Asia has emerged as a thriving hub of innovation, progress, and digital transformation in the field of technology. While this dynamic region has been at the forefront of technological advancements, it is also home to a remarkable and inspiring group of individuals – women who are breaking barriers, shattering stereotypes, and driving change within the tech industry.
Let’s delve into the stories and achievements of these extraordinary women in tech, whose passion, resilience, and expertise are redefining the role of gender in the digital sphere across Asia.
Top 50 Women in Tech in Asia
1. Aarthi Subramanian
Position: GroupChief Digital Officer
Company: Tata Sons Limited
As the Group Chief Digital Officer at Tata Sons Limited, Ms. Subramanian has not only carved a niche for herself but has also made significant contributions to the digital transformation of one of India’s most iconic conglomerates.
Aarthi Subramanian’s career began at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where she embarked on her career in 1989 as a graduate trainee. During her tenure at TCS, Ms. Subramanian held a variety of roles in different corners of the world, including India, Sweden, the US, and Canada. One of her key achievements at TCS was her role as the Head of Delivery for seven years within the TCS Retail & CPG Business unit. In this capacity, she assumed responsibility for numerous strategic accounts and major clients.
Aarthi was instrumental in driving excellence in service delivery across the organization. Governance of key programs and initiatives became more robust under her stewardship, ensuring that TCS maintained its position as a technology leader in the global market. Moreover, her commitment to enterprise-wide compliance helped TCS navigate the complex landscape of regulations and standards with finesse.
Ms Subramanian holds a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science from the prestigious National Institute of Technology, Warangal, India, and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, USA. Beyond her illustrious career, she is known for her varied interests. She enjoys listening to music, watching movies, and reading management-related books. Her passion for fitness is also evident, highlighting the importance of a balanced and healthy lifestyle, even in the fast-paced world of technology and business.
Read more here: https://www.tcs.com/who-we-are/leadership/aarthi-subramanian
2. Aireen Omar
Position: President
Company: AirAsia Digital
Aireen Omar, the President of AirAsia Digital and CEO of AirAsia Super App, is a leading figure in the aviation and digital transformation sectors. She is instrumental in driving AirAsia’s digital strategy and spearheading initiatives to transform the company into a global, cloud-based, data-driven platform entity. Aireen’s role extends to incubating and nurturing digital and fintech ventures within the AirAsia ecosystem, including BigLife, BigPay, Teleport, and Santan. She has played a crucial role in expanding airasia.com from a mere airline platform into a multifaceted digital ecosystem.
Her journey with AirAsia began in 2006 when she joined as Director of Corporate Finance and quickly assumed additional responsibilities, contributing significantly to the airline’s rapid growth and acclaim. Aireen’s career began as an associate at Deutsche Bank Securities, and she holds an economics degree from the London School of Economics and a master’s degree in economics from New York University. She has earned numerous accolades, including APAC CEO of the Year (2017) and recognition as one of the Top 15 Senior Technology Executives in ASEAN (2019).
Aireen Omar’s visionary leadership and financial expertise continue to drive AirAsia’s evolution into a digital powerhouse, making her a trailblazer in both aviation and digital industries.Top of Form
3. Akanksha Hazari
Position: Founder
Company: LoveLocal
Akanksha Hazari, the CEO and Founder of LoveLocal is responsible for the hyperlocal eCommerce startup that is reshaping the way India approaches shopping. LoveLocal empowers local retailers and has transformed the $1.1 trillion unorganized retail market in the country. Since its inception in January 2020, LoveLocal has experienced meteoric growth, expanding 40-fold in a relatively short period. Currently, the platform caters to over 1300 pin codes across India.
Akanksha Hazari is an alumna of Princeton University and Cambridge University. She boasts over a decade of business experience spanning India, MENA (Middle East and North Africa), and the United States.
She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career. In 2011, Akanksha Hazari was honored with the Hult Prize, receiving a $1 million award presented by former US President Bill Clinton. Additionally, she received the Vital Voices Global Economic Empowerment Award in 2016, bestowed upon her by Secretaries of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Madeleine Albright. Her achievements extend even further, as she is prominently featured in the US Senate Resolution 418.
Akanksha stands as the sole Indian tech entrepreneur to be prominently featured in the book titled “100 Women Using their Power to Empower.” This remarkable compilation celebrates 100 global women leaders who are redefining the concept of power. In the book, Akanksha shares the spotlight with influential figures like Melinda Gates, Serena Williams, and Greta Thunberg, among other inspiring women.
Beyond her business acumen, Akanksha Hazari is a polyglot, proficient in six languages. She also boasts a history as a competitive squash player and was ranked among the top 20 junior players internationally.
4. Alisa CL Choong
Position: SVP CIO
Company: Shell
Alisa Choong, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the global oil and gas giant – Shell, is not only responsible for overseeing robust IT operations but also for championing digital transformation and sustainability initiatives within the organization. Before her tenure at Shell, Alisa worked for Fortune corporations such as PETRONAS, IBM, PricewaterhouseCoopers, National Bank of Australia, and KPMG.
At Shell, Alisa’s career began in 2007 as an IT support manager where she quickly ascended through the ranks, stepping into a general manager role in IT. This allowed her to gain a holistic understanding of how different business areas collaborate and support one another, a crucial aspect of her current role as CIO.
Alisa Choong recognized the transformative potential of technologies like the Cloud and their impact on the oil and gas industry. Her mandate includes evaluating innovative ways of enhancing business operations and unlocking value for the company.
As a leader in the oil and gas industry, Alisa Choong places a strong emphasis on addressing climate change through technology. She established the Sustainability IT Group, which collaborates with partners and suppliers to achieve a net-zero-emission supply chain by 2030. Her team’s efforts include a transition to green energy for high-performance computing, with a focus on cybersecurity and risk mitigation.
Furthermore, Alisa’s team pioneers digital twin technologies that leverage AI, IoT, and machine learning to analyze data from sensors, improving performance and sustainability. Her commitment to sustainability and inclusion extends to her leadership team, where gender balance is a priority.
5. Arundhati Bhattacharya
Position: CEO and Chair
Company: Salesforce India
Arundhati is the first woman to lead an India-based Fortune 500 company. Her career of over four decades is marked by numerous milestones and accomplishments. Arundhati Bhattacharya joined the State Bank of India (SBI) as a Probationary Officer at the tender age of 22.
Throughout her 36-year tenure with SBI, Bhattacharya held a multitude of roles. Her areas of expertise included foreign exchange, treasury operations, retail operations, human resources, and investment banking. Notably, she served as the chief executive officer of SBI Capital Markets, the bank’s merchant banking arm, and played a pivotal role as chief general manager in charge of new projects. In 2013, Arundhati Bhattacharya became the first woman to chair SBI. Under her guidance, SBI was recognized as one of India’s top three Best Places to Work, based on employee reviews on the global job site ‘Indeed’.
In 2020, Arundhati Bhattacharya transitioned to the corporate world by assuming the role of chairperson and chief executive officer for the India division of Salesforce, a global CRM giant. Currently, Bhattacharya serves as the chairperson of SWIFT India, a vital component of the global payments network. Additionally, she holds the position of Non-Executive Director with Reliance Industries Limited, a conglomerate with diverse business interests.
In January 2022, Arundhati Bhattacharya published her autobiography, titled “Indomitable: A Working Woman’s Notes on Work, Life, and Leadership,” in which she candidly shares her experiences, views, and contributions as a working woman in a male-dominated industry. A postgraduate degree holder in English and an Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers, Arundhati Bhattacharya exemplifies the power of education, dedication, and vision in achieving unparalleled success.
6. Ashwani Nandini
Position: Global Head of Delivery and Assurance
Company: GlobalLogic
Ashwani Nandini is a seasoned professional currently serving as the Global Head of Delivery Assurance at GlobalLogic. In this role, she actively ensures the timely delivery of high-quality software solutions, emphasizing a harmonious blend of quality, innovation, and punctuality. Her commitment extends beyond meeting expectations, striving instead to exceed them by adding significant value that distinguishes GlobalLogic in the industry.
