24 Women IT Mavericks of 2024

Four decades strong, Dataquest turns 42 in 24! To celebrate this milestone, Dataquest Magazine shines a spotlight on the 24 remarkable women decision-makers who are shaping India's enterprise tech landscape. These CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and CDOs are more than just leaders - they're architects of innovation, pushing boundaries and championing diversity in the tech industry. Join us as we celebrate their achievements and the profound impact they have on India's digital future.

In a nation (India) ablaze with the fervour of women's empowerment, where every initiative reverberates the resounding call for gender equality, the domain of technology emerges as a beacon of progress and promise. Amidst the rapid evolution of our technological landscape, the presence of women in leadership roles becomes not just crucial but profoundly inspiring. Despite strides made towards gender equality, women continue to be underrepresented in pivotal positions within the tech sector. However, amidst this backdrop, there exists a cohort of remarkable women who defy conventions, lead with innovation, and steer the course of technological advancement. In our humble attempt to align with the pulse of 2024, Dataquest Magazine proudly presents a feature celebrating 24 trailblazing Women IT Heads – CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, and CDOs, who stand at the forefront of their fields, shaping the future of technology. It's important to note that this compilation is not exhaustive nor a ranking, but a recognition of their outstanding contributions and foresight in navigating the complexities of the digital age.

In a landscape where innovation thrives on diversity of thought, it's disheartening to note that women occupy only a fraction of top-tier positions in technology. Despite comprising nearly half of the global workforce, women hold just 25% of computing jobs in the United States, and the numbers aren't significantly different in other parts of the world. However, there's a glimmer of hope amidst these statistics as the representation of women in tech leadership roles is gradually increasing. According to recent studies, the percentage of women in C-suite positions in the tech industry has risen from 19% to approximately 27% in 2023. While this progress is encouraging, it underscores the persistent need for concerted efforts to bridge the gender gap and foster an environment where talent knows no gender. As we celebrate the achievements of 24 remarkable women IT Heads, let's also reflect on the collective responsibility to nurture and empower future generations of women in technology.

*Disclaimer: This feature is a humble attempt to highlight 24 women IT Heads aligned with the year 2024. It is not an exhaustive list or ranking, but rather a compilation of women in alphabetical order, who are leading the curve and innovating in technology.

1. Annapurna Kuchibhatla

Chief Technology Officer at Bajaj Electronics (Electronics Mart India Ltd)

Annapurna Kuchibhatla, a seasoned Chief Technology Officer (CTO) with over 30 years of comprehensive experience across various facets of IT, stands as a driving force in the technology landscape. Her expertise spans IT Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, Compliance, Software Quality, Information Security, and IS Audit, among others. Annapurna has served in pivotal roles, including as a Consultant with Mahindra Satyam and as Chief Technology Officer & Consultant for LV Prasad Eye Institute. Currently, she holds the position of Chief Technology Officer at BAJAJ ELECTRONICS, where she continues to showcase her leadership and management skills.

Annapurna is adorned with a plethora of certifications, including Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Software Quality Professional (CSQP), Certified BS15000 Auditor, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), and Six Sigma Black Belt, among others. Her training in CMMI, ISO 27001, and ITIL further underlines her commitment to excellence and continuous learning in the IT domain.

An active member of prominent industry associations such as ISACA, CHIME, CIO Forum, and CIO Klub, Annapurna is deeply engaged in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the IT community. Annapurna Kuchibhatla embodies a steadfast commitment to advancing IT capabilities and driving organizational success through strategic technology initiatives.

