Cognizant has made a significant stride towards promoting diversity and gender equality within its leadership ranks.
In a groundbreaking move, Cognizant has appointed six accomplished women leaders, including two Indian executives, to the position of Senior Vice President (SVP).
Cognizant’s CEO, Ravi Kumar S., expressed his enthusiasm for these appointments, emphasizing the importance of systemic diversity and inclusivity. The company aims to integrate these values into all aspects of their operations, from recruitment and hiring to talent development, promotions, and employee retention.
Sailaja Josyula, one of the Indian women leaders, has been promoted to the position of SVP for Intuitive Operations & Automation (IOA) in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector. Her responsibilities cover both the North American commercial markets and global delivery. Sailaja, who has been with Cognizant since 2018, also serves as the Centre Head for Hyderabad.
Another returning executive, Archana Ramanakumar, has rejoined Cognizant as SVP for the Industry Solutions Group (ISG). After gaining experience at LTI and LTI Mindtree, she has come back to Cognizant, where she initially joined in 1996.
Elisa de Rocca-Serra, who joined Cognizant in 2021, has been promoted to the role of SVP for EMEA General Counsel and Contract Lifecycle Risk Management (CLRM). Her responsibilities will involve overseeing commercial risk throughout the client contract lifecycle, contributing to improved operational and financial outcomes.
Thea Hayden, the SVP for Global Marketing, is leading an integrated marketing and digital experience team. This team is responsible for managing the Cognizant brand, design and creative services, social media, thought leadership, and research. She joined Cognizant in 2020.
Patricia (Trish) Hunter-Dennehy, who has been with Cognizant since 2015, has been promoted to the position of SVP for the Healthcare Provider/Payor Business Unit. Her responsibilities include overseeing revenue cycle management, clearinghouse businesses, hospitals, health systems, and health tech companies.
Sandra Natardonato is a seasoned veteran in the IT services industry who has joined Cognizant as SVP for Partnerships and Alliances. Before joining Cognizant, Sandra spent 15 years with Gartner and 11 years with various professional services firms as a senior equity analyst.
These appointments mark a significant milestone in Cognizant’s commitment to promoting diversity and empowering women in leadership roles. The company’s decision to appoint these talented women to key positions reflects a broader industry trend of recognizing the importance of gender balance in corporate leadership.
