Cognizant appoints Sailaja Josyula, Archana Ramanakumar to key leadership roles

IT services company Cognizant Technology Services (CTS) has appointed Sailaja Josyula and Archana Ramanakumar to key leadership roles in India, with a total of six appointments for women leaders within the company’s global hierarchy. These appointments were either through internal promotions or new hires--to senior vice president (SVP) roles. 

Josyula who worked as global delivery head in Cognizant's banking and financial services practice has been promoted as SVP, intuitive operations and automation for the BFSI sector for the commercial markets in North America as well as global delivery. She also serves as Hyderabad's Centre Head. With more than 56,000 employees, Hyderabad ranks as Cognizant's second-largest delivery centre. 

Another executive Archana Ramanakumar, has been elevated to SVP, Industry Solutions Group (ISG). In 2020, Ramanakumar departed Cognizant after gaining significant work experience at LTI and LTI Mindtree and returned to Cognizant on July 5. In addition to bringing to her current position considerable outside experience, Ramanakumar continues the legacy she started when she first joined Cognizant in 1996, the company said. 

Globally too, Elisa de Rocca-Serra, who joined the company in 2021, has been promoted to SVP, EMEA General Counsel and Contract Lifecycle Risk Management (CLRM). In her newly expanded role, she is responsible for driving improved operational and financial outcomes by managing commercial risk throughout the entire client contract lifecycle. 

Thea Hayden, who was hired in 2000, is now the SVP, Global Marketing. Patricia Hunter-Dennehy also got promoted to SVP, healthcare provider/payor business unit. Hunter-Dennehy joined Cognizant in 2015 as a result of the acquisition of TriZetto. 

The company also promoted Sandra Natardonato as SVP, Partnerships and Alliances on July 17. Prior to joining Cognizant, Natardonato worked as a senior equities analyst for 15 years at Gartner and 11 years at other professional services companies. 

Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S, who joined the company in January, said, “These announcements are something we should collectively celebrate. Advancing diversity must be systemic, woven into everything we do starting with how we recruit and hire, develop, promote, engage and retain talent.” 

Cognizant's first quarter’s net profit increased 3% to $580 million. For the three months that ended in March 2023, revenue declined 0.3% year on year to $4.81 billion. 

The company estimated that its revenues are expected to decline in 2023 as a result of the current distress in the industry and economic downturn as the majority of its revenues come from the US. 

Cognizant has been recognised as one of the top employers by the India Workplace Equality Index (IWEI) in 2022 for ensuring an inclusive culture and workplace.