At the forefront of shaping the quality framework for all Hitachi digital companies, Ashwani Nandini and her team drive a mission centered around delivering ‘nothing but the best.’ They play a crucial role in assisting Hitachi digital group companies and global teams in establishing ‘building quality software’ as a way of life. This commitment involves balancing structured quality deliverables with the agility and innovation that define the digital age and form the core ethos of GlobalLogic.
Notably, Ashwani Nandini spearheaded the Noida Centre of GlobalLogic from 2012 to 2017. In this role, she managed various aspects such as P&L, competency development, and value propositions, transforming it into the company’s largest and most innovative engineering hub.
Beyond the realm of technology, Ashwani Nandini dedicates herself to causes close to her heart, particularly focusing on underprivileged children’s education and old age homes. Amid her professional commitments, Ashwani Nandini finds inspiration and energy in personal passions such as cricket, yoga, and soul-fulfilling music. These pursuits not only serve as sources of inspiration but also contribute to her ability to drive innovation and lead effectively in the dynamic landscape of the technology industry.
7. Azita Azizan
Position: Chief People Officer
Company: Aerodyne
Aerodyne, a company specializing in AI-powered drone solutions, is led by its executive director, Azita Azizan, and her spouse. They manage the company’s activities in 35 countries worldwide. Additionally, Aerodyne has secured investments from Arc Ventures, Leave a Nest, and the Drone Fund of Japan.
8. Catherine Lian
Position: Managing Director and Executive Technology Leader
Company: IBM Malaysia
In April 2019, Catherine Lian assumed the position of Managing Director at IBM Malaysia. At that time, her appointment was a milestone in Malaysia’s tech landscape, breaking not only industry norms but also gender barriers.
Before IBM, Catherine had a longstanding career at Dell Technologies, commencing in 1998 as an account manager at Dell Penang. Over the years, she held various management positions across ASEAN and South Asian markets, including Malaysia, Korea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, Bangladesh, Indochina, and Cambodia where she played a key role in developing markets by an impressive 40% year-over-year.
One of the standout aspects of Lian’s career at Dell was her commitment to advancing gender diversity in leadership roles. She actively participated in the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN), an initiative that aimed to empower women business owners by providing them with access to technology, capital, resources, and networking opportunities. This early commitment to gender diversity laid the foundation for her future endeavors at IBM.
When Lian took on her role as Managing Director at IBM Malaysia, she actively supported and championed numerous initiatives launched by IBM, including “STEM for Girls” and “Tech Re-Entry.” These initiatives sought to bridge the gender gap in technology by encouraging young girls to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and by providing pathways for professionals who took career breaks to return to the tech workforce.
She also leads the growth and management of IBM Malaysia’s operations while guiding her Malaysian team to assist clients, partners, and critical stakeholders in harnessing IBM’s leading AI/cognitive solutions, cloud platforms, and industry capabilities to advance digital transformation.
9. Debjani Ghosh
Position: President
Company: NASSCOM
Debjani Ghosh stands as a prominent figure, leading the charge as the President of the National Association of Software & Services Companies (NASSCOM) since April 2018, and is the first woman to hold the position of NASSCOM’s President in its three-decade history.
One of her notable achievements at NASSCOM has been the development of the ‘Think Digital, Think India’ strategy, aimed at positioning India as a hub for digital talent and innovation. Under her leadership, NASSCOM has taken a proactive approach in shaping India’s role in the digital era, emphasizing responsible tech development as a means to accelerate progress and equality.
Debjani recognized the pandemic era as a unique opportunity for the tech sector to reinvent itself. She believed that by fully leveraging attributes like Trust, Digital Talent, People-first Innovation, Agility, and Resilience, the technology sector can build a future that surpasses the achievements of the past.
Debjani Ghosh’s remarkable contributions to the technology industry have earned her several accolades and recognitions. In January 2018, she was honored by the President of India as part of the ‘First Ladies’ program. Before her tenure at NASSCOM, Debjani Ghosh made history by becoming the first woman to lead Intel India and the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT).
Debjani Ghosh’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in political science from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, and an MBA degree in marketing from S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research in Mumbai, India.
10. Dorothy Yiu
Position: Co-founder & CEO (International)
Company: EngageRocket
Dorothy Yiu is the co-founder of EngageRocket, which is Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing employee experience technology provider. The company is on a mission to empower organizations to enable human connections at scale, ensuring that companies can effectively engage and understand their employees’ needs, ultimately fostering a more connected and productive workforce. EngageRocket made history by becoming the first venture-backed HR tech startup in Southeast Asia.
In 2022, Dorothy Yiu was shortlisted for the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia in the Entrepreneur category. Before her entrepreneurial venture, she served as the Head of Operations for Gallup in Southeast Asia. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing Gallup’s operations team, focusing on strategy, execution, costing, vendor management, and quality assurance.
Before her time at Gallup, Dorothy worked as an Investment Analyst at OCBC Bank. Her responsibilities included analyzing foreign exchange options and structured equity products to support Global Consumer Bank businesses.
Dorothy Yiu holds a double degree in business management and accountancy from the Singapore Management University. Her educational journey also includes a degree in investment analysis, risk management, and derivatives from the BI Norwegian Business School.
11. Elaine Zhou
Position: CTO
Company: Change.org
After the loss of her father at the age of 20 years, Elaine Zhou was forced to set aside her childhood dream of becoming a doctor and instead set her sights on a career in engineering. She started her career in engineering at PeopleSoft, where she gained a solid foundation in engineering principles. As her career advanced, Elaine took on projects that reflected her unwavering commitment to social justice. Notably, she created a social network similar to Facebook but tailored specifically for the LGBTQ+ community at a time when such safe spaces were in short supply.
She eventually entered the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), where she tackled the formidable challenge of teaching AI systems to recognize various styles of human handwriting. It was at Change.org that Elaine discovered an opportunity to blend her passions for culture, community, and equitable AI on a grand scale. She became a specialist in crafting AI strategies and meticulously planning engineering roadmaps. Elaine also held influential positions in organizations such as Vidado.ai and Clean Power Finance.
In her current role, Elaine leads a global engineering team responsible for ensuring that 600 million users worldwide can access Change.org’s platform seamlessly. Her unwavering commitment to implementing Responsible AI practices and her contributions to distributed cloud infrastructure initiatives have not only facilitated the organization’s expansion but have also significantly improved the user experience.
12. Eva Chen
Position: CEO
Company: Trend Micro
The co-founder and CEO of Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity powerhouse, Eva Chen began her academic journey at National Chengchi University in Taipei, where she pursued a degree in philosophy. After completing her undergraduate studies, she briefly worked in the publishing industry. In 1984, she made a significant move to the United States, where she earned a master’s degree in management information systems from the University of Texas at Dallas.
Returning to Taiwan, Chen initially worked in the research department at Acer Inc. before transitioning to a career in journalism, writing for a Chinese newspaper. In 1988, Eva Chen, along with her brother-in-law Steve Chang and her sister Jenny, co-founded Trend Micro. Chen’s role in the company evolved over the years, starting as the executive vice president and later assuming the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in 1996 where she played a key role in the development of groundbreaking cybersecurity solutions, including the Network VirusWall.
In 2004, Eva Chen became the CEO. Chen shifted Trend Micro’s focus from traditional antivirus solutions to cutting-edge cloud protection. This strategic shift proved prescient, as the importance of cloud security continued to grow in the digital age. In 2009, the company acquired Canadian security firm Third Brigade, and in 2010, it expanded its reach by acquiring cloud storage service provider Humyo. In 2012, she received recognition from the Cloud Security Alliance.
