Raj Gupta is a distinguished global business leader and philanthropist whose journey reflects determination, leadership, and lasting impact. Born in a small village in Uttar Pradesh, India, he arrived in the United States in 1968 with just eight dollars to pursue graduate studies at Cornell University. He went on to build a remarkable 39-year career at Rohm and Haas, a Fortune 500 specialty materials company, ultimately serving as Chairman and CEO until his retirement in 2009.Throughout his career, Raj served as a director on numerous public company boards, including Hewlett Packard, DuPont, Airgas, Avantor, and Delphi/Aptiv, contributing strategic leadership across diverse industries. Academically, he holds a B.Tech (Hons) from IIT Bombay, an MS from Cornell University, and an MBA from Drexel University.Following retirement, Raj and his wife Kamla founded the Ujala Foundation, supporting education and healthcare initiatives in both India and the United States. Through philanthropy and mentorship, Raj continues to inspire future generations — embodying the power of vision, perseverance, and giving back.