2. Annapurna Vishwanathan

CIO, Cummins India

With over 15 years of experience at companies like Coca-Cola, GE, and Atos Origin, Annapurna Vishwanathan, Chief Information Officer at Cummins India since March 2021, leverages her diverse expertise to craft and implement IT strategies that fuel regional business growth and transformation. Prior to Cummins, she led the digital strategy at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, encompassing various functions. Her extensive tenure at GE saw her tackle multiple technology domains across seven industries globally. Recognized as "CIO of the Year" (Industrial Manufacturing) and a "Leading CIO" by CII, along with being named a leading "Woman in AI" by IBM, Annapurna champions diversity and inclusion. As the India Pride ERG sponsor at Cummins, she steers LGBTQ+ empowerment initiatives, serving as a strong Pride Ally, and actively mentors young talent across India. Her commitment to strategic vision, experience, and fostering inclusivity makes her a transformative figure at Cummins.

"Over the years, I have enjoyed watching technology change the way we work. Today, that is the mantra that my team and I swear by –‘Changing the way we work."

3. Annie Mathew

CIO, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd

Annie John Mathew is the CIO of Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt. Ltd. Over a career spanning 25 years, she has experience in diverse domains through having worked in organizations like NOCIL – a Shell-Mafatlal company (India), Bharat Shell(India), Datacom Systems(NZ), Fonterra(NZ) and Xenacom(NZ). She has primarily worked on technology enablement from within the business environment and has also been part of technology companies. Significant achievements include SAP implementation, creation of central IT organization, consolidation of incident and service management into a single window in Mother Dairy, secondary sales systems with SFA, Point of Sales at retail outlets, etc. She continues to create business value through technology deployments focused on forward and backward supply chain integration and is currently excited about the opportunities of IOT. She is passionate about utilizing technology to create market differentiation and enhance consumer engagement. She has done her B.Tech (Chemical engg) from LIT, Nagpur and PGDST from CDAC, (erstwhile NCST), Juhu, Mumbai.

4. Aparajita Mukherjee Rajput

Chief Information Officer, South Asia at Kellogg

Aparajita Mukherjee Rajput, Chief Information Officer, South Asia at Kellogg, stands as a visionary and strategic leader with a proven track record of spearheading enterprise IT transformations and driving impactful initiatives. With her extensive experience, Rajput has played a pivotal role in directing cross-functional teams to design and integrate cutting-edge technology solutions that advance business strategy and enhance operational efficiency. Her tenure at Kellogg India has been marked by notable achievements, where she has led the implementation of innovative data engineering and analytical systems, safeguarding data integrity and driving informed decision-making processes. Rajput's leadership extends beyond technical expertise, as she is a seasoned team builder dedicated to acquiring and developing high-performing leaders while fostering cultures of excellence within organizations. Her unwavering commitment to driving innovation and operational excellence has positioned her as a respected figure in the technology landscape, driving Kellogg's digital transformation journey forward with strategic vision and impactful leadership.

5. Aparna Kumar

CIO, State Bank of India

Aparna Kumar, State Bank of India's Chief Information Officer, is a transformative leader with over 26 years of experience. She spearheads IT initiatives driving business process revolution and enhanced customer experiences. Aparna has managed vast IT infrastructure and consistently delivers industry-leading solutions. Her portfolio includes directing initiatives spanning CRM, Enterprise Data Warehouse, Business Intelligence, Analytics, Digital/Mobile platforms, AI, ML, RPA, and Chatbots. Aparna has effectively managed extensive IT infrastructure encompassing 4700+ branches and 110k employees. A visionary leader, she fosters a culture of innovation and excellence, mentoring high-performing teams. Currently, she leads software development using open-source technologies and drives digital transformation through the Program Management Office. Aparna's prior experience in leading global teams at IT firms and MNCs further strengthens her ability to deliver impactful IT solutions.

"Track record of managing large IT Infrastructure comprising 4700+ branches and 110k employees."

