Vanitha Narayanan

Vanitha Narayanan is a senior global executive and Board leader with a successful track record spanning three decades in technology and telecommunications. In 2020, Vanitha retired after a career spanning three decades at IBM where she held multiple key roles leading large businesses in the United States, Asia-Pacific and India geographies. These roles included serving as Managing Director & Chairman of IBM India, Vice President for the Communications Sector across Asia Pacific, Vice President for Global Telecommunications Solutions and finally Managing Director for a strategic Telecom client before her retirement. Vanitha has a reputation for her deep industry expertise in telecom, transforming businesses, unwavering client focus and passion for continuous learning.

Vanitha played a significant role as leader and influencer across industry bodies during her decade in India. She was the first woman chairperson of AMCHAM India (2015- 2016) and served as a member on the National Executive Board from 2014-18. She was on the executive council of National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) 2016-18 and on the Catalyst India Advisory Board. She also served as Chairperson of the Board of Governors for National Institutes of Technology (NIT), Suratkal (2014-2017) and was a member of the National Council of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and served as Co-Chair of National Committee for MNCs. Vanitha was named one of the ‘Most Powerful Women’ in Business in India by both Fortune India (2016- 2017) and Business India (2014-2017), one of the 12 Global Indian Super Women of 2016 by CXOToday and conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Letters by the LNM Institute of Information Technology.

Vanitha is passionate about mentorship, elevating the presence of women in technology and advising corporations as they strive to hit key growth milestones. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Renew Power, one of the largest renewable power companies in India.