Natasha Poonawalla

About

Natasha Poonawalla, who has a master’s from the London School of Economics, serves as executive director of the Serum Institute of India (SII), one of the world’s largest vaccine manufacturers. In fact, according to estimates, about 65% of the children in the world receive at least one vaccine manufactured by SII, headed by her husband Adar. SII is a part of her family business, the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, for which she works on creative and business strategy. She is also chairperson of Poonawalla Science Park, a venture dedicated to the development of cutting-edge science and technology initiatives, and Serum Life Sciences. Poonawalla is also the chairperson of her family’s foundation, the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation, which was launched in 2012 with a special focus on education, healthcare, safe water and environmental sanitation. She also serves as director of the Poonawalla Science Park in the Netherlands, chair of the British Asian Children’s Protection Fund for India and is a member of the British Asian Trust’s India Advisory Council. Along with her prominent business and philanthropic roles, Poonawalla is also globally known as a powerful fashion icon for her sense of personal style. She is seen regularly in the front row at the coveted Paris Couture Week, at the prestigious Met Gala, and is also a regular at the CFDA Fashion Awards, popularly known as the ‘fashion Oscars’.