Punita Kumar-Sinha
Punita Kumar-Sinha is a senior investment professional with over 30 years of experience in investment management, specializing in emerging and international markets. She has led teams and business units focused on Asian equity funds at prominent firms such as Blackstone Asia Advisors, CIBC Oppenheimer, and Batterymarch. In addition to her fund management experience, she serves as an independent director for several companies, including Tata Capital, Aadhar Housing Finance, and Marelli, and has been actively involved with the CFA Institute and Infosys boards. Punita is also a recognized thought leader on global markets and frequently shares her insights as an anchor and speaker on ET Now and other media platforms.
Throughout her career, Punita has been a pioneer in emerging markets investing, being among the first U.S. investors to enter India in the early 1990s. She managed a large U.S.-listed India fund for nearly 15 years, earning a Lipper Award for best-performing closed fund over a decade. Transitioning to board roles in 2012, she has provided governance guidance, investment committee oversight, and strategic advice to corporations and nonprofits worldwide. Her professional philosophy emphasizes integrity, diligence, and staying ahead of industry developments without cutting corners.
Punita holds a PhD in Finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an undergraduate engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, where she was one of very few women in her cohort. She is a CFA charterholder and an active member of professional organizations, including the National Association of Corporate Directors, Women Corporate Directors Network, the Council on Foreign Relations, and TiE. Over the years, she has been recognized among the “Most Influential Women” by BW Businessworld and listed as a “Director to Watch” for her contributions to diversity and corporate governance.
• CFA Institute Charterholder
• Drexel University- Master's
• Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi- B.Tech.
• The Wharton School- Master's
• BW Businessworld - ‘Most Influential Women’
• 2019 Directors to Watch: Racial and Ethnic Diversity
• Award for Best Woman Director in India
• Distinguished Alumni Award from IIT Delhi
• Performance of Indian classical dance with professional troupe
• Boston Security Analysts
• CFA Institute
• Council of Foreign Relations
• TiE
• Dramatics Representative for Hostel
• Badminton Captain for Women's team
• Women Corporate Directors
• National Association of Corporate Directors
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the unwavering support of my family—especially my father, who ensured I had the same resources and opportunities as sons in a male-dominated field—combined with hard work, integrity, and strategic early investments that built credibility and opened doors.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to follow my dreams and pursue them fully—my father promised me the same support he would give a son, and my husband has been a constant coach and sounding board throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to speak up, stay ahead by continuously updating your skills, and find a niche early where you can excel and potentially become a future leader.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are navigating a male-dominated industry and keeping pace with rapid changes driven by AI, new asset classes, and low-cost competitors. The greatest opportunities lie in anticipating these shifts, acquiring new skills, and establishing expertise early in emerging areas.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, honesty, hard work, and having the courage to speak up.