Neerja Sethi

Neerja Sethi and her husband Bharat Desai started Syntel, an IT consulting and outsourcing firm, in 1980 in their Troy, Mich. Apartment with $2,000. In its first year, the company only brought in $30,000 in revenue. Today it employs more than 25,000 people and boasts a recent market cap of $3.6 billion. Sethi served as Syntel's treasurer during its first 16 years of operations and is currently the vice president of corporate affairs, a role she has had since the company's inception. She also sits on the board of directors alongside her husband, who remains chairman. Born in India, Sethi holds an undergraduate degree in mathematics, a masters degree in computer science, and an MBA in operations research. Bachelor of Arts / Science, Delhi University; Master of Science, Oakland University; Master of Business Administration, Delhi University