Priya Agarwal Hebbar among 5 Indians in WEF’s 2024 Young Global leaders
She is driving initiatives focused on environmental stewardship and social responsibility
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Limited & Non-Executive Director at Vedanta Limited, has been chosen as one of the five Indians to join the esteemed Young Global Leaders Class of 2024 by the World Economic Forum. This group of nearly 90 changemakers represents individuals under 40 from diverse fields such as politics, business, civil society, the arts, and academia, all committed to creating a lasting impact on society.
Established by the World Economic Forum in 2004, the Young Global Leaders Forum recognizes leaders under 40 who are dedicated to shaping the future and accelerating positive change through their innovative work. Priya's selection highlights her exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar expressed her gratitude in a tweet, saying, “I am honoured and delighted to be recognized as part of the prestigious WEF’s Young Global Leaders 2024 cohort. I look forward to learning and collaborating with young changemakers from across the globe who are shaping the future through positive social impact.”
In recent years, Priya has made significant strides for herself and women in the predominantly male-dominated mining and natural resources sector. At Vedanta, she is leading the company’s ESG (environmental, social, governance) transformation and driving initiatives focused on environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Priya's recent appointment as Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc led the integrated producer to achieve its highest-ever mined metal production, surpassing the 1 million tonne mark. She is dedicated to transforming the natural resources sector into a sustainable and inclusive industry, leading various pioneering initiatives such as the introduction of the first Battery Electric Vehicle in underground mining.
With focused efforts on decarbonization, water positivity, workplace safety, community welfare, and workforce diversity, Priya’s leadership is guiding Vedanta and HZL on a transformative journey to become industry leaders in ESG. Hindustan Zinc recently ranked No. 1 in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 in the metal and mining sector, while Vedanta Limited ranked 3rd. The conglomerate has pledged $5 billion over the next decade to accelerate the transition to net-zero operations. Vedanta also introduced an EV policy for all employees, incentivizing the switch to electric vehicles.
Priya led the development and implementation of a group-wide inclusion policy for transgender employees to promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. Additionally, Vedanta introduced a progressive parenthood policy, providing support to single parents and LGBTQIA+ employees, enhancing maternity benefits, and offering sabbatical and flexible work options for women. Guided by Priya’s vision for inclusivity, the organization aims to achieve a 40% representation of women in leadership roles by 2030.
Under her guidance, Vedanta’s philanthropic arm, the Anil Agarwal Foundation, invested approximately $240 million in the last five years towards socio-economic development in India. The group has modernized over 5500 Nand Ghars (child care centres/anganwadis) across India and committed to investing $625 million over the next five years for social impact. Priya leads the Foundation’s animal welfare project TACO - The Animal Care Organization, aiming for a more holistic approach to animal care in India. In her capacity, Priya founded the Youth Organization in Defence of Animals (YODA) in 2010, which has now become the largest animal welfare organization in Maharashtra.
The WEF’s Class of 2024 is recognized for their commitment to improving the state of the world and their exceptional contributions to addressing global challenges. These rising stars exemplify the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and leadership needed to tackle the world’s most pressing issues.
For over two decades, the Forum of Young Global Leaders has nurtured a dynamic community of leaders who are leading the charge for positive change. This community serves as a beacon of collective action, driving initiatives in public health, economic development, technology, and sustainability.
