Victor Menezes: A Legacy of Excellence, Humility, and Inspiration

“It might not change the world, but it does try to light a small candle.”
— Victor Menezes

Victor Menezes, distinguished banker and proud alumnus of IIT Bombay’s Class of 1970, passed away on February 2, 2025, at the age of 77. His extraordinary journey spanned from IIT Bombay to the MIT Sloan School of Management, culminating in a remarkable 32-year career at Citibank, where he rose to become Senior Vice Chairman, setting a precedent for future generations of Indian professionals.

A Young Dreamer at IIT Bombay

In the late 1960s, when IIT Bombay was still growing into the world-class institution we see today, the campus landscape was dynamic and evolving, filled with curiosity and ambition. It was in this vibrant setting that Victor first made his mark. One of his juniors at IIT Bombay, Mr. Raj Nair (Class of 1971), fondly recalls:

“He was a giant amongst students in my time—a well-mannered, multi-talented, confident but understated student whose five years at IIT Bombay enriched the campus in multiple ways.”

Victor not only excelled academically but was also an outstanding debater. Alongside Atul Tandon (Hostel 6), he consistently secured top positions in national debating championships, inspiring many juniors:

“Victor inspired other mortals like us who were junior to him to aspire for bigger things than we would normally have attempted.”

In 1967 as a young student, Victor appeared in the documentary I Am 20, capturing the voice of a generation born at India’s independence. With characteristic wit, he shared his aspirations to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS):

“For some people, security is a warm blanket. For me, security is a government job. I would like to join the IAS, sit in a comfortable chair in an air-conditioned room, sign a couple of files, write my comments in the margin, drink cups of coffee, attend meetings, and just sort of be a cog in the machine. What more do you want me to do? I must join government service. I would like to marry my boss’s daughter if I could—don’t ask me why.”

At the time, these words reflected those of a young student contemplating his future. However, life would take him on a path far beyond what he had envisioned.

Rise to Global Prominence 

After IIT Bombay, Victor went on to pursue higher studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management, paving the way for a truly exceptional global career. His extensive career at Citibank, marked by a remarkable rise to the position of Senior Vice Chairman, shattered glass ceilings and inspired countless others. Mr. Nair shares:

“Mr Menezes’ professional progress to the very top in Citibank made many Indians believe that merit can actually help us break the strong glass ceiling in the West. At first, there was Victor Menezes, and then there was a flood.”

A Mentor, Teacher, and Philanthropist 

At MIT Sloan, Victor further distinguished himself not only as a successful banker but also as an inspiring mentor and lecturer. Mr. Shiva Venkatraman, an IIT Bombay alumnus from the Class of 1988, who first met Victor at MIT Sloan, while attending some of his guest lectures, warmly remembers his unique teaching style, full of pragmatic insights:

“Victor’s humility, down-to-earth nature, and practical approach to teaching inspired me profoundly. Instead of conventional textbooks, Victor shared personal experiences from his stint in Latin America with Citibank, making his lessons highly interactive. He was an excellent listener, relied on whiteboards rather than slides, and encouraged open discussions both within and outside the classroom.”

Beyond teaching, Shiva valued Victor’s personal insights during their many discussions over coffee, highlighting Victor’s passion for philanthropy and his generous willingness to mentor young professionals:

“Victor was particularly passionate about philanthropy, always receptive to new ideas, offering valuable feedback and helping connect people within his network.”

Victor’s Lasting Impact on IIT Bombay

Victor’s devotion to his alma mater remained unwavering throughout his life. Prof. Ashok Misra, former Director of IIT Bombay, vividly recalls meeting Victor for the first time in 2000 during an alumni event in New York:

“In him, I saw that his passion and regard for his alma mater were exceptional.”

Victor’s generosity significantly impacted IIT Bombay through his substantial donation, leading to the establishment of the state-of-the-art Victor Menezes Convention Centre (VMCC). Misra emphasizes Victor’s humility despite his global stature:

“Victor was such a fine man, a gentleman to the core with great humility, even though he held a very high position at Citibank.”

Their relationship evolved into a deep friendship, extending to Victor mentoring Prof. Misra’s own son, reflecting his genuine warmth and commitment to nurturing talent:

“He became a family friend and mentored my son, Harsha, in his formative professional career.”

Stories of Wit, Warmth, and Wisdom

Victor’s remarkable journey was not just one of professional success but of personal grace, humility, and kindness. Harsha V. Misra, reflecting on his two-decade-long association with Victor, shares a moment that perfectly captures his down-to-earth nature:

“I was once at a symposium being held at the amazing, world-class Victor Menezes Convention Centre at IIT-Bombay. The student welcoming us told us with great pride that the center was named after one of IIT-B’s most distinguished alumni… a person who had achieved great things in the global financial industry, at a time when such achievements were unheard of for Indians. What this student did not realize is that Victor himself was among our group that day. We looked at Victor to see if he would tell the student who he was. He did not. Instead, he said something along the lines of: Don’t believe everything they tell you…stories about famous people are vastly overrated! Such understated humility, even in a building that was literally named after him, was very much Victor’s preferred style.”

Harsha shared another memory from a seminar they attended together – a talk on a highly complex topic related to mathematics and physics:

“The speaker was trying hard to keep his points as simple as possible so that us non-experts could follow along as best as possible. At one point, Victor made a humorous comment that initially seemed like a joke. Everyone laughed, at first. But then the speaker paused, and said: Actually, that is no joke, it is a very relevant and nuanced observation that gets to the very heart of the concept under discussion.”

For Harsha, that moment encapsulated Victor’s brilliance–his ability to grasp complex ideas while maintaining his light-hearted charm:

“He put things in a way that was guaranteed to make you both smile and think.”

A Profound Loss, A Lasting Legacy

His involvement extended beyond corporate life to meaningful roles in academia, philanthropy, and social initiatives. Prof. Misra poignantly summarizes the profound loss felt by the IIT Bombay community and beyond:

“In Victor, India lost a great son and IIT Bombay one of its finest alumni. I was incredibly sad to hear that news. In his demise, we have lost a great personality, a well-wisher of IIT Bombay, and on the personal front, a very dear friend.”

Indeed, as reflected by those who knew him, Victor Menezes’s life embodied excellence, humility, and generosity—an extraordinary alumnus whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.

His passing is a profound loss to the IIT Bombay community and beyond. Insight, on behalf of the IIT Bombay community, honours the remarkable legacy of Victor Menezes and his enduring contributions to his alma mater. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched in this time of sorrow.