In the dynamic world of modern technology, a select group of visionaries has emerged as pioneers, steering industries toward uncharted territories. These influential leaders have not only revolutionized the way we interact with technology but have also transformed entire sectors. In this blog, we’ll learn about the most influential modern tech leaders of 2023.
Most Influential and Inspirational Modern Tech Leaders 2023
Tech leaders drive innovation, shape industries, and propel advancements. They navigate challenges, inspire teams, and revolutionize the digital landscape globally. These are the most influential people in tech right now:
1. Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos is among the most influential modern tech leaders. The 59-year-old tech magnate began his career at a hedge fund but left to establish Amazon as an online bookseller, turning it into one of the world’s largest revenue-generating companies. Bezos also founded Blue Origin, a space tourism venture that took him to the edge of space.
Consistently ranking among the world’s wealthiest, he currently holds the third spot with a net worth of $178 billion, as reported by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He made headlines this year for prioritizing Blue Origin, expressing commitment to space exploration, announcing philanthropy plans, appointing a leader at Blue Origin, and public interest in his relationship with Lauren Sanchez.
2. Elon Musk
Elon Musk is among the most influential people in technology. He is an innovative entrepreneur from South Africa, who showed an early interest in technology by buying his first computer at age 10 and programming a space game called Blastar at 12. Leaving South Africa at 17 to avoid military service, Musk settled in the U.S., where he co-founded companies like Zip2 and X.com, which later became PayPal.
His ventures continued with SpaceX, revolutionizing space travel, and Tesla Motors, leading the electric car industry. This year, Musk stayed in the headlines by transforming Twitter into X. He sparked controversies for supporting conspiracy theories, using profanity with advertisers, reinstating banned users, and endorsing preferred politicians on his platform.
3. Satya Nadella
Originally from Hyderabad, India, Satya Nadella holds degrees in electrical engineering, computer science, and business administration. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Microsoft. Before assuming the CEO role in February 2014, he held leadership positions in both enterprise and consumer businesses within the company.
Formerly the executive vice president of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group, he successfully transitioned the business to cloud infrastructure and services. He made headlines this year for CEO of the Year accolades, strategic moves at Microsoft, corporate reputation improvements, and discussions on the promise and perils of artificial intelligence.
4. Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg, a self-taught computer programmer, is the co-founder, chair, and CEO of Meta, previously known as Facebook. He started the social networking site, initially named Facemash, in his Harvard University dorm room in 2004 with Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes, and Eduardo Saverin. Currently, Meta is also dedicating $150 million to AR/VR training and resources, aiding students, creators, and developers.
Mark Zuckerberg made news this year for legal issues, including a lawsuit from New Mexico, controversies over teen safety on Meta, a congressional probe into censorship, and the expansion of virtual reality.
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5. Reed Hastings
Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and executive chair, initially worked as an engineer before creating Pure Software. After its acquisition for $750 million, he, along with Marc Randolph, launched Netflix in 1997. Starting as a DVD mail-order service, Netflix shifted to streaming in 2007, influenced by YouTube.
Reed Hastings made headlines this year for stepping down as Netflix CEO after 25 years, focusing on philanthropy. He also rebranded Powder Mountain for an adventure-focused vision with Meriwether. He is one of the most influential people in technology.
6. Jack Ma
Jack Ma, a former English teacher, co-founded Alibaba Group in 1999, growing it into a global e-commerce giant. Stepping down as executive chairman in 2019, he returned to China in March 2023 as Alibaba announced plans to split into six businesses. Jack Ma made headlines amid concerns about his whereabouts after Beijing’s regulatory crackdown on Alibaba. Alibaba President Michael Evans later assured that Jack is alive, well, happy, creative, teaching in Tokyo, and spending more time in China.
7. Tim Cook
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, joined the company in 1998. Before becoming CEO in 2011, he served as COO, overseeing global sales, operations, and the supply chain. With an MBA from Duke, he also played key roles at Compaq and Intelligent Electronics.
Tim made headlines this year for leading product development with innovations like the iPhone X, Apple TV 4K, and more. He sold shares worth $41.5 million, invested in R&D for a mixed-reality headset, and emphasized AI’s significant potential for humanity during a Capitol Hill visit. He has a notable place among the most influential modern tech leaders.
8. Andrew Jassy
Andy Jassy is Amazon’s President and CEO, founding and leading Amazon Web Services (AWS) until July 2021. Joining Amazon in 1997, he held leadership roles in business-to-business and business-to-consumer. Jassy serves on various boards and holds degrees from Harvard University and Harvard Business School.
In 2023, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy made headlines for addressing antitrust concerns, implementing cost-cutting measures, showcasing an authentic leadership style, and mandating a return to the office three days a week for staff.
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9. Marc Benioff
Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, pioneered cloud computing. Under his leadership, Salesforce is a global CRM software leader. Founded in 1999, it’s a Fortune 150 company with 70,000+ employees. Benioff, an innovator, focuses on philanthropy, impacting healthcare, environment, education, and homelessness.