6. Arpita (Ghosh) Das

Director, IT & Digital Delivery at Kohler

Arpita (Ghosh) Das, Director of IT & Digital Delivery at Kohler, embodies a trailblazing spirit and a relentless commitment to innovation that has defined her distinguished career in the technology sector. With a legacy of pioneering achievements, Das's journey began as one of the first SAP HCM certified consultants in India in 1999. Her transformative leadership came to the forefront during her tenure at HCL, where she was entrusted with the monumental task of building the HR payroll system from scratch for HCL using ABAP as the platform, alongside a team of 25 fresh talents from CDAC. Despite the absence of SAP's payroll solution for India at that time, Das's visionary approach and technical expertise enabled her team to develop a robust and comprehensive HR payroll system, laying the foundation for HCL's SAP HCM practice. This pivotal achievement not only showcased Das's ability to navigate complex challenges but also demonstrated her innate talent for fostering talent and driving organizational success. Throughout her career, Das has continued to push boundaries and lead transformative initiatives, culminating in her current role at Kohler, where she spearheads digital transformation efforts with unwavering dedication and strategic vision. Her story serves as a beacon of inspiration, illustrating the transformative power of determination, innovation, and leadership in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

7. Charu Bhargava

Sr. Vice President, Sheela Foam (Sleepwell)

Charu Bhargava, is recognized as an innovative and pioneering IT executive with over 20 years of transformative leadership, driving the digitalization of business processes with unparalleled dedication. Her journey into leveraging technology for outcome-driven success commenced at Sheela Foam (Sleepwell) in 2001, where she began making strides in revolutionizing various facets of the organization. Bhargava's deep domain understanding spans across all functions, from sales and marketing to operations, finance, HR, distribution, and dealer environments, highlighting her comprehensive approach to technology-driven innovation. Recognized for her compelling dedication and business-strategy acumen, Bhargava has garnered acclaim across numerous prestigious forums, including the Science & Technology Leader of the Year 2017, the CIO 100 The Progressive 100 Award in 2020, and the Skoch Award 2021, among others. Her relentless pursuit of leveraging IT and bold ideas to drive organizational success exemplifies her status as a visionary leader in the realm of technology, making her an inspiration to women in the field and beyond.

"Packs a deep domain understanding straddling all functions such as Sales, Marketing, Operations, Finance, HR, Distribution & Dealer environment."

8. Charu Mathur

Chief Digital Officer. IndusInd Bank

Charu Mathur is a dynamic leader with 15 years of diverse cross-functional experience spanning business strategy, balance sheet and P&L management, new business launches, change management, decision science, organization restructuring, and productivity/efficiency improvement across various sectors including assets, liability, wealth, trade, forex, and payments within the retail individual and SME segments. In her current role as Chief Digital Officer and Head of Business Strategy at IndusInd Bank, Mathur plays a pivotal role in building new business models and establishing digital-first and digital-only business lines for retail individual and SME client segments. Additionally, she spearheads numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing market share and driving growth for the bank, showcasing her strategic vision and innovative approach to driving organizational success in an increasingly digital landscape. Mathur's leadership exemplifies her commitment to driving digital transformation and fostering growth, positioning her as a prominent figure in the realm of technology and business strategy leadership.

9. Falguni Desai

Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Digient Technologies andKhel-Sports (Part-time)

Falguni Desai boasts a distinguished 23-year career across various sectors, carving a prominent niche in technology and executive leadership. As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Digient Technologies, she spearheads innovation, leading her team in developing new products and fortifying existing ones for enhanced scalability and resilience. Her hands-on approach ensures rigorous scrutiny of code and design, yielding robust, error-free solutions indicative of her unwavering commitment to excellence. Her visionary leadership has garnered accolades, including the 2020 CIO of The Year Award from WomanTech and the 2015 Next CIO Award.

In tandem with her role at Digient, Falguni serves as a consulting CTO for Khel-sports, underscoring her dedication to nurturing innovation across varied domains. Prior to her current positions, she served as Chief Operating Officer-IT at VFS Global, where she revolutionized projects, collaborated with global government entities, and significantly augmented organizational revenue. Managing round-the-clock operations with a team of 350 and an $8.3M budget, Falguni steered VFS Global to unprecedented success.

