Key CXO Moves Signal New Era for Tech, Talent, and Transformation 

Recent high-profile appointments across leading organizations in India and APAC illustrate the region’s accelerated drive toward digital innovation, people-first cultures, and market agility. Five accomplished executives—Mayoori Kango, Raghav Gupta, Upasana Ratra, Dilip Pattanayak, and Gaurav Bhalotia—have been named to prominent leadership positions at some of the fastest-growing brands, reinforcing their commitment to strategic growth, transformative technologies, and talent empowerment. 

Mayoori Kango: Harnessing Data, Digital, and AI as CEO of Publicis Global Delivery 

Publicis Global Delivery (PGD), the tech and digital backbone of the Publicis Groupe, has named Mayoori Kango (yes, that Mayoori Kango) as Chief Executive Officer, underscoring a future-forward vision for integrated digital services. Kango’s remarkable journey—from a celebrated Bollywood actor to a digital transformation leader—captures the transformative potential of diverse leadership. 

Kango’s track record across digital strategy, marketing, and technology is formidable. With senior stints at Google—where she served as Industry Head for AI, Martech, and Media Solutions—and leadership roles at Performics and Zenith, Kango brings deep expertise in data-driven innovation and scalable media solutions.  

At PGD, she will partner globally to elevate advanced solutions across media, tech, and AI, focusing on operational excellence in the India Delivery Center and driving the evolution of AI practices for client impact. Industry insiders view her appointment as a strategic move to fortify Publicis Groupe’s digital acceleration and enhance its global competitiveness.  

Raghav Gupta: Advancing Generative AI in Education at OpenAI 

OpenAI’s decision to bring on Raghav Gupta as Education Head for India and APAC marks a watershed moment for digital learning in the region. Gupta, former Coursera managing director for India and APAC, has shaped online learning ecosystems and forged impactful partnerships with governments and institutions. His expertise leading Coursera’s regional expansion and fostering technology adoption makes him a natural fit for OpenAI’s mission to democratize generative AI for learners and educators. 

Under Gupta’s leadership, OpenAI is expected to catalyze the adoption of AI-powered tools and learning platforms, bridging education gaps and personalizing learning at scale. He will play a crucial role in localizing OpenAI’s solutions to meet the nuanced needs of diverse educators and students, making India and APAC fertile ground for educational innovation.  

Upasana Ratra: Building Future-Ready Talent Pipelines at Orient Electric 

Orient Electric, a brand synonymous with innovation in consumer electricals, has appointed Upasana Ratra as Head of Talent Acquisition. With extensive experience at JLL, Samsung, and Tata Realty, Ratra is noted for her ability to build agile teams, drive talent strategy, and integrate HR technology for business outcomes. 

As talent landscapes transform post-pandemic, Ratra’s mandate at Orient is to build robust pipelines of future-ready talent, align hiring to evolving business needs, and champion employer branding. Her data-driven approach to talent acquisition will support Orient Electric’s culture of innovation and contribute directly to business growth.  

Dilip Pattanayak: Orchestrating Group HR Excellence at RP Sanjiv Goenka Group 

Dilip Pattanayak’s appointment as President, Group HR at RP Sanjiv Goenka Group (RPSG) reflects the conglomerate’s commitment to HR transformation across diverse sectors—power, retail, IT, and more. Pattanayak is recognized for steering large-scale HR transformations with previous leadership tenures at JSW, Aditya Birla Group, and Indian Oil. 

Tasked with unifying group HR strategy, Pattanayak will harness talent mobility, leadership development, and digital HR adoption to fuel RPSG’s future ambitions. His experience in building resilient cultures and driving scale makes him pivotal in guiding RPSG through its next phase of organizational excellence.  

Gaurav Bhalotia: Enabling Digital Acceleration as CTO, EY India 

EY India has named Gaurav Bhalotia as its Chief Technology Officer, signaling an aggressive push toward digital transformation and innovation in professional services. Bhalotia’s illustrious experience spans leadership at Flipkart, MakeMyTrip, and Google Research, marked by a deep understanding of scalable technology platforms, cloud transformation, and AI-driven customer solutions. 

Bhalotia will spearhead the integration of advanced tech platforms to drive EY India’s consulting, assurance, and tax practices into the future. His strategic vision aligns with EY’s pursuit of holistic digital solutions for enterprise clients and strengthens its reputation as a pioneer in innovation.  

Industry Implications 

This wave of strategic appointments highlights several critical themes underpinning industry transformation in India and APAC: 

• Data-Driven Growth: Leaders like Kango and Bhalotia bring deep digital acumen and AI expertise, poised to redefine customer experience and operational agility. 

• Tech-Led Education: Gupta’s stewardship at OpenAI will expand access to generative AI, amplifying learning outcomes and workforce readiness. 

• People, Process, Performance: Ratra and Pattanayak will recalibrate talent architecture and HR strategy, connecting people to purpose and business goals. 

• Cross-Sector Innovation: Whether in FMCG, education, or professional services, these leaders embody the convergence of technology, talent, and transformation. 

The diversity and depth of these appointments reflect a recognition that true advantage today lies in visionary leadership, strategic agility, and a relentless pursuit of innovation. As these executives take on pivotal mandates, the industries they serve are poised for exponential change, enabled by digital platforms, empowered teams, and bold new ideas.