(August 31, 2024) Apple recently announced the promotion of Kevan Parekh, the company’s Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis, to Chief Financial Officer, with his new role starting on January 1, 2025. In light of this, Global Indian puts a spotlight on the major appointments of Indian-origin leaders throughout 2024. These leaders, who have recently stepped into significant roles this year, exemplify the growing global influence of Indian business professionals in shaping the future of leading corporations.
Pavan Davuluri
Microsoft’s Head of Windows and Surface
In March this year, Microsoft appointed Pavan Davuluri, a long-time company veteran, to lead its Windows operating system and Surface devices teams. This move followed the departure of Panos Panay, the former chief of Windows and Surface. Panay’s responsibilities were subsequently divided between Davuluri and Mikhail Parakhin. Microsoft stated that Davuluri’s appointment will support a comprehensive approach to developing silicon, systems, experiences, and devices that integrate Windows client and cloud technologies for the AI era.
Pavan Davuluri
An alumnus of IIT Madras, Davuluri began his Microsoft career as a Reliability Component Manager in 2001. Over his 23-year tenure, he has held numerous leadership roles, working with PC and Xbox hardware, Surface, and Windows. Since 2021, he has served as Corporate Vice President for Windows and Silicon & Systems Integration, focusing on optimizing Windows for Arm-based devices. He completed his postgraduate studies at the University of Maryland.
Uma Amuluru
Boeing’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President
Uma Amuluru, former White House Counsel under President Obama, has taken on the role of Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President at Boeing, effective April 1. The Indian American executive succeeds Michael D’Ambrose and now reports directly to Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun while serving on the company’s executive council. In her new capacity, Amuluru oversees key areas including talent planning, global talent acquisition, learning and development, compensation and benefits, employee and labour relations, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Uma Amuluru
Amuluru’s journey with Boeing began in 2017, where she previously held the roles of Vice President and General Counsel for Boeing Defense, Space & Security, as well as the company’s first Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to her tenure at Boeing, she held several senior positions within the federal government, including serving as Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. At the White House, she provided legal and strategic counsel to senior officials on matters involving compliance, oversight, and risk management. Amuluru holds a Doctor of Law degree from Northwestern University.
Sridhar Ramaswamy
Snowflake’s Chief Executive Officer
In March of this year, Snowflake, the U.S.-based company that powers the AI Data Cloud – a global network enabling thousands of organizations to mobilize data with near-unlimited scale, concurrency, and performance, appointed Sridhar Ramaswamy as Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board of directors. The Indian American executive previously served as the Senior Vice President of AI at Snowflake, succeeding Frank Slootman in the CEO role. Ramaswamy joined Snowflake in 2023 following the company’s acquisition of Neeva, an AI-powered search engine that he co-founded in 2019. Since then, he has been at the forefront of Snowflake’s AI strategy, leading initiatives such as the launch of Snowflake Cortex, a fully managed service designed to make AI simple and secure for all users, driving rapid business value.
Indian-origin leaders | Sridhar Ramaswamy | Global Indian
Born in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu, Ramaswamy earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from IIT Madras. He moved to the United States in 1989 to pursue his master’s degree and PhD in computer science at Brown University. He calls himself a technologist and humanist focused on harnessing the power of software for larger social good.
Smriti Kirubanandan
Accenture’s Managing Director of Healthcare and Healthtech
In February this year, healthcare business executive Smriti Kirubanandan joined Accenture as Managing Director of the firm’s healthcare and healtech practices. Accenture described the Indian American as a ‘contemporary Renaissance figure,’ recognizing her remarkable achievements as a growth and partnerships executive with a unique background in robotics and public health. Kirubanandan is also a raw vegan chef and nutritionist, actively involved in community service and leading initiatives to combat food insecurity.
Smriti Kirubanandan
In 2023, she was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and is a member of the Young Leaders Circle at the Milken Institute. She is the founder of the HLTH Forward Podcast, an award-winning media platform where healthcare leaders, policymakers, and artists discuss systemic challenges and explore collective solutions to advance healthcare. Smriti Kirubanandan holds a bachelors in robotics ad computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and two master of science degrees from University of Southern California and UCLA, respectively. She has joined the advisory council of Harvard Business Review recently.
Vipin Gairola
Genpact’s Global Operating Officer
In February this year, the New York City-based multinational information technology services, consulting, and business process outsourcing company announced the appointment of Vipin Gairola as its Global Operating Officer. Gairola is spearheading the transformation of service delivery for Genpact’s clients by leveraging AI-led solutions. As Global Operating Officer, he oversees Genpact’s global client operations, analytics, data, and technology across all regions. He is a member of Genpact’s Leadership Council and leads the company’s Operations and Cost Council.
Vipin Gairola
Gairola joined Genpact from Accenture, where he spent over two decades in various senior leadership roles, most recently serving as Chief Strategy Officer for Accenture Operations. With 26 years of experience in customer service, account management, marketing, transition, and solution creation, Gairola has established himself as a leader with exceptional business acumen and innovative thinking. He is also passionate about promoting workplace gender diversity and building a future-ready workforce equipped with AI and automation skills, ensuring enriched jobs for humans. Gairola holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the Delhi College of Engineering, and an MBA in manufacturing management from SPJIMR College in Mumbai.
Vaishali Bhatia
ATI Inc’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel
In March this year, ATI Inc., a Dallas-based aerospace and defense company, appointed Vaishali Bhatia as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer. In this role, Bhatia will lead all aspects of the company’s legal function and work closely with business teams to provide risk-based legal guidance. She succeeds ATI’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Elliot Davis, who will retire effective October 1, 2024. Until then, Davis will serve as Special Advisor, Legal, and Compliance, to ensure a smooth transition.
Vaishali Bhatia
Bhatia comes to ATI from HF Sinclair Corporation, where she has been Executive Vice President since 2023 and served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since 2019. She earned her Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin. In 2022, she was recognized as ‘DFW General Counsel of the Year for a Mid-Size Legal Department’ by The Texas Lawbook and the DFW Association of Corporate Counsel.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there are other notable appointments of Indian-origin leaders throughout 2024 who are also making significant impacts in their respective fields.
