S P Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) announces that alum Shalini Kapoor is one of 27 business school graduates named by AACSB International — the world’s largest business education alliance — to the 2022 Class of Influential Leaders. The annual initiative recognizes notable alumni from 900 AACSB-accredited business schools whose inspiring work serves as a model for the next generation of business leaders, with this year’s class featuring champions of diversity and inclusion.
Ms. Shalini Kapoor currently serves as IBM Fellow & CTO for AI, Climate & Sustainability – AI Applications, IBM. Shalini is the first woman IBM Fellow in India and as India’s CTO for AI Applications, she leads strategy and thought leadership on AI Infusion across all IBM’s global offerings. Known for incubating next-gen solutions, her current focus is on creating AI solutions that address climate risk, sustainability, and women’s participation in STEM. Shalini holds 14 patents and is a frequently published author and speaker.
SPJIMR Dean Dr Varun Nagaraj said “We are delighted that AACSB is recognizing Shalini’s contributions. Shalini truly exemplifies the values of our school with a commitment to technology and innovation for social good.”
“Shalini Kapoor’s achievements show us there are many ways to elevate the voices and perspectives of all. She inspires us to listen, learn, and act with authenticity and courage,” said Caryn Beck-Dudley, AACSB president and CEO. “It is a privilege to acknowledge her efforts and that of the entire 2022 Class of Influential Leaders.”
Now in its seventh year, AACSB’s Influential Leaders spotlight program recognizes more than 250 business school graduates who have created lasting impact in business and society. All honourees have earned an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree from one of the more than 900 AACSB-accredited business schools worldwide.
The 2022 honourees include advocates across businesses, non-profits, academia, and governments who are educating and empowering others to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for all. Together, they represent one facet of business education’s efforts to elevate diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the workforce and society—a key feature of AACSB’s 2020 business accreditation standards and the focus of a recently released positioning paper. The paper illustrates AACSB’s commitment to securing equitable access to high-quality business education globally, and calls on the business education community to embed the tenets of DEIB into strategy, culture, and operations.
The unique stories of each honouree, and how they are creating meaningful, lasting impact in the world, are available at aacsb.edu/influential-leaders.