TIME Magazine has named Neal Mohan, the Indian-origin Chief Executive Officer of YouTube, as its 2025 CEO of the Year.
Mohan’s journey—spanning continents, industries, and decades—embodies the evolving story of global leadership. From his early days in Indiana and Lucknow to leading one of the world’s most influential platforms, his path reflects adaptability, discipline, and vision.
TIME described YouTube as “the cultural diet that the world now subsists on,” calling Mohan “the farmer; what he cultivates will be what we eat.” At 51, he now joins the select circle of Indian-origin leaders transforming the American tech landscape—alongside Sundar Pichai of Alphabet, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe.
Early Life and Education
Born in Indiana to Dr. Aditya and Deepa Mohan, Neal spent his early childhood in Michigan before moving with his family to Lucknow at age 12. Adjusting to a new country and language, he immersed himself in Hindi and Sanskrit—languages he credits for sharpening his logic and analytical thinking.
Mohan returned to the U.S. to earn his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, followed by an MBA in General Management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he graduated as an Arjay Miller Scholar, a distinction reserved for the top ten percent of his class.
Building the Future of Digital Media
Mohan started his career at Accenture in 1996, soon moving to DoubleClick, where he played a pivotal role in shaping online advertising strategy. After DoubleClick’s acquisition by Google in 2008, he became Senior Vice President of Display and Video Ads, later transitioning to YouTube in 2015 as Chief Product Officer.
In 2023, Mohan succeeded Susan Wojcicki as CEO of YouTube, leading the platform through one of the most transformative phases in media history. His leadership extends beyond corporate walls—he has served on multiple global boards, including Starbucks, 23andMe, The Council on Foreign Relations, and the Paley Center for Media.
Shaping Global Culture
TIME notes that under Mohan’s leadership, YouTube is redefining how the world consumes and creates culture. “YouTube provides the soil,” it wrote, “and everyone comes and plants whatever nourishing—or noxious—plants they care to.”
Known for his calm and deliberative nature, Mohan balances immense responsibility with grounded simplicity. Outside boardrooms, he’s a sports enthusiast, a family man, and, in TIME’s words, “surprisingly mellow” for someone steering one of the world’s most powerful cultural engines.
Reflecting on YouTube’s influence, Mohan told TIME, “The entire dynamics of the media industry are changing before our eyes… it’s incredibly disruptive, and if you don’t adapt, you can be left by the wayside.” His guiding philosophy remains steady: “to give everyone a voice.”