Read more here: https://www.trendmicro.com/en_vn/about/leaders.html
13. Evelyn Su Mei Ooi
Position: CIO, APAC & Middle East
Company: Geodis
Evelyn Su Mei Ooi is a seasoned Business IT Professional with over two decades of experience in diverse cultures, markets, and business practices. Having worked across countries and regions, she understands the nuances of international business well.
Evelyn Su Mei Ooi ‘s ITIL V4 certification attests to her expertise in IT service management. Additionally, her training in LEAN Management at the Kaizen Institute, Europe, showcases her dedication to streamlining processes and optimizing efficiency within organizations.
Evelyn’s domain knowledge spans a wide spectrum of industries, including Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Healthcare, Technology, Specialty Chemicals, e-business, Digital Commerce, IT Service Management, and Program/Project Management. This breadth of knowledge equips her with a unique ability to draw insights from various sectors, fostering innovation and adaptability.
Before her current role as CIO Asia-Pacific for supply chain operator Geodis, she held senior tech positions at DKSH Corporate Shared Services Center, where she shaped IT strategy and drove digitalization initiatives for over a decade. Before that, she contributed as a technical consultant at IBM Malaysia. Her academic credentials, including a degree in Computing and a master’s in managerial psychology, have further enriched her professional acumen.
14. Falguni Nayar
Position: Founder and CEO
Company: Nykaa.com
Falguni Nayar was born in Mumbai, India, into a Gujarati family and her upbringing instilled in her a strong work ethic and an appreciation for entrepreneurship. After completing her Bachelor’s in Commerce from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics, Falguni pursued her Master’s degree at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad), graduating in 1985.
Falguni Nayar started her career in consulting with A.F. Ferguson & Co. and in 1993 she moved to the Kotak Mahindra Group. During her 18-year tenure at Kotak Mahindra, Falguni held various roles, eventually becoming the Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Investment Bank and a director at Kotak Securities, the bank’s institutional equities division.
In 2012, at the age of 50, Falguni Nayar wanted to create a multi-brand omnichannel platform that empowered customers and enabled beauty brands to reach every corner of India.
Nykaa started small but quickly gained momentum in the burgeoning Indian e-commerce landscape. Under Falguni’s leadership, the company experienced remarkable growth. Nykaa’s revenue soared, exceeding Rs. 1200 crores in FY19. The company’s impressive portfolio boasts over 1500 brands, including its private label.
In recent years, Falguni Nayar’s net worth has soared, making her one of India’s self-made female billionaires. Nykaa’s valuation skyrocketed, reaching an astounding $13 billion in November 2021 when the company went public. This achievement catapulted Falguni to the top of the list of India’s wealthiest self-made female entrepreneurs.
15. Irina Ghose
Position: Managing Director
Company: Microsoft
The Managing Director of Microsoft, Irina Ghose, has provided over two decades of dedicated service to Microsoft. She has held multiple leadership roles, including Strategy and Sales positions across Enterprise, Solution Sales, Partner Solutions, and Education segments. In her previous role as the Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft India, Irina was responsible for overseeing the end-to-end operations of the organization. She played a vital role in implementing one of the largest sales enablement programs in the world.
Irina Ghose holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) BHU, which has long been known for producing some of India’s finest engineers. Additionally, she holds an MBA from XLRI, one of India’s top business schools.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Irina has received the ‘Inspirational Women’s Award’ at Microsoft, a testament to her role as a trailblazer for women in the tech industry. Furthermore, her alma mater, IIT BHU, honored her with the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award,’ acknowledging her exceptional achievements in the field of technology. She actively champions the cause of women in business and technology and is involved with ‘Microsoft for Startups’ and her role as a Trustee of SonderConnect, a foundation that supports women entrepreneurs.
Additionally, Irina is the founder of ‘MyLittleBit,’ a philanthropic foundation with a mission to provide education and job opportunities to underprivileged girls.
16. Jamie Neo
Position: Director of Engineering
Company: HP
The advent of Industry 4.0, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, has ushered in a new era of innovation and efficiency. Jamie, the Director of Engineering at HP, has played a vital role in steering the company’s transformation journey towards Industry 4.0, making HP a part of the prestigious World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouses Network for Advanced Manufacturing.
Her career includes a wide array of roles, from the intricate processes of wafer fabrication to assembly operations, quality assurance, product transfer, and more. Her extensive background served as the foundation for her groundbreaking initiative – the Smart Manufacturing Application & Research Center (SMARC) in Singapore. SMARC has become the nucleus of HP’s journey towards Industry 4.0, facilitating the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and best practices.
One of the most notable aspects of HP’s transformation is its embrace of Industry 4.0 technologies. Robotics, Automation, Industrial IoT, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and 3D Printing are among the arsenal of tools that HP has harnessed to enhance productivity, agility, and quality in its Ink Supplies Manufacturing.
Jamie’s influence extends beyond HP, as she holds several external positions, including the role of President and sponsor for the Society of Women Engineering (SWE) affiliate in Singapore. Her commitment to advancing women in tech and her involvement in organizations like SG WIT Chapter and the World Economic Forum’s New Generation Manufacturing Leader (NGML) further showcases her dedication to driving change within the industry.
17. Janice Lai
Position: President
Company: NEC Taiwan
With a remarkable 30-year journey in the realm of Information Technology (IT), Janice Lai stands as a seasoned professional, wielding her expertise to steer organizations toward success. Her extensive work experience includes solutions, sales, marketing, and organizational transformation.
Based in the vibrant city of Taipei, Janice Lai assumed the role of President at NEC Taiwan in 2017. NEC, a prominent Japanese multinational tech giant, entrusted her with the responsibility of overseeing their operations in Taiwan, a testament to her exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Her leadership extends beyond NEC as she concurrently serves as the Chairman of the Board at PTC, a distinguished software and services company.
Before her current role, she held pivotal positions in sales and business development at tech giants such as SAP, Dell, IBM, and Oracle. These experiences fortified her understanding of the ever-evolving technology landscape and equipped her with the skills necessary to drive growth and transformation.
Janice’s dedication to continuous growth and learning is underscored by her academic accomplishments. She holds an MBA from National Taiwan University, a testament to her commitment to academic excellence in tandem with her illustrious career.
18. Jaskiran Bhatia
Position: Partner
Company: Deloitte
Jaskiran Bhatia holds the esteemed position of Partner and Global Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Deloitte. Her career has been marked by a string of notable achievements, including the conceptualization, design, and development of cutting-edge software products and solutions.
As a technology and transformation leader, Bhatia has consistently assumed roles of increasing responsibility. She has not only led technology-enabled functions but has also managed global teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Her ability to bring together diverse talents from around the world speaks volumes about her leadership acumen.
Before assuming her current role as Partner and Global CTO at Deloitte, Jaskiran Bhatia played a vital role in establishing and leading the Data and Analytics Practice at KPMG in India. Her contributions during her tenure at KPMG were instrumental in shaping the firm’s data and analytics capabilities.
Before her time at KPMG, Bhatia spent five years working for IBM, gaining valuable experience and honing her skills in the technology industry. Her tenure at IBM undoubtedly contributed to her deep knowledge and understanding of the technological landscape.
19. Jeeta Bandopadhyay
Position: Co-founder
Company: Tookitaki
Jeeta Bandopadhyay is a dynamic and accomplished professional known for her resilience, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning. With a background steeped in communications and marketing, Jeeta has honed her skills through years of experience with some of the best-in-class organizations. Her entrepreneurial aspirations materialized when she assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer at Tookitaki, a revolutionary RegTech company, where she oversees operations, marketing, and client engagements.
