Two Indian American women have been recognized on the 2024 Women’s Leadership Diversity IMPACT 50 List by Career Mastered Magazine. This distinction will be celebrated during the Career Mastered National Women’s History Leadership Summit’s 10th Anniversary event in May, held in Detroit.
Dr. Malvika Iyer and Priya Kumar are the sole Indian American representatives on the list, curated by the magazine’s advisory board, editors, and partners across the nation. Each honoree was chosen based on their significant contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion throughout 2023. The overarching theme for this year’s list is ‘I AM RESILIENT.’
Dr. Malvika Iyer, an acclaimed disability rights activist, has earned recognition in the Diversity Leadership Award category. Despite surviving a devastating grenade blast at the age of 13, resulting in the amputation of both her hands, Iyer has transformed adversity into advocacy. With a doctorate in social work, she has garnered numerous accolades for her groundbreaking initiatives.
Through extensive media interviews, keynote speeches, and TED talks worldwide, Iyer has amplified awareness on crucial global issues such as inclusion, gender equality, mental health, child rights, and accessibility in various sectors. Her distinguished honors include the ‘Nari Shakti Puraskar,’ India’s highest civilian honor for exceptional contributions to women’s empowerment, presented to her at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2018.
Priya Kumar, acclaimed as an Emerging Diversity Leadership honoree, is a financial coach dedicated to empowering women in managing their finances and overcoming financial trauma. Drawing from her personal journey as a survivor, she has developed a tailored financial literacy program for nonprofit organizations aiding survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking.
Kumar’s initiatives extend to assisting entrepreneurs in enhancing their financial strategies through her program, Pivot My Profit, thereby fostering economic empowerment and resilience within marginalized communities.
