goldman. Her influence extends around Goldman and across the industry. In early 2026, she was elevated to her current role as part of a major leadership reshuffle at the firm. She is now one of the most senior leaders within the asset and wealth management division.

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