Jeeta is a fervent supporter of women’s empowerment initiatives and an advocate for enhanced professional opportunities for women. As a self-taught technology expert, she has played a pivotal role in steering Tookitaki’s expansion, transforming it into a global entity employing over 100 professionals. Under her guidance, Tookitaki has evolved into a leading RegTech player in the Asia Pacific and US markets. Her achievements are underscored by the company’s inclusion in the Top 56 Technology Pioneer List of the World Economic Forum and the prestigious SGD TechBlazer 2019 award in the most promising innovation category. She has also won the Entrepreneur of the Year title at the Women in IT Awards 2020.
Adding to her accolades, Jeeta was recently acknowledged by the Fintech Association as one of the most prominent women leaders in the fintech sector. Her multifaceted contributions, both professionally and as a champion of diversity, underscore Jeeta Bandopadhyay’s status as a respected leader in the technology and entrepreneurship space.
20. Julie Canepa
Position: Director Digital Transformation, CX Asia Pacific, Greater China & Japan
Company: Cisco
Julie Canepa, Cisco’s Director of Digital Transformation for the Asia-Pacific region, Greater China and Japan, is a leader who has been steering the ship toward innovation and inclusivity for nearly eight and a half years. Her journey with Cisco began in her role as an IT Lead. She later became the CIO of Australia and New Zealand, where she was entrusted with the critical responsibility of IT service delivery to support Cisco’s operations in these two countries. In August 2021, she assumed the role of CIO Asia Pacific, Greater China & Japan where she has been responsible for driving digital transformation that impacts growth, productivity, and user experience. She achieves this by fostering cross-discipline partnerships and facilitating synergies between business leadership, operations, and IT.
One of Julie Canepa’s achievements has been her team’s success in enhancing the utilization and capacity of Cisco’s Webex meetings and Webex Teams. During peak times, her team managed to increase meeting volume by an astounding 24 times the usual rate.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Julie Canepa’s leadership became even more critical. She worked closely with Cisco’s Workplace Resources team to ensure that employees returning to the office were practicing social distancing and adhering to safety protocols. This proactive approach not only safeguarded the health of Cisco’s workforce but also set a precedent for responsible business operations during a global crisis.
Julie Canepa is driven by a passion for advancing women in the tech industry. She serves as an executive sponsor for the ‘Women at Cisco’ initiative, aimed at attracting and supporting women in tech. Additionally, she is a board member of the Diversity Council of Australia, further demonstrating her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.
21. Kamalika Bhattacharya
Position: CEO and Co-Founder
Company: QuoDeck Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
With a successful career spanning over 13 years, Kamalika has co-founded QuoDeck Technologies, a thriving B2B SaaS product company in the Enterprise Learning space. However, her journey into the world of entrepreneurship began long before she co-founded QuoDeck in 2016.
In 2016, Kamalika Bhattacharya teamed up with Arijit Lahiri to establish QuoDeck Technologies. Their shared vision was to merge their passion for gaming with the aspiration of building a global business. The journey commenced modestly, with the two co-founders operating out of a room in their home. However, Kamalika’s tenacity and expertise quickly propelled QuoDeck towards becoming a thriving company with a substantial presence in the global market.
Today, QuoDeck Technologies stands tall with an impressive portfolio of Fortune 500 clients. The company has cemented its position as one of the top three companies in its sector within India, a testament to Kamalika’s strategic leadership and business acumen.
Within QuoDeck Technologies, Kamalika Bhattacharya wears multiple hats. She takes charge of Sales and Finance, spearheading the team’s pursuit of continuous improvement, growth, and agility. She holds an MBA from the prestigious Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad. Her academic journey also includes a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Osmania University, further enhancing her ability to understand the intricacies of finance and business.
22. Kathy M. Zhu
Position: Co-founder and CEO
Company: Streamline AI
Kathy M. Zhu, the Co-founder, CEO, and General Counsel of Streamline AI, has an extensive and diverse background in the legal realm. She embarked on her legal career by attending the University of Michigan Law School from 2008 to 2010, where she earned a coveted J.D. degree in Law. However, her educational pursuits began earlier at the University of Notre Dame, where she sharpened her analytical and communication skills, graduating with a BA degree in English in 2008. During this period, Kathy’s passion for literature and learning took her briefly to the University of Oxford in 2006 and 2007, where she delved into the world of English Literature.
Kathy’s professional experience includes working as an Associate in the Corporate Practice at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and serving as a Law Clerk at API Legal Outreach and a Summer Intern at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
Kathy’s career trajectory shifted gears when she joined DoorDash. Starting as the Senior Counsel and head of Commercial, she rapidly ascended the corporate ladder, eventually founding a Legal Operations department to support the company’s rapid expansion.
Kathy’s entrepreneurial spirit ultimately led her to co-found Streamline AI, where she serves as the CEO and General Counsel. Streamline AI is a cutting-edge Legal Process Management system designed specifically for in-house legal teams. This groundbreaking platform empowers legal professionals with automation and efficiency, transforming the way legal work is executed in modern organizations.
Beyond her professional achievements, Kathy M. Zhu is a staunch advocate for holistic wellness. She understands that true productivity is achieved when we prioritize all aspects of our well-being. To this end, she has been teaching a meditation class since the beginning of the COVID era, emphasizing the importance of mental and emotional health in the legal profession.
23. Kavita Shenoy
Position: CEO
Company: Voiro
Kavita Shenoy is the co-founder of Voiro, a groundbreaking venture dedicated to addressing and overcoming the challenges prevalent in digital publishing. Voiro emerged as a pivotal player in the industry, specializing in providing robust revenue management solutions tailored for digital publishers. The company has grown to become India’s largest home-grown provider in this domain, making significant strides in enhancing revenue monetization and management processes.
Kavita started her career at Google as an agency relationship manager, where she spent time honing her skills. This experience allowed her to identify critical gaps in the digital publishing sector and the formidable challenges publishers grappled with daily.
Voiro’s success can be attributed to Kavita’s acute understanding of the obstacles that media houses face in effectively monetizing their audiences. By recognizing the need for a transformative solution, she led the charge in streamlining workflows, harnessing the power of data, and introducing efficiency through automation. Today, Voiro collaborates with some of the most prominent OTT players, digital publishers, and media houses, guiding them through various stages of digital adoption to achieve sharper monetization strategies.
Kavita Shenoy’s leadership philosophy centers around leading by example and instilling inspiration in her team. She firmly believes in the transformative power of hiring the right talent to accomplish tasks with excellence. By emphasizing this principle, she has positioned herself at the forefront of Voiro’s initiatives, driving the company to revolutionize how organizations approach business and revenue growth in the digital age.
24. Lakshmi Hanspal
Position: Global CISO, Devices & Services
Company: Amazon
As the Global Chief Information Security Officer of Devices and services at Amazon, Lakshmi Hanspal is responsible for ensuring the Trust, Security, and Safety of a vast array of Amazon products and services, ranging from consumer electronics to autonomous vehicles and satellites.
Before assuming her current role at Amazon, Lakshmi Hanspal served as the Global Chief Security Officer at Box, a cloud content management and collaboration platform, where she helped shape the company’s security landscape. Before her tenure at Box, she held a similar position at SAP Ariba. Her career also includes leadership roles at PayPal and Bank of America, institutions synonymous with financial and payment services. Her impressive 16+ years of experience in the financial sector enriched her understanding of the critical role Trust plays in securing financial transactions in the digital age.
As the CSO of Amazon Devices & Services, Lakshmi Hanspal’s responsibilities encompass all facets of Trust, from ensuring the trustworthiness of products to securing the platforms and operating environments that power Amazon’s expansive ecosystem. Trust, she notes, has always been the foundation upon which human interaction in the digital realm is built. However, it is an ephemeral concept—hard to earn and easy to lose. Over her 26-year career, Lakshmi has not only observed but actively influenced the evolution of Trust in digital security practices. This evolution continues to shape the experiences of today’s enterprises and individuals alike.
25. Lee Young-hee
Position: President of the Global Marketing Center
Company: Samsung Electronics
Lee Young-hee is the first woman to hold the prestigious title of president at Samsung. This achievement signifies a significant step forward in promoting diversity and gender equality in one of South Korea’s most prominent corporations.
