Indiana Gov. Mike Braun presented trailblazing Indian American IT executive Rupal Thanawala with the Sagamore of the Wabash, one of the state’s highest civilian honors. Presented on July 23, the distinction acknowledges her leadership, community devotion, and professional contributions across the Hoosier state.
Born in Mumbai, Thanawala became the first person in her family to attend college, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Mumbai University, where she was the program’s first female student.
Raised with deep cultural roots, she later emigrated to the United States with her husband, Amit, settling in Indiana in 1998, where they raised their two sons, Ninad and Rahil. She went on to expand her education by earning an Executive MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
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Over a career spanning more than two decades, Thanawala has established a reputation as a goal-oriented IT executive specializing in global strategy execution, SAP rollouts, and enterprise resource planning for Fortune 500 corporations. Her expertise in secured supply chains, serialization, and track-and-trace systems has helped multinational clients navigate complex regulatory demands.
Operating with an entrepreneurial mindset, she has consistently managed project lifecycles, budgets, and vendor relations to deliver high returns on investment within strictly regulated industries. Beyond enterprise technology, Thanawala serves as CEO of Trident Systems and tech editor for the Indianapolis Recorder.
She also acts as board president of the Asian American Alliance, Inc. and co-chair for the 48th annual Black Data Processing Associates national conference.
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Recently named one of the region’s 250 most influential leaders by the Indianapolis Business Journal, her focus centers on building affinity programs, advocating for diversity and corporate responsibility, and clearing pathways for the next generation.
Accompanied by her husband during the ceremony, she reflected on her 28-year journey in Indiana, noting that the award symbolizes the welcoming nature of her adopted home.
Championing a philosophy of servant leadership, Thanawala emphasizes collaboration over individual recognition, crediting local organizations and community volunteers for sustaining her mission to ensure every resident finds a seat at the table.