The American India Foundation (AIF) has successfully raised over $4.2 million at its recent annual New York Gala held at Cipriani Wall Street. These funds are earmarked for AIF’s initiatives aimed at empowering women through job acquisition, financial literacy, maternal health, and careers in STEM. AIF collaborates with various levels of government—central, state, and local—to effectively implement its health, education, and livelihood programs.
The gala was hosted by Indian American comedian Zarna Garg and honored two notable individuals: Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard, and Falguni Nayar, founder and CEO of Nykaa, a prominent Indian beauty and wellness brand.
Recognizing their outstanding contributions, AIF CEO Nishant Pandey stated, “Michael and Falguni are true exemplars of inspirational, passionate leaders who advance AIF’s mission to drive sustainable, social and economic change. We are ever grateful for their partnership and to the generosity of all our supporters, corporate and government partners, donors, and friends, thanks to whom, AIF has reached 18.88 million lives across 35 states and union territories of India.”
During the event, Michael Miebach emphasized the beneficial collaboration between AIF and Mastercard, which has positively influenced over 220,000 Indian students through STEM education initiatives. “Our goal is to extend Girls4Tech to 500,000 girls across India by 2027, translating ideas into concrete actions,” Miebach said.
Falguni Nayar unveiled a new three-year partnership between AIF and Nykaa focused on advancing STEM education for girls. “With India’s female literacy rate significantly trailing behind that of males, this collaboration seeks to provide girls with the resources to pursue their passions and dreams,” Nayar explained.
The gala also showcased compelling videos and speeches that highlighted AIF’s impactful work. The 2024 New York Gala, noted as AIF’s most successful to date, received major support from sponsors such as Goldman Sachs Gives, Mastercard, and Salesforce.