Lee Young-hee joined Samsung Electronics in 2007, bringing her marketing expertise from her previous role at L’Oreal. Over the years, she was promoted and became vice president in 2012. Before she was appointed president, Lee Young-hee served as the head of the Global Marketing Center of the DX division. This division includes Samsung’s mobile phones and home appliances business, a critical sector for the company’s growth and innovation.
Lee Young-hee’s appointment as the President of Global Marketing is a watershed moment for gender equality in South Korea’s corporate landscape. Historically, executive leadership positions at Samsung have been predominantly occupied by male members of the founding Lee family. However, Lee Young-hee’s rise to power represents a seismic shift in the company’s culture and a testament to her exceptional qualifications.
Read more here: https://www.thestatesman.com/technology/lee-young-hee-becomes-1st-female-president-of-samsung-electronics-1503136383.html#google_vignette
26. Lisa Su
Position: Chair and CEO
Company: Advanced Micro Devices
Dr. Lisa Su’s journey from an electrical engineer to CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is a compelling tale. Since assuming leadership in 2014, Su orchestrated a remarkable turnaround at AMD, propelling the company’s stock to a 20-fold increase and a market capitalization exceeding US$132 billion. Her strategic pivot expanded AMD’s reach from PCs and gaming into servers and data centers, effectively challenging industry giant Intel.
Before AMD, she garnered over 15 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, notably at Freescale and IBM where she held various engineering and business leadership positions, including Vice President of the Semiconductor Research and Development Center. In this role, she was responsible for the strategic direction of IBM’s silicon technologies, joint development alliances, and semiconductor R&D operations.
She holds degrees from MIT, and prolific research earned her recognition as a Fellow of the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers. In 2021, she was appointed to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology by President Biden, cementing her role as a tech industry luminary.
27. May Yap
Position: SVP and CIO
Company: Jabil
May Yap is instrumental in propelling Jabil, a global manufacturing solutions provider, into the digital age. As Jabil’s Senior Vice President and CIO, her responsibilities include, overseeing IT operations across more than 100 sites and managing a workforce of 200,000 employees spread across the globe. She has spearheaded transformation programs at Jabil that leverage technology, smart systems, and analytics.
One of her key contributions is the redesign of Jabil’s overall IT footprint, making it cloud and mobile-enabled, ensuring that the company stays agile and adaptable in the ever-changing tech landscape. She also ensures that enterprise applications, including SAP, MES, MRP, and PLM, function optimally. This includes maintaining a stable IT infrastructure and, importantly, safeguarding IT assets from cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, a critical aspect of modern business operations.
May Yap joined Jabil in 2014. Before her tenure at Jabil, she held senior leadership roles at global giants such as IBM and PwC Consulting. Her focus in these roles was on IT strategy formulation and implementation, IT management, and business and process transformation.
May Yap holds double majors in Mathematics and Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is well-versed in quality and process management, with expertise in Lean Six Sigma and Total Quality Management (TQM) principles. Additionally, she is certified as an ITIL Service Manager, showcasing her commitment to IT service excellence.
May Yap’s professional journey has taken her across the globe to various countries, like the USA, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
28. Meng Wanzhou (Sabrina Meng)
Position: Deputy Chairwoman, Rotating Chairwoman, CFO
Company: Huawei Technologies
Meng Wanzhou, also known as Cathy Meng and Sabrina Meng, is informally referred to as the “Princess of Huawei”. She is the deputy chair of the board and chief financial officer (CFO) of Huawei, a telecommunications giant founded by her father Ren Zhengfei. After graduating from college in 1992, she spent a year working at China Construction Bank before joining Huawei, a startup founded by her father. In 1997, she attended graduate school and earned a master’s degree in accounting from the prestigious Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
At Huawei, she held various pivotal positions within the company, including head of international accounting, CFO of Huawei Hong Kong, and director of the Accounting Management Department. Her roles demonstrated her financial acumen and strategic thinking, which were instrumental in shaping Huawei’s operations.
When Huawei first published the names of its top executives in 2011, Meng was already listed as the CFO, a testament to her early influence and contributions to the company. Her financial stewardship helped Huawei navigate a rapidly changing global market, enabling it to grow and expand its footprint worldwide. Under Meng Wanzhou’s leadership, Huawei underwent a transformative journey, evolving into a digital and intelligent finance organization.
Read more here: https://www.huawei.com/en/executives/board-of-directors/meng-wanzhou
29. Meerah Rajavel
Position: CIO
Company: Palo Alto
Born and raised in the picturesque town of Virudhunagar, Meerah Rajavel has a career spanning over 25 years across some of the biggest names in the IT industry and currently is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Palo Alto Networks.
Meerah started her career at Lotus Infotech, a small company, where she honed her programming skills while contributing to turnkey projects for large corporations. She then joined Infosys, where she was part of the product engineering team working with Nortel Networks as a client.
In 2001, she joined Cisco and later on transitioned to McAfee, where she contributed significantly to the company’s cybersecurity initiatives. She has also held pivotal roles at top IT companies like Citrix, McAfee, Cisco Systems, and Forcepoint, eventually becoming the CIO of Palo Alto Networks.
Meerah Rajavel’s specialties encompass a wide range of critical areas, including IT and Digital Executive Leadership, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Data and Analytics, Governance and Compliance, Business Process Reengineering, and more.
30. Mi-Kyoung Park
Position: Founder
Company: One BioMed Pte Ltd
Dr. Park has an impressive academic and industrial background spanning over 25 years with groundbreaking research achievements and the publication of 24 peer-reviewed articles, along with over 60 additional publications. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Houston, and before that, she earned a B.E and M.E in Chemical Engineering from Hongik University in South Korea.
One of Dr. Park’s notable achievements is the development of in-vitro diagnostic devices for cancer and infectious disease detection. Her work in this field has the potential to revolutionize healthcare by providing faster and more accurate diagnostic tools. Moreover, her extensive knowledge in biosensor development, including optical platforms like surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and silicon waveguides, as well as electrochemical platforms such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance-based sensors, showcases her versatility in solving complex scientific problems.
In the realm of surface science, Dr. Park has become a recognized authority. Her expertise in the fabrication and characterization of self-assembled monolayers, ultra-thin polymer films, colloidal particles, and surface grafting of polymers has laid the foundation for advancements in various industries, from materials science to biotechnology.
As the Founder and CEO of One BioMed, she has spearheaded the company’s journey from conceptualization to the development of core technologies. Before her role at One BioMed, Dr. Park led the Bioelectronics Program at the Institute of Microelectronics, A*STAR, in Singapore, where she managed a dynamic team of 25 scientists and engineers.
31. Prasanna Gopalakrishnan
Position: Group Chief Technology Officer
Company: Sky
Prasanna Gopalakrishnan is the Group Chief Technology Officer of Sky Group. She has over 25 years of experience in technology and information systems. Prasanna’s unit plays a pivotal role in maintaining and advancing the tech infrastructure that powers Sky’s diverse portfolio, including broadband, mobile services, customer support, digital platforms, enterprise management, office technology systems, data centers, Sky Labs, and cybersecurity.
Before joining the Sky team, she held executive positions at some of the world’s most prominent institutions, including Bank of America, Boston Private, Harvard University, Fidelity Investments, Thomson Reuters, and State Street Bank.
As the Managing Director & CIO of Consumer Tech Business Operations at Bank of America, she was responsible for over 70 million customers and over 100,000 employees worldwide. Prasanna’s varied set of skills spans Blockchain, AI/Machine Learning Algorithms, Robotic Process Automation, Cloud Strategy and Enablement, Mobile platforms, API, Web Analytics, Data Monetization capabilities, E-commerce, Retail POS Systems, Business Intelligence and analytics, Cyber Security, PCI Compliance, Mobile payments, CRM, Workforce Management, and various methodologies including Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Lean, Kaizen, and Change Management methodologies (ITSM/ITIL).
