Leadership perspectives: A conversation with Ireena Vittal, independent director
CEO & Board of Directors

Leadership perspectives: A conversation with Ireena Vittal, independent director

Heidrick & Struggles’ Suresh Raina speaks with Ireena Vittal, an independent director currently serving on multiple boards.
November 17, 2025
22m to watch
Ireena Vittal
About the interviewee
Ireena Vittal
Independent director

Ireena serves as an independent director on several major company boards, including Asian Paints, Godrej Consumer Products, Wipro, Diageo, Compass Group and others. She was earlier a partner at McKinsey for 16 years, advising global and Indian consumer facing companies on entry strategy, portfolio turnaround, organizational redesign, mergers and scaling.

Heidrick & Struggles’ Suresh Raina speaks with Ireena Vittal, an independent director currently serving on multiple boards. Drawing on her extensive experience advising and governing both global and Indian organizations, Vittal shares the core traits that distinguish thriving leaders. She explores the key elements of achieving continuous growth, building a trusted circle of advisors to strengthen decision-making, fostering an organizational culture that drives performance, and maintaining a commitment to lifelong learning. 

Throughout the conversation, she highlights intellectual humility, growth-oriented leadership, and the importance of leaders staying true to their authentic selves.

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