Nita M. Ambani

Founder-Chairperson — Reliance Foundation

About Nita M. Ambani

Key facts Role: Founder-chairperson Organisation: Reliance Foundation Country: India Sector: Philanthropy and sport Headline figures: Reports reaching over 97 million Indians; works in nearly 100,000 villages At Reliance Industries' annual general meeting in 2026, Nita Ambani used the group's biggest annual stage to announce a new university, a 1,500-bed medical hub in Mumbai and a veterinary and wildlife-conservation university. The announcements set out an agenda spanning education, health and sport. "Over the last 16 years, Reliance Foundation has touched the lives of over 97 million Indians across every single state of India," she said (Fortune India, 19 June 2026). The role As founder-chairperson of Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Reliance group, Ambani decides where one of India's largest corporate social programmes puts its money and people. The foundation says it works in nearly 100,000 villages, which she described as "almost one in every six villages of India". Its work covers rural development, healthcare, women's empowerment, education, disaster relief and sport. By her account at the AGM, it has helped one million women entrepreneurs and nearly 200,000 young people into jobs, and has reached more than 23 million people through rural transformation programmes. Its Education and Sports for All programme has reached more than 29 million children and young people. “Over the last 16 years, Reliance Foundation has touched the lives of over 97 million Indians across every single state of India,” — Ambani (Fortune India, 19 June 2026) The Reliance link Her influence also runs through the parent company. Ambani stepped down from the board of Reliance Industries in August 2023 to devote herself to the foundation, but the board decided that she would "attend all the RIL Board meetings as a permanent invitee" so the company could continue to benefit from her advice (RIL media release, 28 August 2023). She is married to Mukesh Ambani, the group's chairman and managing director. At the same meeting the board recommended their three children as non-executive directors. The family link is central to her position. The 2026 plans The 2026 announcements are among the largest in the foundation's history. The Maharashtra government has approved a new state private university. Its permanent campus at Dronagiri will cover 410 acres, with seven schools spanning engineering and computing, management, law and governance, humanities, medical sciences and public health, architecture and education, and an emphasis on artificial intelligence. The foundation stone was laid for Vantara University, focused on wildlife conservation and veterinary science. In healthcare, Reliance is modernising Mumbai's Seven Hills Hospital as part of an integrated medical hub with a planned 1,500 beds. More than 450 beds will be reserved for economically weaker patients through a partnership with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Sport Sport is where her reach is most international. She is the only Indian member of the International Olympic Committee and has sat on it since 2016. In February 2026 she met IOC President Kirsty Coventry at the 145th IOC Session during the Milano Cortina Winter Games (CNBC-TV18, 9 February 2026). The foundation now concentrates on Olympic sports in which, she said, India has the greatest potential: archery, athletics, boxing, shooting, wrestling and badminton. Athletes it supports won 386 national and international medals in the past year. This matters because India is pursuing a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. At its 146th Session in June 2026 the IOC added a "Strategic Dialogue" phase to host selection, with a shortlist due in March 2027 and a decision expected by mid-2029 (Sportstar/PTI, 24 June 2026). What to watch: the opening timetable for the Dronagiri university and Seven Hills hub, her role in India's 2036 Olympic bid as the IOC shortlist approaches, and how the foundation's priorities evolve as the next generation takes a larger role in the group. She ranks tenth because she controls one of India's largest philanthropic machines, has a standing voice in Reliance's boardroom, and holds India's only seat in the Olympic movement's governing body. Sources Fortune India, RIL AGM 2026: Reliance Foundation reaches 97 million Indians; unveils university, healthcare projects , 19 Jun 2026 Reliance Industries media release, RIL Board recommends appointment of Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani and Anant Ambani…; Nita Ambani to step down from the Board , 28 Aug 2023 CNBC-TV18, Nita Ambani meets IOC President during 145th Session for Winter Olympics 2026 , 9 Feb 2026 Sportstar / The Hindu (PTI), IOC to decide 2036 Olympic host in mid-2029 as India's bid enters reformed selection process , 24 Jun 2026

Why this entry is on the list

She ranks tenth because she controls one of India's largest philanthropic machines, has a standing voice in Reliance's boardroom, and holds India's only seat in the Olympic movement's governing body. Reliance Foundation says it works in nearly 100,000 villages, and she attends all RIL board meetings as a permanent invitee.