Prasanna holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University in the USA and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in India.
32. Rathi Murthy
Position: CTO
Company: Expedia
Rathi Murthy serves as the CTO and President of Expedia Product & Technology, where she is instrumental in shaping the company’s technical strategy and platform. Beyond her role at Expedia, she also serves on the Board of Directors for PagerDuty, showcasing her influence in the technology realm.
Rathi Murthy holds a master’s in computer engineering from Santa Clara University, California. Her resume also includes stints at eBay Inc., Yahoo!, Sun Microsystems, and WebMD. Before Expedia, Rathi held the position of CTO at Verizon Media, where her responsibilities included spearheading 5G innovation and managing the platform technology and infrastructure.
She also worked at Gap Inc., where she served as CTO for over three years, which saw her craft a comprehensive technology strategy for the company’s diverse portfolio of brands. In her current role at Expedia, she is dedicated to creating accessible and equitable products while delivering exceptional travel experiences to customers, partners, and developers.
Rathi is committed to giving back to the community and this is exemplified by her role as an Art of Living Teacher, where she actively promotes peace and well-being.
33. Reeny Sondhi
Position: Chief Digital Officer
Company: Twilio
Reeny Sondhi, the current Chief Digital Officer for Twilio, is an expert with over 25 years of experience in delivering strategic and technical products and services that mitigate organizational risk. Her career journey has been full of impactful roles at Autodesk, EMC, and various industry bodies.
One of her significant roles was as the Chief Security Officer at Autodesk, where she consolidated all security functions into one cohesive team, a move that streamlined product security, data protection, regulatory compliance, cloud security, and enterprise security. This strategic transformation allowed Autodesk to transition into a cloud Software as a Service (SaaS) platform provider.
At EMC, Reeny took on the challenge of scaling EMC’s security program from managing three platforms to overseeing a staggering 150+ products. Her exceptional leadership contributed significantly to EMC’s impressive revenue growth, which exceeded $13.5 billion in 2015.
One of Reeny’s remarkable talents is her ability to build and revitalize organizations from the ground up. She has been repeatedly tapped to lead technical teams and transform disjointed organizational functions into cohesive and collaborative environments.
Reeny Sondhi is a thought leader in the field of security and technology. Her extensive experience has made her a sought-after speaker, author, and international keynote speaker on a wide range of security and technology topics. Additionally, she is a founding member of critical industry bodies such as BSIMM and SAFECode.
34. Renee LO
Position: Partner CTO, APAC Regional Director
Company: Google
Renee Lo, Partner Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and APAC regional director, leads the partner technology organization across APAC to empower and grow Google’s partner ecosystem. Her career began as a software engineer, where she developed her technical skills and gained valuable insights into the inner workings of software development. After that she further transitioned into marketing, followed by business development.
Over two decades, Lo acquired a wide set of skills, from coding and technical ones to core product management, where she focused on positioning, messaging, and defining value propositions. This multifaceted experience equipped her with a deep understanding of how to create products that resonate with customers and partners. Lo delved into partner strategy, sales enablement, and go-to-market strategies.
In her current role as Partner CTO at Google, she has prioritized the human element in innovation and problem-solving. As the Regional Director of the Partner Technology Organization across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, Renee Lo plays a pivotal role in empowering and growing Google’s partner ecosystem. Leveraging Google Cloud’s tech stack, her team assists partners in delivering digital transformation and innovative solutions.
Before her tenure at Google, Renee Lo held the position of General Manager of Data and AI for Asia at Microsoft. During her time there, she made significant contributions to Microsoft’s presence in the region, further solidifying her reputation as a tech industry leader. Before her role at Microsoft, she spent four years at Amazon, where her team paved the way in Southeast Asia through direct sales to strategic customers, development and delivery of field enablement programs, growing the partner community, and providing insights to engineering leaders to evolve AWS’ services.
35. Roshni Nadar Malhotra
Position: Chairperson
Company: HCL Tech
Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Technologies and CEO of HCL Corporation is a trailblazing figure in the tech industry and philanthropy. As the first female chairperson of a leading IT company listed in India, she brings a legacy of innovation and a wealth of experience to her role. Roshni’s 12-year journey within HCL, including two years as Vice Chairperson, highlights her dedication and expertise in the corporate world.
Her impact extends beyond boardrooms. Roshni is an influential speaker and a driving force behind numerous philanthropic initiatives, notably the Shiv Nadar Foundation and VidyaGyan, which empowers underprivileged rural students. Her commitment to wildlife conservation led to The Habitats Trust’s creation, aiming to protect India’s natural ecosystems and species. Roshni’s engagement also extends to academia and business leadership roles globally.
Roshni’s impact transcends her professional life, with her TV series “On The Brink” and the children’s film “Halkaa,” both promoting environmental and social awareness. Her educational background includes degrees from Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management.
Read more here: https://www.hcltech.com/leadership
36. Rowena Yeo
Position: CTO
Company: Johnson & Johnson
Rowena Yeo’s journey at Johnson & Johnson began in June 2016 when she joined as Vice President, Information Technology, at Pharmaceuticals Asia Pacific. In this role, she undertook the responsibility of strategic direction and application of technology to support the business objectives of the pharmaceuticals group in the Asia Pacific region.
Before Johnson & Johnson, Rowena Yeo was the Global Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the Agricultural Trading & Processing Enterprise of Cargill, Inc. Simultaneously, she served as CIO for the Asia Pacific Region, underlining her global leadership prowess.
At Cargill, Inc., Rowena helped in building and developing both the Global Business sector and Regional IT teams to facilitate Cargill’s growth. Under her leadership, the company went through critical IT transformations, solidifying her reputation as a seasoned technology leader. Before her illustrious career at Cargill, Inc., Rowena Yeo enjoyed a successful stint with IBM Singapore.
Rowena Yeo’s advocacy extends to serving as a board member of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and championing Women’s Leadership & Inclusion and WiSTEM2D programs at both Johnson & Johnson and Cargill, Inc.
As a native Singaporean, Rowena Yeo’s journey from her Bachelor of Engineering (Honors Degree) at the National University of Singapore to becoming a global technology leader serves as an inspiring example of dedication, vision, and advocacy for sustainable corporate practices diversity, and inclusion.
Image Credit: https://www.scs.org.sg/communities/women-in-technology/exco
37. Sandhya Devanathan
Position: Vice President, India
Company: Meta
Sandhya Devanathan holds an undergraduate degree from Andhra University and an MBA from the prestigious Faculty of Management Studies (FMS) at the University of Delhi. Her career spans over two decades, where she made significant contributions to the world of banking, payments, technology, and more, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
She started her career at Citibank, where she gained valuable experience in the intricacies of banking. In December 2009, she moved to Singapore to join Standard Chartered. In January 2016, Devanathan joined Meta where she assumed the role of Group Director for Southeast Asia, overseeing the company’s endeavors in e-commerce, travel, and financial services. In August 2016, she transitioned to the role of Country Managing Director of Facebook Singapore.
During her tenure, she advocated for women in leadership roles and emphasized the importance of reflecting the diverse demographics of the gaming industry. In 2018, Devanathan expanded her responsibilities by taking on the role of Business Head of Vietnam. After that in April 2020 to Vice President of Gaming in the Asia Pacific region, she continued to make strides in the industry.
In November 2022, Devanathan assumed the position of Vice President of Meta India. With 22 years of experience in banking, payments, and technology, she possesses a wealth of knowledge and insights that have been invaluable to Meta’s global expansion.
Beyond her professional achievements, she serves as the executive sponsor for Women@APAC at Meta and is the global lead for Play Forward, an initiative aimed at enhancing diversity representation in the gaming industry. Furthermore, she sits on the global board of Pepper Financial Services.