Her journey encompasses pivotal roles at CRISIL India Pvt. Ltd. and Birla Sun Life Insurance Pvt. Ltd., showcasing her ascent from Team Lead to General Manager at VFS Global, highlighting her adeptness in navigating international complexities and delivering functional digital solutions.

10. Hemangini Thakkar

Chief Information Security Officer and SVP CCO, HSBC Asset Management (India) HSBC

Hemangini Thakkar emerges as a distinguished leader with nearly two decades of expertise in risk management, service operations, and quality assurance within the securities services and retail banking sectors at HSBC. Renowned for her adeptness in leading and managing teams, as well as initiating and driving change, Thakkar's tenure at HSBC Securities Services spanning over 10 years has equipped her with invaluable experience in navigating fast-paced environments and handling complex situations with agility and finesse. Her core competencies lie in compliance and governance, security services operations, and related regulations, underpinned by a proven track record of leading change initiatives and driving performance. Thakkar's effective liaison with regulators, quasi-regulators, and auditors, coupled with her adept management of third-party service providers, underscores her reputation as a trusted leader and strategic partner within the industry.

"Working with HSBC Securities Services since over a decade, I am accustomed to working in fast-paced environments with the ability to think quickly and successfully handle difficult situations."

11. Jyothirlatha B

CTO /CIO, Godrej Capital

Jyothirlatha B. is a distinguished technology leader with a focus on digital transformation, strategy, and innovation, specializing in mobility and payments technology within the banking and financial services sector. With a wealth of experience and expertise in leveraging technology to drive organizational growth, Jyothirlatha has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape of the banking industry. Her strategic vision and innovative approach have positioned her as a trailblazer in driving technological advancements and delivering cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving needs of the financial sector. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO), she leads initiatives aimed at revolutionizing banking operations, enhancing customer experiences, and fostering innovation, cementing her status as a prominent figure in the realm of technology leadership and digital transformation.

"Godrej Capital is on the path to becoming a TechFin company. Jyothirlatha's focus on the end user, agility, and customer-centricity keep the organization at the forefront of the ever-evolving tech landscape.”

12. Kirti Patil

Joint President, IT & CTO at Kotak Life

Kirti Patil emerges as a dynamic force, boasting an illustrious career spanning over two decades across manufacturing and BFSI sectors. From her early days at Bayer India to her impactful stint at International Rectifier, where she spearheaded system implementations in the APAC region, Patil's journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence. Currently serving as the Joint President - IT and CTO at Kotak Life, she orchestrates transformative initiatives that redefine industry standards. Patil's strategic acumen is evident in her leadership of mobile-based sales fulfillment, video-based customer calling, and enterprise-class underwriting rule engines, showcasing her commitment to innovation. A trailblazer in technology adoption, she has embraced advancements like data center virtualization and cybersecurity solutions such as DLP and WAF, positioning herself as a visionary in the field. Beyond her technical prowess, Patil's strength in relationship management has cultivated a robust partner network, further enhancing the organization's capabilities. Her contributions have garnered prestigious accolades, including the CIO PowerList Award and the BFSI100 Innovation Leadership Award, solidifying her reputation as a leader at the forefront of technological innovation. As a beacon of inspiration, Patil's story embodies resilience, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to driving excellence in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.

13. Kopal Sarin Raj

India CIO - VP IT, Wabtec Corporation

Kopal Sarin Raj is a seasoned CIO with 26 years of extensive experience in information technology. Her expertise spans various domains, including software development, IT infrastructure setup in greenfield sites, and deploying business systems across organizational functions. With a background in Computer Science engineering from BITs Mesra and an MBA in marketing and strategy from XLRI, Kopal has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the industry. She has received the prestigious CIO100 award multiple times since 2014 and serves on the board of the G100 India D&I Advisory Board. Committed to empowering women leaders, Kopal mentors as part of the 1000 Women Leaders program and has been acknowledged for driving change in the manufacturing sector. Despite facing challenges as the spouse of an Army officer, Kopal has demonstrated resilience and determination in balancing her professional and personal responsibilities. She advocates for seeking support and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new challenges. Kopal's leadership philosophy revolves around decisiveness, embracing failures as learning opportunities, and prioritizing team building and collaboration. With a focus on delivering tangible business impact through technology, Kopal remains committed to driving innovation and excellence in her role as a CIO.

