Indian Origin Executives Appointed CEOs At 2 Major US Companies Amid H-1B Fee Hike

Indian-origin executives ascend to CEO positions at major US companies following H-1B fee increase

Srinivasan Gopalan (left) and Rahul Goyal (right).

Two prominent American corporations have named executives of Indian descent as their new CEOs, shortly after President Donald Trump implemented a $100,000 fee increase for H-1B visas.

Telecommunications leader T-Mobile has selected COO Srinivasan Gopalan to serve as CEO beginning November 1. Gopalan will replace Mike Sievert, who has guided the company since 2020 and will transition to a newly established position as Vice Chairman.

Meanwhile, brewing company Molson Coors has appointed its Chief Strategy Officer, Rahul Goyal, as CEO effective October 1. Goyal will take over from Gavin Hattersley, who is retiring at year's end but will remain in an advisory capacity through December 31 to facilitate a seamless leadership transition.

Who Is Srinivasan Gopalan?

Srinivasan Gopalan is a business executive of Indian origin with extensive experience across India's telecommunications, finance, and technology sectors. His distinguished career includes senior positions at Deutsche Telekom, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Capital One, Accenture, and Unilever.

Prior to his CEO appointment, Gopalan served as T-Mobile's Chief Operating Officer. According to his LinkedIn profile, he completed his education at St Stephen's College in New Delhi and earned an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.

His personal interests include cricket, blues music, running, and attending live concert performances.

Who Is Rahul Goyal?

Rahul Goyal is an Indian-origin executive currently serving as Chief Strategy Officer at Molson Coors.

His career with Molson Coors spans over two decades, beginning in 2001, during which he has held numerous strategic roles including Vice President of Corporate Strategy and M&A, Chief Information Officer for the UK operations, and Chief Financial Officer for the company's India division.

Before joining Molson Coors, Goyal worked as an engineer in India, according to his LinkedIn profile.

His educational background includes a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Mysore University and both an MBA and Master of Science degree from the University of Denver.

Trump's H-1B Visa Fee Hike

The Trump administration recently introduced a substantial one-time fee of $100,000 for new H-1B visa applications. Implemented on September 21, the measure aims to prioritize American workers over foreign labor. This fee specifically targets new applicants within a one-year timeframe and does not impact existing visa holders or renewals. The policy does include provisions for exemptions in cases where hiring a foreign worker serves the national interest.