Shuchita Sonalika
Shuchita Sonalika is the Director and Head–North America at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), where she leads initiatives to strengthen India’s economic engagement with the United States and Canada. Based in Washington, D.C., she oversees a wide portfolio that includes business conferences, trade and investment missions, and policy-oriented research projects. With a strong focus on fostering bilateral and multilateral partnerships, she plays a key role in advancing dialogue between governments, industries, and institutions to support sustainable economic growth and strategic cooperation.
With over 17 years of experience in international trade and economic policy, Sonalika has developed deep expertise in India–US, India–UK, and India–Canada relations across sectors such as agriculture, defense, energy, infrastructure, education, and small and medium enterprises. Prior to her current role, she was based in London, where she contributed to strengthening India–UK economic ties during a pivotal period shaped by Brexit, helping lay groundwork for long-term trade agreements. She began her career with CII’s International Division in New Delhi, supporting projects that promoted Indian industry across global markets including North America, Russia, and Mexico, following earlier work in international marketing and communications consulting.
Sonalika holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Her work sits at the intersection of policy, geopolitics, and business facilitation, where she is known for her commitment to ethical leadership, inclusivity, and amplifying diverse voices in global forums. Outside of her professional endeavors, she is an avid national parks enthusiast who enjoys painting and photography.
• University of Maryland-School of Public Policy - MPM
• Fellowship with the Aspen Institute (Ananda Aspen Center)
• Women's Empowerment
• Food Security
• Wildlife Conservation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistent, long-term commitment to policy work, even when results take time to emerge. Support from mentors and timely moments of opportunity have also played a key role in my growth.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering my industry to never hesitate to speak up, ask questions, and actively participate in discussions. It is important to ensure that women’s voices are represented and heard, helping to shape conversations and influence meaningful outcomes.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is that public policy and trade processes often move slowly and are influenced by shifting geopolitical dynamics. At the same time, there are significant opportunities in advancing meaningful trade agreements and strengthening economic partnerships—such as recent progress in India–UK relations and ongoing India–US discussions—which can open new avenues for trade and investment.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are ethics, moral clarity, and authenticity in leadership. I also strongly believe in ensuring equal standing for diverse voices and having the courage to speak up when it matters.
Locations
Confederation of Indian Industry
Sterling, VA 20165