Leena Tewari – Chairperson of USV Private Limited

Leena Tewari – Chairperson of USV Private Limited

Leena Tewari is an Indian businessperson and author. She the Chairperson of USV Private Limited, a leading Indian pharmaceutical company that specializes in developing and manufacturing high-quality, affordable medicines. She is also the daughter of the late Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi, who co-founded USV in 1961. 

Early life 

Leena Tewari was born on 9th March 1957 in Mumbai, India, and is the daughter of the late Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi, who co-founded USV Private Limited, and his wife Mridula Gandhi. She grew up in Mumbai and completed her schooling at J.B. Petit High School for Girls. 

After completing her schooling, Leena Tewari pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Mumbai University. She then went on to complete her Master of Science degree in Industrial Microbiology from the University of Baroda. 

Following her education, Leena Tewari joined USV in 1992 as a management trainee and started working in various departments of the company to gain a comprehensive understanding of the business. She gradually rose through the ranks and was appointed as the Chairperson of USV Private Limited in 2018. 

Career 

Leena Tewari started her career in 1992 as a management trainee at USV Private Limited, a leading Indian pharmaceutical company. Over the years, she worked in various roles and departments within the company, gaining valuable experience and knowledge.  

In 2004, Leena Tewari was appointed as the Executive Director of USV, responsible for overseeing the company’s operations and growth. Under her leadership, USV expanded its product portfolio, entered new markets, and invested in research and development to drive innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.  

In 2013, Leena Tewari was appointed as the Chairperson of USV, becoming the first woman to lead the company. In this role, she has continued to drive USV’s growth and success, focusing on innovation, quality, and sustainability. She has also played a significant role in the company’s international growth; as a result, USV now has a presence in more than 50 nations. 

In addition to her role at USV, Leena Tewari is also actively involved in various industry and business organizations. She is a member of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and has served on the National Committee on Pharmaceuticals. She is also a member of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and has served on its Executive Committee. 

Philanthropist 

• Leena Tewari is a strong advocate for corporate social responsibility and is committed to giving back to society. She has established the Vithal Gandhi Foundation, which focuses on improving access to healthcare and education in underserved communities in India. It has teamed up with a number of institutions and non-profit organisations to fund initiatives that seek to improve the health and happiness of children and families. 
• In addition, Leena Tewari has also been actively involved in supporting education initiatives. She has established the Vithal Balkrishna Gandhi Chair in Pharmaceutical Engineering at the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai, which aims to promote research and innovation in the field of pharmaceutical engineering.  
• The Hurun India Philanthropy List 2019 ranked her at #23 for her donation of 34 crore (US$4 million). 
• According to the Hurun Report India Philanthropy List 2019, she came in at number three on the list of women philanthropists. 

Leena Tewari’s Path to Success 

After completing her education, Leena Tewari joined USV in 1992 as a management trainee and gradually rose through the ranks to become the Chairperson of the company, USV Private Limited. She has played a key role in the growth and expansion of the company, which now has a presence in over 50 countries around the world. 

Under Leena Tewari’s leadership, USV has focused on research and development and has launched several innovative products in the market. The company has also made significant investments in technology and infrastructure to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and maintain high quality standards. She has been successful in driving growth and expansion at USV and has played a key role in making the company a leading player in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Networth 

As of 2023, Leena Tewari had an estimated net worth of over Rs 30,000 crore and became the second-richest woman in India. 

Interesting Facts about Leena Tewari 

• Tewari wrote a book called Beyond Pipes and Dreams in 2013, which is a biography of her grandfather, Vithal Gandhi. 
• Tewari enjoys exploring Indian forests because of her liking of animals. 
• Leena Tewari is a trained classical dancer and is passionate about Indian classical music and dance. 

ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS 

• Leena Tewari has frequently been on Business Today’s list of the most influential women in Indian business. 
• Leena Tewari was honoured with the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Institute of Chemical Technology in 2017. 
• Leena Tewari received the Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC) Ladies’ Wing Woman of the Year Award in 2017 for her contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and for her philanthropic work. 
• Leena Tewari was featured in Businessworld’s list of the most influential women in India in 2018. 
• Leena Tewari was named one of AsiaOne’s 50 most influential Indians in 2018. 
• Leena Tewari was awarded the AIMA JRD Tata Corporate Leadership Award in 2018 for her leadership and contribution to the pharmaceutical industry. 
• In 2019, Leena Tewari received the Economic Times Women Ahead Award for her contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and for her philanthropic work. 
• The Hurun India Philanthropy List 2019 ranked her at #23 for her donation of 34 crore (US$4 million). 
• According to the Hurun Report India Philanthropy List 2019, she came in at number three on the list of women philanthropists. 
• In 2020, Leena Tewari was recognised as an iconic woman creating a better world for all by the FICCI FLO (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organization). 
• In 2021, Leena Tewari was recognised as a Forbes India W-Power Trailblazer for her contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and for her philanthropic work.