Why Corporate America's Boardrooms Are Becoming More Indian Than Ever

After decades of climbing the executive ranks at US companies, more men of Indian descent are now entering the boardroom.  A record 16 Indian men joined S&P 500 boards this year, taking directorships at companies including Walmart Inc., Southwest Airlines Co. and Western Digital Corp., according to ISS-Corporate and data provider Equilar. Only White men and women added more seats. The surge caps a longer shift. The share of Indian men among directors at Fortune 500 and S&P 500 companies has tripled since 2018, outpacing increases for women, Black and Hispanic directors, according to data from James Drury Partners.The boardroom gains come as companies put increased emphasis on directors with chief executive officer or operating experience - credentials that many Indian business leaders have accumulated after decades in the US, according to recruiters and the executives themselves.