14. Madhu Malhotra

Chief Technology Officer, Zuno General Insurance Limited

Madhu Malhotra serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Zuno General Insurance Limited, where she plays a pivotal role in reshaping the Indian Insurtech landscape. Her leadership is focused on leveraging technology to realize Zuno GI's vision of making insurance easy, friendly, and transparent. Through the development of technology-driven platforms emphasizing customer experience, digital innovation, and strategic advancements, Madhu has positioned Zuno GI as one of India's fastest-growing insurers. With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades in Payments and Telecom, Madhu excels in simplifying customer journeys through scalable platforms and fast APIs. Her strategic vision aims to create products that resonate with all customers while enhancing their lives. She has a strong track record in engineering modernizations, cloud initiatives, and team building, crucial for navigating the ever-evolving technological landscape. Beyond her professional endeavors, Madhu is a vocal advocate for increasing women representation in technology through her involvement with AnitaB.Org foundation. She acknowledges the challenges women face in tech careers but remains optimistic about gradual change through encouragement and support.

Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's quote, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," Madhu is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the insurance sector.

15. Mona Singh

Vice President - IT Technology, Reliance JIO Platforms LTD

Mona Singh epitomizes the essence of decisive, result-oriented leadership in the realm of digital transformation, boasting over 25 years of invaluable experience in telecom technology leadership roles. With a keen eye for leveraging technology and talent to propel large-scale organizational transformations, Singh has been instrumental in spearheading IT-enabled business journeys for prominent enterprises. Her expertise lies in adeptly managing cross-functional teams with diverse technical backgrounds, ensuring seamless execution of telecom BSS/OSS platform transformation projects. With a focus on capacity planning, procurement management, change management, risk mitigation, and resource allocation, Singh has earned accolades for her prowess in steering complex initiatives towards success. As a trailblazer in the telecom technology space, Singh's contributions have left an indelible mark, setting new standards for innovation and excellence in digital transformation.

"Inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's quote, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Effective in harnessing the power of Technology and people to deliver IT enabled Business Transformation Journeys for large organizations."

16. Nidhi Garg

Vice President & Head, Global IT at Aristocrat

Nidhi Garg emerges as a seasoned technology leader, wielding extensive experience in steering corporate strategies and driving organizational performance through effective change management. With a knack for building coalitions to support business growth, Garg excels in developing IT strategies, roadmaps, and implementation plans while ensuring alignment with budgetary constraints. Her leadership ethos revolves around fostering a highly dynamic work environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement, rallying teams around a shared sense of purpose. As an ardent advocate for fairness, equity, and inclusivity, she champions initiatives such as EIG SHAKTI at Aristocrat India, focusing on empowering women in the workplace. Garg's commitment to nurturing talent and fostering an inclusive environment underscores her role as a trailblazer in technology leadership, making her a standout figure in the industry.

"Deft in creating a highly dynamic work environment that facilitates innovation, continuous improvement and bring out the best in people with shared sense of purpose."

17. Pooja Chatrath

CIO, Oncquest Laboratories Ltd

Pooja Chatrath, a seasoned CIO at Oncquest Laboratories Ltd., leverages her 23 years of experience to drive digital innovation and ensure efficient, secure operations. A strategic leader, she fosters a collaborative culture, champions change management, and stays ahead of industry trends. Her focus on operational efficiency, data accuracy, and customer satisfaction is evident in her strategic use of technology. Pooja is passionate about empowering women in technology and advocates for a more inclusive industry, as evidenced by her mentorship and involvement in diversity and inclusion initiatives. Recognized with awards like the CSO Award and Women Leadership & Influencer Award, Pooja exemplifies a transformative CIO, combining strategic vision, technological expertise, and a dedication to fostering inclusivity.

