The Faces of Leadership: Stories of XLRI’s Most Distinguished Alumni
October 27, 2025
By Vaave Team
From boardrooms to diplomatic circles, XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur has produced leaders who have shaped industries and inspired change. Established in 1949, XLRI is India’s oldest management institution and a pioneer in Human Resources education, renowned for developing leaders who combine business excellence with strong human values.
Guided by its mission of “For the Greater Good,” XLRI has nurtured alumni who have left their mark across diverse fields from Vikram Misri, India’s Foreign Secretary, to Leena Nair, the Global CEO of Chanel. Each of them reflects the institute’s legacy of ethical, people-centric leadership.
Let’s read on to discover the remarkable journeys of some of XLRI’s most distinguished alumni.
Vikram Misri
Date of Birth
7 November 1964
Place of Birth
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Schooling
Burn Hall School and DAV School in Srinagar Carmel Convent School in Udhampur Scindia School in Gwalior
Education
BA (Hons) in History – Hindu College, Delhi; MBA – XLRI Jamshedpur (1986 Batch)
Current Role
Foreign Secretary of India
Known For
Seasoned diplomat with key roles including Ambassador to China (2019-2021) Deputy National Security Advisor (2022-2024) Private Secretary to three Prime Ministers
Awards & Honors
Kamalnayan Bajaj Fellowship Aspen Institute’s India Leadership Initiative
Leena Nair
Date of Birth
11 June 1969
Place of Birth
Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Schooling
Holy Cross Convent High School and The New College, Kolhapur
Education
B.Tech in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering – Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli PGDM – XLRI Jamshedpur (1992 Batch)
Current Role
Global CEO, Chanel
Known For
Chief Human Resources Officer & Member of Unilever Leadership Executive (2016-2022) SVP Leadership and Organisation Development & Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Unilever (2013-2016) Executive Director & Vice President of HR, Unilever South Asia (2007-2012) First female, first Asian, and youngest-ever CHRO of Unilever
Awards & Honors
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 2025 HERoes in Business Women Role Model 2021 Great British Businesswoman’s Role Model of the Year 2021 Forbes Women Power list 2023
Vineet Nayar
Year of Birth
1962
Place of Birth
Pantnagar, Uttarakhand
Schooling
Campus School, Pantnagar
Education
B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar PGDM – XLRI Jamshedpur (1985 Batch)
Current Role
Founder Chairman & CEO, Sampark Foundation
Known For
Former CEO of HCL Technologies (2007 – 2013) Influential author and global thinker, Revolutionary “Employees First, Customers Second” management philosophy
Awards & Honors
Ranked 40th on “Thinkers 50 list of the world’s most influential management thinkers, 2011” CEO of the Year, Bloomberg UTVi CXO Awards (2012) Forbes Heroes of Philanthropy (2013, 2016) Foreign Policy Top 100 Global Thinkers (2016)
Co-founder of Mindtree Transforming it into a global IT leaderExtensive experience in IT services and venture capital
Awards & Honors
Ranked 28th on the 50 highest rated CEOs (Glassdoor), 2013 Chairman NASSCOM (2013)
Rakesh Kapoor
Date of Birth
4 August 1958
Place of Birth
Bareilly, India
Schooling
Modern School, New Delhi
Full Name
Rakesh Kapoor
Education
BE (Hons) in Chemical Engineering – BITS Pilani; MBA – XLRI Jamshedpur (1982 Batch)
Current Role
Founder & CEO, 12 Flags; Non-Executive Director, NHS England
Known For
Global CEO of Reckitt Benckiser from 2011-2019
Recognitions
Recognized for outstanding leadership in global consumer goods; Key role in major acquisitions like Boots Healthcare
B. Muthuraman
Date of Birth
26 September 1944
Place of Birth
Tamil Nadu, India
Education
B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering – IIT Madras; MBA – XLRI Jamshedpur (1966 Batch)
Known For
Ex-Vice Chairman, Tata Steel Ex-chairman of the board of governors of XLRI Jamshedpur and NIT, Jamshedpur Chairman of XIME, ChennaiLeading Tata Steel’s expansion and modernization as MD from 2005-2012, including key acquisitions like Corus
Awards & Honors
Padma Bhushan (2012) Nominated as the chairman of the board of governors of IIT Kharagpur by the Honorable President of India Pratibha Patil Distinguished Alumnus Award XLRI Multiple industry leadership recognitions
From B. Muthuraman’s transformative leadership at Tata Steel to Rakesh Kapoor’s global success at Reckitt Benckiser, and Vineet Nayar’s visionary management philosophy, XLRI alumni continue to exemplify what it means to lead with both intellect and empathy. Their journeys reflect the institute’s enduring values — integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to people.
As XLRI continues to shape the next generation of leaders, its alumni stand as living proof of its timeless mission — to create professionals who not only excel in business but also uplift the world around them. Their achievements remind us why XLRI remains a name synonymous with leadership that is driven by purpose, guided by values, and inspired by the greater good.
Vaave helps institutions and corporate entities across the globe in realizing the power of alumni and offers strategies for engaging them. We offer a full-fledged alumni management ecosystem that helps you to leverage alumni to its fullest.
Drop in your details at hello@vaave.com & +91 91006 88850, we will get in touch with you at the drop of a hat!