38. Shanthi Iyer
Position: CIO
Company: DocuSign
As the Chief Information Officer of DocuSign and with more than 20 years of experience, Shanthi Iyer has successfully bridged complex concepts between business, operations, and IT organizations. Before joining DocuSign, she worked for the technology pioneer Cisco, a Fortune 100 company where she led a team that provides data and insights as a service for the company. Her role involves driving critical data-related activities that enhance decision-making processes across the organization.
One of her notable achievements was streamlining Cisco’s supply chain, a revenue stream worth a staggering $47 billion. Under her leadership, this transformation resulted in a 10% improvement in on-time shipping and a significant increase in productivity, leading to annual savings of $100 million. Moreover, Shanthi successfully transformed the $12 billion services business, introducing a recurring revenue model that strengthened Cisco’s market position.
Before Cisco, she also held various key positions within the company, including Oracle DBA, Chief Data Officer, and SVP of the Data & Analytics group and working at Applied Materials in Santa Clara and MashreqBank in Dubai.
Shanthi holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Madras and a diploma in Computer Science from the National Institute of Information Technology, Chennai. Furthermore, she completed the MIT Supply Chain Leadership Program and the Executive Data Science Program at Northwestern University.
39. Sharon Lim
Position: Founder | Chairwoman
Company: Fashion Ai Hub | Browzwear
Sharon has over 30 years of expertise in building ventures across diverse industries. She started her career in electronics manufacturing in the family business. Over nine years, she propelled the business to a tenfold growth. In Panama, she joined the renowned fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger where she initially worked in their sourcing office before moving on to collaborate with the Tommy Hilfiger international licensee for Latin America.
From there, Sharon joined Browzwear, a pioneering 3D fashion technology company where she started leading business development as a reseller. Sharon later acquired Browzwear, where she served as CEO for an illustrious decade. Under her guidance, Browzwear evolved into the preeminent 3D design and collaboration platform, garnering the trust of leading global brands and manufacturers. Browzwear’s mission was to recreate the tactile and engaging experience of the physical world through innovative 3D digital technology.
After 20+ years of supporting digital transformation for the fashion industry, she is now extending her drive towards AI for Fashion – to future prep the industry. With Fashion Ai Hub, a hands on think tank dedicated to helping Fashion Industry stakeholders to harness the power of AI in various areas including but not limited to supply chain and sustainability, as well as her contributions as VP of the Singapore Fashion Council.
Sharon is actively engaged in fostering positive change within the social impact ecosystem across the Asia Pacific region. Her commitment to mentorship and investment in businesses with robust ESG goals is evident through her involvement with Beneficial Return, an impact investment manager, and Venture Synergist, a private fund co-founded in 2018.
40. Shinta Witoyo Dhanuwardoyo
Position: CEO and Founder
Company: Bubu.com
Shinta Witoyo Dhanuwardoyo’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1996 with the establishment of Bubu.com, a company that has left an indelible mark on Indonesia’s digital landscape. Initially, a web development firm, Bubu.com under Shinta’s leadership, has transformed into a venture builder, birthing new initiatives under its umbrella. Noteworthy among these is Bubu Gaming, a comprehensive gaming and e-sports agency leveraging over 25 years of digital expertise in the e-sports industry.
In 2019, Shinta unveiled startupindonesia.co, an online platform designed to interconnect Indonesia’s startup ecosystems – it facilitates connections with venture capitalists and corporations.
Beyond her involvement with Bubu.com, Shinta has served as the CEO of Plasa.com (formerly Blanja.com), an e-commerce marketplace owned by Telkom Indonesia. During her tenure, the platform attracted investments from eBay in 2012. Following her role at Plasa.com, Shinta became a Managing Partner at Nusantara Ventures, a pioneering technology venture capital fund in Indonesia from 2011 to 2013. Shinta has also been instrumental in establishing the Silicon Valley Asia 2014 Technology Alliance, a non-profit organization aimed at fostering collaboration between Indonesia’s tech industry and Silicon Valley.
For over a decade, Shinta has been an integral part of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Indonesia (KADIN), currently serving as the Head of the permanent committee for Research and Technology in the Digital sector. Her enduring commitment to the industry and tireless efforts in advancing technology make Shinta an influential and respected figure in the Indonesian tech landscape.
41. Subha Tatavarti
Position: CTO
Company: Wipro Limited
Holding the prestigious position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Wipro Limited, Subha Tatavarti leads various key teams, including Service Transformation, Topcoder, Robotics, Open Innovation, and Applied Research.
Before Wipro Limited, Subha Tatavarti worked at Walmart, where she spearheaded product development, technology innovation, and the commercialization of Enterprise Infrastructure. This role required her to keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology and strategize and implement solutions that would drive Walmart’s technological growth.
Before her tenure at Walmart, Subha spent over a decade at PayPal, where she held the position of Head of Product and transformed the platform into a scalable, API-driven ecosystem. Her portfolio of products includes Machine Learning/ Artificial Intelligence (ML/AI) platforms powered by Notebooks, a Data Integration platform, a Data Catalog, and Data ALM.
She co-founded Climetrics, Inc., where she served as a director. Her diverse professional experience includes organizations like Abbott Laboratories, Fannie Mae, Bearing Point, and AOL.
Subha Tatavarti is a lifelong learner and an avid hiker. Her interests extend to trail running and a love for books on philosophy, 18th and 19th-century classics, and management.
42. Sapna Chadha
Position: Vice President of Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier
Company: Google Asia Pacific
Sapna Chadha is the Vice President of Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier of Google, a role that entails Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. With over 25 years of experience in global management, business, and marketing, she has been a part of the Google family since 2014, where she has steadily risen through the ranks, making significant contributions to the company’s mission of providing the most helpful products and services for both advertisers and users in the Asia Pacific region.
Before joining Google, Sapna worked at Deloitte, where she was in consulting. From there she joined American Express, where she held senior management positions, including Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, and played an important part in product development and management, digital marketing, and go-to-market strategy.
Moreover, Sapna Chadha’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion is exemplified by her role as a founding member of Google APAC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. In this capacity, she has been a staunch advocate for increasing representation across the company, particularly for underrepresented groups in Asia.
43. Shivani Saini
Position: Global Digital and Tech Head, VP, Business Units
Company: Haleon
Shivani Saini is a seasoned executive with a remarkable 25-year career in the Digital and Tech sectors. Her illustrious career boasts a series of impressive achievements allowing her to undertake various roles of increasing responsibility at Haleon.
Before that, she worked at GSK Consumer Healthcare as the Head of Tech for the APAC region. She soon ascended the ranks, taking on roles such as Senior Director, Product Lead for Customer and Consumer as Global VP, and eventually Digital & Tech Head, Global VP, overseeing all markets and business units. Shivani has played a pivotal role in driving successful integrations and separations for multi-billion-dollar acquisitions and demergers.
Shivani has also worked at P&G for an impressive 19 years. Notably, she spent nine years in Japan as the Digital Marketing IT Lead, followed by seven years in Belgium as the Supply Chain Planning IT Lead, and three years in Singapore as Japan’s CIO. Over the past decade, she has earned the reputation of being a trusted advisor on leadership teams, reflecting her strategic acumen and invaluable insights.
44. Simmi Dhamija
Position: Chief Operating Officer – APMEA
Company: Wipro
Simmi Dhamija is the Chief Operating Officer of the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (APMEA) strategic market unit at Wipro, where she leads delivery and operations across the strategic market unit’s diverse regions, further supporting its growth objectives.
Before Wipro, Simmi held the role of Chief Transformation Officer at Tech Mahindra where she was the driving force behind the company’s remarkable growth and innovation. With a career of over two decades in the technology industry, Simmi has overseen and led full-scale transformation initiatives for the Indian multinational IT services and consulting firm. Her responsibilities included enhancing profitability and future skilling to spearhead the firm’s digitalization and automation efforts.