In 2023, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff made headlines for substantial stock sales, growing his fortune to $9.3 billion. Executive changes and company restructuring, performance transformation, and retaining the Dreamforce conference in San Francisco were notable events.
10. Susan Wojcicki
Susan Wojcicki served as YouTube’s CEO from 2014 to February 2023. Currently advising Google and Alphabet, she played a pivotal role in Google’s early days, hosting its founders in her garage. Hired in 1999 as employee number 16, she contributed to various projects like AdSense, Google Analytics, Books, and Images.
In 2023, she made headlines for stepping down after nine years, citing a focus on health and family. Transitioning to an advisory role across Google and Alphabet, she handed over leadership to Neal Mohan.
11. Bill Gates
Bill Gates is definitely among the most influential people in technology. He is a technologist, business leader, and philanthropist, grew up in Seattle, Washington, in a supportive family that fostered his early interest in computers. He co-founded Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen after dropping out of college. Currently, he co-chairs the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with Melinda, focusing on societal philanthropy.
In 2023, Bill Gates made headlines for various reasons. He expressed concern about surpassing critical warming thresholds, emphasized the role of technological innovation in solving global issues, and his high-profile divorce from Melinda French Gates garnered attention. Additionally, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged $40 million for mRNA vaccine development and global health improvement.
12. Brian Chesky
Brian Chesky is the CEO and co-founder of Airbnb, a peer-to-peer room and home rental company that started in 2008. The company went public in a successful IPO on December 10, 2020. Chesky, a former bodybuilder, met co-founder Joe Gebbia at the Rhode Island School of Design. The pandemic significantly impacted Airbnb’s business, leading the company to take $2 billion in funds from private equity firms in April 2020 to stay afloat.
In 2023, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky made news for acknowledging work-life balance, emphasizing purpose, health, and relationships. He shifted the company’s focus to new initiatives after refining its core business.
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13. Evan Spiegel
Evan Spiegel, leading Snapchat since its launch in 2011, faced the challenges of a major tech company. He became a billionaire at 25, but his net worth declined by 83% from 2021 to 2022 amid Snap’s losses and advertising issues. At 33, his estimated net worth is about $3.8 billion.
In 2023, he made news for promoting a hardcore work culture, engaging with employees, and emphasizing the importance of authenticating real news amidst the rise of deepfakes in the digital age. He truly is among the most influential modern tech leaders.
14. Ginni Rometty
Ginni Rometty, former Chairman, President, and CEO of IBM, assumed the role in 2012 and retired on December 31, 2020. During her tenure, she repositioned IBM by investing in high-value IT segments and optimizing the portfolio. Under her leadership, IBM advanced in hybrid cloud, data, AI, quantum computing, security, and industry expertise through acquisitions.
In 2023, former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty gained attention for her book release, Good Power, a memoir covering her 40-year career at IBM, addressing AI, layoffs, and women leaders in tech. She also highlighted the importance of reskilling for the workforce in the age of generative AI. She stands among the most influential people in technology.
15, 16. Larry Page and Sergey Brin
Larry Page and Sergey Brin co-founded Google in 1998 while pursuing Ph.D.’s at Stanford University. In 2015, they established Alphabet, Google’s parent company. Page stepped down as Alphabet’s CEO in 2019 but remains involved and Brin also resigned as president in 2019. Both are influential board members and major shareholders.
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin were in the 2023 news for their absence during Google’s antitrust trials, a significant increase in wealth, and active involvement in AI initiatives.
17. Mary Barra
Mary Barra became General Motors’ CEO in 2014, facing challenges like the ignition switch crisis. She prioritized safety and transparency and achieved record sales. As the first female automotive CEO, Barra received accolades and was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2023.
Mary Barra was in the news in 2023 for her leadership in electric vehicle initiatives, strategic decisions, financial performance amid industry changes, and the company’s partnerships and innovations in the electric and autonomous vehicle space. This made her into the list of the most influential modern tech leaders of 2023.
18. Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani is an influential activist and the founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First (formerly Marshall Plan for Moms). For over a decade, she has advocated for women’s and girls’ economic empowerment, closing the gender gap in tech, and supporting moms affected by the pandemic. Reshma is also the author of the bestselling book Brave, Not Perfect, and her TED talk, Teach girls bravery, not perfection, has over five million global views.
Reshma Saujani made headlines in 2023 for promoting Illinois’ paid leave policy on Fox Business News, speaking at Elon University, and advocating for working moms in the tech sector.
19. Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg, former Facebook COO, served until fall 2022 and remains on the board. In June 2022, she resigned to concentrate on philanthropy. Sandberg serves on the board of Momentive, the company behind SurveyMonkey, once led by her late husband David Goldberg as CEO.
In 2023, Sheryl Sandberg made headlines for leaving Meta, Facebook’s parent company. The media closely examined Sandberg’s role in Meta’s controversies, involving content moderation, data tracking, and her management of PR scandals.
20. Sam Altman
Samuel Harris Altman, an American entrepreneur and investor, co-founded and led OpenAI, creators of the AI chatbot ChatGPT. He served as Y Combinator’s president from 2014 to 2019. Altman invested in various tech startups, including Airbnb and Stripe, and nuclear energy ventures like Helion.