"It’s all about being awesome and aspirational."

18. Priya Dar

CIO, Valvoline Cummins Pvt Ltd (India)

Priya Dar is a highly accomplished Senior Technology Executive known for her exceptional track record in managing complex projects and surpassing expectations. With extensive experience spanning various industries including FMCG, telecommunication, retail, and finance, Priya brings a wealth of expertise in strategy, budget management, and customer-facing digital solutions. Renowned for her exceptional people and project management skills, she has consistently delivered large-scale projects on time and within budget, demonstrating her commitment to operational excellence. Priya possesses a deep understanding of industry-standard quality control techniques and processes, ensuring the successful execution of projects with complete P&L accountability. Her core competencies include driving digital strategy and innovation, leading cross-functional teams, and fostering collaboration with top executives to achieve business objectives. Additionally, Priya excels in budgeting, compliance, project contracting, change control management, and the development of IT policies, processes, and procedures. With a strong commitment to customer service and business relationship management, Priya Dar is recognized as a visionary leader who consistently delivers results and drives organizational success.

19. Reema Jain

Chief Information & Digital Officer, Hero MotoCorp

Reema Jain, currently serving as the Chief Information & Digital Officer at Hero MotoCorp with a rich background spanning over two decades in esteemed organizations like Unilever and GE, embodies a trailblazer in Bangalore's IT landscape. Her leadership is marked by a direct, open approach, and an unyielding drive to propel business outcomes through technological innovation. Jain is a fervent advocate for leveraging Cloud, AI, Analytics, and DevOps to spearhead transformative agendas. At Hero MotoCorp, she orchestrates strategic growth initiatives, steering the organization towards a digital future by pioneering new value creation avenues through digital tools and processes. Central to her ethos is the belief in inclusivity and diversity, fostering high-performing teams that are not only self-motivated but also attuned to achieving collective success. Jain's professional journey is punctuated by numerous milestones, including her adeptness in defining and executing digital transformation endeavors, championing user-centric product design, and forging robust partnerships to drive global technology-driven initiatives. Her expertise spans a spectrum of technologies, from React Native to SAP and IoT, underscoring her versatility and acumen. Noteworthy achievements include establishing agile operating frameworks, enabling real-time analytics for supply chain optimization, and optimizing ERP systems through innovative methodologies like RPA and Lean initiatives.

20. Rucha Nanavati

Chief Information Officer, Mahindra Group

Rucha Nanavati embodies the essence of a highly capable, results-oriented transformation leader, boasting a proven track record of successfully delivering projects through large, cross-functional, globally distributed teams. With 20 years of experience, most of which lead the delivery of large and complex transformational programs, Nanavati is renowned for consistently delivering business value through IT with high-quality, cost-effective solutions, all while fostering a productive team environment. Her specialties encompass a wide array of areas including IT strategy, planning, and execution, cross-functional team leadership, business transformation, resource and budget management, and optimization and cost reduction. Additionally, she excels in global sourcing, SaaS implementation, project management methodologies such as SDLC and CMMI, account management with senior-level executives, vendor evaluation and management, and solution architecture. With a talent for attracting, recruiting, managing, and mentoring high-performing teams, Nanavati stands as a beacon of excellence in driving impactful IT initiatives and spearheading transformative change across organizations.

