20. Kirthi Mani

Kirthi is CLA’s first chief people officer, driving people solutions, internal communications and PR, learning and development, and connections to ensure talent, culture, and innovation fuel CLA’s success. As a member of CLA’s board of directors, she shapes the firm’s long-term strategy and governance. 

Previously, as managing principal of CLA New York, Kirthi led a transformative expansion, tripling the practice in 2.5 years and launching The Gateway, CLA’s cutting-edge Manhattan hub for global business. She also help built CLA’s Global Advisory Practice, helping businesses navigate international expansion and regulatory challenges. 

A recognized thought leader, Kirthi speaks at global conferences and contributes to the US Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA Investment Guide and the World Bank’s “Doing Business in the United States” guide. Kirthi serves as a board member of BCT, a trust in India dedicated to combating hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. She is also a mentor for the SelectUSA Women in Tech Cohort, an initiative by the US Department of Commerce that supports female founders from around the world in achieving success in the United States.