At a time when the United States is facing widespread debate over President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, two major US corporations have appointed Indian-origin executives to their top leadership positions. T-Mobile has named Srinivas “Srini” Gopalan as its next CEO, effective November 1, 2025, while Molson Coors Beverage Company has announced Rahul Goyal as its incoming CEO, effective October 1, 2025. Their elevation is being closely watched in the backdrop of mounting immigration policy tensions, highlighting the rising influence of Indian-origin leaders in shaping global corporations despite political and regulatory headwinds.
Who is Srinivas Gopalan appointed as T-Mobile CEO
T-Mobile confirmed that current Chief Operating Officer Srini Gopalan will succeed Mike Sievert as Chief Executive Officer on November 1. Sievert will move into a new role as Vice Chairman of the company. Gopalan, an alumnus of Delhi Public School, RK Puram, and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, began his career at Unilever India and later worked at Accenture. He went on to hold senior roles at Vodafone, Bharti Airtel, Capital One, and most recently, served as CEO of Deutsche Telekom Germany before joining T-Mobile as COO in March 2025. Known for driving 5G expansion, digital transformation, and customer satisfaction, his leadership marks a carefully planned succession for T-Mobile.
Who is Rahul Goyal appointed as CEO of Molson Coors
Molson Coors Beverage Company, one of the largest global brewing companies, announced Rahul Goyal as its new CEO, succeeding Gavin Hattersley on October 1. Goyal has been with the company since 2001, rising through leadership roles that included Global CIO, CFO in India, and, most recently Chief Strategy Officer. He holds a Bachelor’s in Engineering from the University of Mysore and a Master’s degree in Business from the University of Denver, Daniels College of Business. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Goyal’s long tenure and experience in global strategy and operations position him to steer the company through shifting consumer trends and rising trade tariffs in the US market.
H-1B visa row
The timing of these appointments comes as the Trump administration’s controversial $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications unsettles professionals and companies reliant on high-skilled migration. While the White House clarified that the fee applies only to new applications, Indian IT professionals—who make up a majority of H-1B recipients—face uncertainty. The rise of leaders like Gopalan and Goyal reinforces how Indian-origin professionals have become integral to US corporations, joining the ranks of Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Arvind Krishna in shaping corporate America.
Significance of these appointments
The appointments of Srinivas Gopalan and Rahul Goyal not only underscore the global impact of Indian-origin talent but also send a signal of resilience and diversity from corporate America. As US companies adapt to geopolitical and policy changes, elevating leaders with international experience is increasingly seen as a competitive advantage. Their rise reflects the continued story of how skilled immigration has transformed the leadership of top American firms, even as immigration policies grow more restrictive.