21. Saloni Vijay

Vice President, CISO, VOIS (Vodafone Intelligent Solutions), Vodafone Group

Saloni Vijay is a seasoned technology leader with over 22 years of diverse experience spanning Information Security, Risk Management, IT Operations, Project Management, and Solution Architecture. Currently serving as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at _VOIS (Vodafone Intelligent Solutions), Saloni is entrusted with singular accountability for all information security controls within the company. In this role, she leverages her extensive expertise to assess and manage cybersecurity risk posture, ensure compliance, and conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across IT and telecom domains. Prior to joining _VOIS, Saloni held key leadership positions at Vodafone Idea Ltd, where she spearheaded risk management and security assurance initiatives for the Technology Security function. With a deep understanding of business operations, Saloni has a proven track record of driving financial goals and objectives through strategic partnerships and efficient business processes. Her proficiency in solution design, agile strategy development, and revenue optimization has been instrumental in supporting mergers and acquisitions and increasing bottom-line revenue. Saloni is highly skilled in managing dynamic business environments and leading geographically distributed teams, with a strong focus on people management, analytical problem-solving, and effective communication.

22. Sanghamitra Pyne

Head IT Generation, CESC Ventures, RPSG group

Sanghamitra Pyne serves as the Head of Information Technology-Generation at CESC Ventures, RPSG group, overseeing IT operations across West Bengal, Maharashtra, and beyond. Previously, she held the position of Head and Chief Engineer-IT at West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (WBSETCL), where she played a pivotal role in managing IT infrastructure for the State Power Transmission Utility. With a rich background in engineering and business-oriented technology leadership, Ms. Pyne has contributed significantly to both the private and public sector utilities. She holds an Electrical Engineering degree from Jadavpur University and an MBA in Finance. Throughout her career, Ms. Pyne has spearheaded numerous IT projects in the power sector, collaborating with internal teams and external vendors to implement bespoke solutions across various domains such as power distribution, transmission, and generation. Her expertise extends to technology transfer initiatives, consulting assignments for power utilities, and policy formulation for corporate governance enhancement. As a seasoned leader, Ms. Pyne is dedicated to driving innovation and leveraging technology to optimize operational efficiency and cybersecurity in the power sector. She actively engages with multiple Chambers of Commerce, contributing to industry development and fostering collaboration within the sector.

23. Shobhana Lele

CIO, The Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Company Limited

Shobana Lele, when it comes to technology leadership — she stands as a beacon of excellence, renowned for her prowess in IT strategy, team management, and stakeholder engagement. With specialities spanning across diverse areas including vendor management, global service delivery, and infrastructure management, Lele exemplifies a holistic approach to driving technological innovation. Her expertise in SAP, BPM, BI, MDM, and Microsoft Technologies underscores her versatility and acumen in navigating complex technological landscapes. As a seasoned leader, she is adept at harnessing the power of teams to deliver impactful solutions while effectively managing stakeholders' expectations. Lele's commitment to driving excellence in technology leadership has earned her accolades and recognition, cementing her status as a trailblazer in the field.

"The CIO must drive quality-oriented, agile, and smart tech initiatives to deliver business outcomes with inherent security as a foundation."

24. Shruti Kashyap

CIO, Hindustan Unilever and Head, IT - South Asia at Unilever

Shruti Kashyap's journey at Unilever began as a management trainee in 2006, evolving through various cross-functional roles across Finance, Sales, and Marketing before assuming the pivotal position of Global Digital Marketing Director in 2015. Renowned for her leadership in Unilever's significant global digital transformation initiatives, Kashyap has been instrumental in driving technology and capability enhancements across diverse markets. Currently spearheading the integration of HUL's largest acquisition, the GSK consumer health portfolio, into Unilever, she embodies a passion for implementing innovations that amplify organizational value and fortify brand purpose. Kashyap's ethos emphasizes the crucial role of technology as a business enabler in today's landscape, advocating for a mindset shift where every business must embrace technology to thrive. With a penchant for risk-taking and challenging conventions, she champions the ethos of stepping out of comfort zones, nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit, and fostering a startup mentality within the confines of a large organization, underscoring her commitment to driving impactful change and fostering success.