Spotlight: CXO movements this week (Sept 21-27)

The week of September 21-27 saw a flurry of leadership changes in the technology industry. Technology companies including Zendesk and Rakuten made significant announcements in critical business roles. Additionally, non-technology firms such as Kale Logistics and IndiaFirst Life also appointed senior tech executives to lead their IT and digital affairs. Movements also happened in global tech firms like OpenAI. Here's the roundup:  

Zendesk expands Maureen Chong’s role to lead business in India

Software-as-a-service (SaaS) firm Zendesk has announced that regional vice president (RVP) Maureen Chong’s role has been expanded to lead its business in South Asia, including India. Chong is currently leading the California-based company’s go-to-market teams across markets in Asia including South East and North Asia. Chong takes over from Vasudeva Rao Munnaluri who left Zendesk to pursue new opportunities. Chong has been with Zendesk for three years and has worked across Asian markets, building and leading teams, and growing the company’s market reach. Earlier, she has worked with Akamai, SAP and Oracle. (Read more)

Ex-SAP Labs exec appointed CTO of Insurtech firm Probus

Probus, an Insurtech company located in Mumbai, announced the appointment of Anand Agrawal as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Agrawal brings more than 20 years of experience in the BFSI and healthcare industries, and he will play a crucial role in shaping Probus' technological strategy to innovate insurance distribution. Prior to this, he was the CTO at Docplexus, where he improved digital healthcare services, and he co-founded River Fintech Labs, which specialised in customer experience solutions. He also held significant positions at SAP Labs, where he focused on developing enterprise mobility solutions. (Read more)

Vivek Zakarde to lead data operations at IndiaFirst Life

Vivek Zakarde has been appointed Head of Data Operations at IndiaFirst Life. Previously, he was Chief Data & Analytics Officer at IDBI Bank, where he excelled in Data Engineering, Data Science, Analytics, AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain, and Customer Experience. His career includes significant roles at IndusInd Bank, India Infoline Group, Reliance General Insurance, EXL Services, and WNS. Zakarde is an expert in Big Data, Cloud Computing, AI, and Data Science. In his new role, he will oversee data management, data science, AI/ML, and business intelligence as part of the senior management team. He also has international experience with companies like British Gas (UK), Ford Motors (US), Suncorp Bank (Australia), and TORM Shipping (Denmark).

Rakuten India appoints new VP to lead enterprise software biz

Rakuten India, the development centre and technology hub of Japan’s Rakuten Group announced the appointment of Jay Swamidass as Vice President and Global Head of Sales in its effort to enhance its enterprise software offerings. With an experience of over two decades in enterprise software sales, Swamidass has held several key leadership positions at Hewlett Packard, Commvault Systems, Veeam Software, and most recently Apica. In his new role, he will drive the sales strategy for Rakuten SixthSense and focus on delivering innovative solutions for enterprise customers.

Kale Logistics gets a new CTO

Kale Logistics Solutions has appointed Tribhuwan Negi as its new CTO. With nearly 25 years of experience in developing large-scale SaaS platforms and managing global R&D, Negi joins during a period of significant growth and innovation, including enhancements to its UN-recognised Airport and Port Community Systems. He will focus on creating AI-driven applications to improve Kale's logistics and supply chain offerings. Negi's appointment is part of a broader leadership expansion, which also includes a new global CFO, chief innovation officer, and chief of human resources.

OpenAI’s CTO Mira Murati resigns amid other exec departures

Mira Murati, OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, has resigned, joining a wave of executive departures this year. In a post on X, she expressed her desire to "create the time and space to do [her] own exploration" and thanked CEO Sam Altman, co-founder Greg Brockman, and the team for their support.

OpenAI's Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew and Research VP Barret Zoph left the organisation on Wednesday, following the announcement of Murati's exit. CEO Sam Altman shared these resignations on X, detailing leadership transitions. Mark Chen has been promoted to Senior VP of Research, working with Chief Scientist Jakub Pachocki. Matt Knight, formerly Head of Security, is now Chief Information Security Officer. Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil and VP of Engineering Srinivas Narayanan will continue to lead OpenAI's applied team for enterprise and consumer markets.