New Delhi, 29th June 2023: Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank, has been named to the list of ‘Great Immigrants’ for 2023, which recognises individuals who have strengthened America through their contributions. Carnegie Corporation, a New York-based philanthropic institution, created the list.
Pedro Pascal, the popular Chilean actor and star of HBO’s drama series “The Last of Us,” is also among the honourees, as is Vietnamese-born actor Ke Huy Quan, who won an Oscar this year for Best Supporting Actor in “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.”
Ajay Banga will be the first Indian American to manage the World Bank in June 2023. He is the lone Indian on the list this year.
The World Bank President began his career in India, where he worked for 13 years at Nestle India and two years at PepsiCo. He joined Citigroup in 1996 and rose through the ranks to become CEO of the Asia-Pacific region. He relocated to the United States and served as President and CEO of Mastercard for 12 years.
Banga was the Vice Chairman of General Atlantic before joining the World Bank. He co-founded the Cyber Readiness Institute and served as vice-chair of the Economic Club of New York.
Banga has received the Padma Shri, as well as the Foreign Policy Association Medal and the Ellis Island Medal of Honour.
This year’s list recognised 35 people from 33 nations who operate as educators, mentors, philanthropists, job creators, public servants, storytellers, and campaigners.
Aside from Ajay Banga, Pedro Pascal, and Ke Huy Quan, the foundation also honoured World Trade Organisation Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who was born in Nigeria, US Congressman Ted Lieu, who was born in Taiwan, Grammy Award-Winning Singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ang lique Kidjo, who was born in Benin, Polish-born Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at Cornell University and Nobel Laureate Roald Hoffmann, and
Carnegie Corporation of New York President Dame Louise Richardson stated, “The 35 naturalised citizens honoured today embody that tradition, reminding us that the contributions of immigrants make our country more vibrant and our democracy more resilient.”
