December 3, 2024— Today, the Project Management Institute (PMI) celebrates 50 exceptional rising leaders who are transforming the world by leveraging their project management skills to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. As shown on the 2024 Future 50 list, these young leaders – all 35 and under – represent a diverse cohort of project professionals, including 6 from South Asia, who are reshaping the future across industries like healthcare, environmental science, technology, and social justice.
These standout professionals are building, creating, and leading transformative projects that not only solve complex problems, but also help pave the way for a more inclusive, sustainable future. As they demonstrate, effective project management and project professionals have the power to create meaningful change.
The recognition of these 50 leaders comes at a time when project management is more vital than ever. The world needs 2.5 million new project professionals each year by 2030 to fill the talent gap. As AI, climate change, and other macrotrends transform industries and create new opportunities for innovation, the demand for skilled project managers capable of driving this transformation has never been higher. Project management is ranked one of the top ten in-demand skills for 2024, according to a LinkedIn report.
“Many of the critical and complex challenges the world is facing will have to be addressed by a new generation of project professionals,” said Pierre Le Manh, President and Chief Executive Officer at PMI. “It is inspiring to see how they are channeling their passion, talent, and creativity to address climate change, technological disruption, inequality, and other pressing issues in our societies. They demonstrate the true power of project management to drive meaningful change, and we are proud to celebrate their contributions.”
Elaborating further on the Future 50’s significance, Mr. Amit Goyal, Managing Director, South Asia, said, “The PMI Future 50 exemplifies the transformative power of project management in shaping a better world. These outstanding young executives, who come from diverse backgrounds, are using their project management expertise to tackle the most important issues facing India and the rest of the globe. Their significant initiatives, which range from fostering inclusivity and increasing sustainability to spurring technological innovation, highlight the critical role that qualified project managers play in creating a more sustainable future for everybody. We are immensely proud to honor their accomplishments and the motivational work they are doing to bring about constructive change.”
Among the Future 50 honorees from India are Ananta Gopal Metange, spearheading a groundbreaking $10 million project for Collins Aerospace to localize Airbus Nacelle Cowl hardware. Ankita Bhatia, a senior program manager at Adobe, demonstrates exceptional business acumen. Kaushik Chandra L, recognized as a top performer, oversaw the complex execution of a rural drinking water project impacting over 200 villages in Karnataka. Swati Pundir, a trailblazer in AI, led a generative AI pilot project and Yazhinidevi Devarajan, founder of the award-winning Betawinds, empowers youth through soft skills training.