Simmi was at Tech Mahindra for an impressive 16 years, allowing her to harness the power of analytics, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and cloud computing to drive Tech Mahindra’s evolution into a forward-looking, digitally savvy organization. Before that, she served as the head of strategic initiatives and global head of strategy and transformation, where she played a pivotal role in making Tech Mahindra a global leader in the IT services industry.
Beyond her corporate endeavors, Simmi is also a sought-after speaker and thought leader, sharing her insights and expertise with industry peers and enthusiasts. Her influence extends beyond the boardroom, and she is a member of the advisory board of the Pinkishe Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to the development, well-being, pride, and happiness of girls and women.
45. Smiti Bhatt Deorah
Position: Co-founder and COO
Company: Advantage Club
Smiti Deorah, a co-founder of the Advantage Club, a thriving HRTech startup, is a name that stands out in the world of technology and entrepreneurship. With a master’s degree in computer science from the prestigious University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), she landed at Microsoft, where she spent over two years at the Redmond office honing her skills in B2B relationship building and account management, gaining invaluable expertise in the world of technology.
With a burning desire to create something of her own, Smiti Deorah returned to India and co-founded Advantage Club. The HRTech startup has since evolved into India’s largest employee-benefit platform that leverages artificial intelligence to drive employee engagement and satisfaction.
As the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Advantage Club, Smiti Deorah’s responsibilities include Business Development, Marketing, Hiring, Content, and Customer Relations. Under her influence, Advantage Club has gone global, spreading its roots in more than 70+ countries. Its consistent month-over-month growth rate of 20 percent reflects its effectiveness in delivering value to both employees and employers.
46. Upasana Taku
Position: Chairperson, Cofounder & COO
Company: MobiKwik
As the Co-Founder, Chairperson of the Board, Executive Director, and COO of the MobiKwik Group, Upasana Taku has not only played a pivotal role in transforming the digital payments ecosystem but has also been a relentless advocate for causes she deeply believes in, such as STEM education for girls, financial inclusion for all, and promoting women leaders in the tech industry.
Upasana Taku started her career in the fintech industry at a time when digital payments in India were in their infancy. In 2009, alongside her Co-Founder, Bipin Preet Singh, she launched MobiKwik. Today, MobiKwik stands as one of India’s leading digital banking platforms, offering a wide array of services, including payments, credit, and savings, allowing financial access to millions of Indians, particularly those in remote areas.
In 2018, Upasana made history as the first female fintech founder to be felicitated by the President of India.
Before founding MobiKwik, Upasana worked as a Product Manager at PayPal in San Jose, where she worked in the Financial Services, Global Payments, and Risk divisions. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering from Punjab Technical University and a Master’s Degree in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University, both of which have provided her with the skillset necessary to navigate the world of fintech.
47. Vidya Rao
Position: Board Member
Company: Micro Focus
With a career span of over25 years in technology consulting leadership and delivery, Vidya Rao is a technology leader who has been a part of Genpact’s IT and digital transformation for nearly three years as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) enabling Genpact to become a world-class technology-driven global business.
Before joining Genpact, she honed her skills at Accenture, where she spent more than 16 years in various roles, one of which involved leading technology delivery for major multinational clients in the consumer goods and pharmaceutical sectors. A role that allowed her to showcase her ability to navigate complex and diverse challenges.
Vidya stepped into the world of technology in 1993, working for companies like Infosys, Wipro, and Cambridge Technology Partners. She holds a degree in statistics from Mumbai University.
As Genpact’s CIO, Vidya Rao oversees the Global IT organization and the Enterprise Data Office. One of her notable initiatives is driving the global ERP program, collaborating closely with ecosystem partners to bring about transformation at scale.
48. Yamini Rangan
Position: CEO
Company: HubSpot
Yamini Rangan is known for her remarkable ability to lead high-performing teams with empathy and curiosity. She has held multiple positions in prestigious tech firms, making significant contributions to their growth and success. However, Yamini Rangan’s remarkable qualities made themselves visible when she served as the Chief Customer Officer at Dropbox, a role that required her to infuse a deep sense of customer focus throughout the organization.
Before Dropbox, Yamini had made her mark as the VP of Sales Strategy and Operations at Workday, where her abilities and strategic prowess helped quadruple revenue and scale the sales of the organization.
Before that, Yamini gained invaluable experience at SAP, where she held several customer-facing leadership roles. Her contributions to strategy, pre-sales, and value-based selling played a pivotal role in sealing landmark deals and enhancing SAP’s position in the industry.
Yamini is a sought-after speaker at SaaS and customer-centric conferences. Additionally, she is a guest lecturer at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. Before ascending to her current role as CEO, Yamini Rangan made history at HubSpot by becoming the company’s first-ever Chief Customer Officer where she oversaw not only customer service but also marketing and sales.
49. Yim Cheng Siew
Position: SVP Digital Value Chain Solutions
Company: Yara Asia Ltd.
Yim Cheng Siew is presently associated with Yara Asia Ltd. as the SVP Digital Value Chain Solutions. Before joining ComfortDelGro Corporation, Ms. Siew Yim Cheng, the SVP at ComfortDelGro, held the position of Global Vice-President at Envision Digital, a Chinese energy start-up, where she focused on developing cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart city solutions. Before her time at Envision Digital, Ms. Siew served as the Chief Digital Officer for JTC Corporation for 11 months and CIO for 7.6 years. She also worked with Microsoft as Senior Director, Enterprise & Partner Group for 12 years.
Ms. Siew’s career is a hot pot of various sectors, including government, transportation, and real estate. This diverse background has made her a multifaceted leader, with a skill set, ranging from driving enterprise sales and partner engagement to spearheading business and digital transformations.
As the chairman of the Ngee Ann Polytechnic ICT Advisory Committee: Ms. Siew actively contributes to shaping the educational landscape in the field of information and communications technology. She is also a Council Member of the Chartered Management Institute Singapore and a Member of the Technical Expert Panel for the Singapore International Mediation Centre and has also held the role of President of the NCB Society (2014-2015).
Before becoming SVP, Ms. Siew Yim Cheng held the post of Chief Digital Officer at ComfortDelGro.
50. Zoe Chou
Position: PR Head
Company: WeChat
Zoe Chou stands out as one of the key architects of WeChat, a messaging and payments super app that achieved the milestone of over 1.2 billion monthly active users in 2022. Zoe Chou’s relentless efforts have propelled WeChat to the forefront of global social media networks.
One of Zoe Chou’s notable achievements was forging a partnership with China Central Television’s annual Chinese New Year’s Eve Gala in 2015. This collaboration introduced millions of television viewers to the WeChat Red Packets campaign, paving the way for Tencent’s Fintech channel, WeChat Pay, to explore new horizons.
Another feather in Chou’s cap was her leadership of the PR and marketing team for the WeChat Open Class Pro roadshow which evolved into one of Tencent’s annual centerpieces, akin to Apple’s Worldwide Developers’ Conference, showcasing the latest developments in internet products.
Taking a leaf out of Tencent’s ‘Tech for Good’ philosophy, Chou leads her team to harness the platform’s potential for social betterment and has embarked on initiatives to enhance product accessibility. Some of the more notable examples include the ‘Screen Reader’ feature and voice-to-text conversion, an initiative that earned Tencent the UNESCO Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2018.
Here we go! The list of top 50 women in tech in Asia. All of them are trailblazers in their professions, fighting the gender norms and inspiring women across the world to do the same.
Did we miss any lady pioneers in tech out? Do let us know in the comments and we’ll shine a spotlight on them.
Disclaimer:
The list of top 50 women in tech in Asia is solely the author’s opinion and is not a ranking of any sort. The author has added the names in alphabetical order and as such is intended to and must be used for informational purposes only. All details – including the personal profiles, experience, and current positions, have been taken from their respective LinkedIn handles or publicly available websites. We do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the above information.
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