In 2023, Sam Altman faced upheaval. Initially ousted by the board, he was later reinstated due to support from allies, employees, and investors, causing surprise and resistance. The episode prompted a substantial overhaul of the company’s board. In this era of AI, this man truly is among the most influential modern tech leaders.
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21. Thomas Kurian
Thomas Kurian is among the most influential people in technology. He became Google Cloud’s CEO in November 2018. Before Google, he spent 22 years at Oracle, serving as President of Product Development. Earlier, he worked at McKinsey as a business analyst and engagement manager, amassing nearly 30 years of experience in engineering, enterprise relationships, and leadership.
In 2023, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian made headlines for emphasizing partnerships in technology evolution, highlighting rapid infrastructure expansion globally, actively participating in Google Cloud Next 2023, and underscoring AI’s vital role in business innovation.
22. Werner Vogels
Dr. Werner Vogels serves as VP and Chief Technology Officer at Amazon, leading the company’s customer-centric technology vision. A key figure in Amazon’s cloud computing strategy, he’s dedicated to aiding startups in achieving global scale and guiding enterprises towards becoming agile digital organizations. Vogels, with a PhD from Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, joined Amazon in 2004 after being a distributed systems researcher at Cornell University.
23. Timothy Campos
Timothy Campos, founder of Woven Software, Inc., serves as Chief Information Officer at Apple, Inc., and is also the CEO of Woven Software, Inc. He sits on the boards of Haas School of Business, Rackspace US, Inc., and is a director at UKG, Inc. Campos, previously CIO for KLA Corp., and CIO & VP at Meta Platforms, Inc., holds an undergraduate degree and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from Columbia University in New York City.
24. Sam Kini
Sam Kini, currently the Global Chief Information Officer at Unilever since 2022, has been a prominent leader and among the most influential modern tech leaders. With experience heading technology operations at Virgin Media, Telenet, EasyJet, and Tele2, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role at Unilever.
25. Stefan Palzer
Stefan Palzer, currently the EVP and Chief Technology Officer at Nestlé, has built a 23-year career within the company. Beginning as a Project Manager, he progressed to become the Group Leader of the Technology Group. In his current role, Palzer oversees innovation, technology, and research and development (R&D) for the company.
26. Michael Wintergerst
Michael Wintergerst serves as IBM’s Global Chief Technology Officer for the SAP business, collaborating closely with SAP to improve IBM’s hybrid cloud offerings and integrate IBM technology into SAP products. Before joining IBM, he was Executive Vice President at Volkswagen AG, overseeing cloud and in-vehicle platform initiatives, and previously, he held the role of Senior Vice President for the SAP Cloud Platform development organization at SAP.
27. John Powers
John Powers, the Global Chief Information Officer at Deloitte, is a key leader with almost 30 years of experience in the business consulting and services industry. Having started as a Strategy and Operations Consultant in 1994, Powers, a graduate of Brown University, Northwestern University, and Colorado State University, now plays a pivotal role in Deloitte’s global operations.
28. Nagesh Saldi
Nagesh Saldi, currently serving as the Chief Information Officer at Tesla, has a 20-year career in technology roles at Infosys and HP. A graduate of Bangalore University with a Bachelor of Engineering and Honors in Mechanical Engineering, Saldi brings his expertise to the technology function at the electric vehicle manufacturer.
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29. Sukanya S
Sukanya S, currently the SVP and Chief Information Officer at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), started as a SETP Trainee in 1989 and has devoted 34 years to TCS. After graduating from Coimbatore Institute of Technology in 1989 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Technology & Informatics, Sukanya climbed the ranks to her current leadership role.
30. Penelope Prett
Penelope Prett is among the most influential modern tech leaders. She is currently the Chief Information, Data, and Analytics Officer at Accenture and has dedicated 30 years to the company, holding various leadership roles in client and technology functions. In her current position, she oversees Accenture’s global IT operations.
31. Adam Selipsky
Adam Selipsky, now the CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), began his career at AWS by leading marketing, sales, and support for 11 years. During this time, he played a key role in launching and growing the business from a startup to a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Selipsky returned to AWS in 2021 in his current role as CEO. He is among the most influential people in technology.
32. Atish Banerjea
At present, Atish Banerjea serves as the Chief Information Officer at Meta and is also on the boards of five other companies. Before this, he held positions such as Executive Vice President at Pearson Plc, Chief Information Officer and Executive VP at NBCUniversal Media LLC, and Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President at Dex One Corp.
33. Jae Sook Evans
Jae Sook Evans is among the most influential people in tech right now. As the current Chief Information Officer at Oracle, he brings over 20 years of experience in building and leading global technology teams. Her role involves accelerating Oracle’s cloud transformation, enhancing employee productivity and user experience securely, and improving internal builder tools for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and data center services.
34. Jim Swanson
Jim Swanson, as the EVP and Enterprise Chief Information Officer at Johnson & Johnson, is a visionary IT leader with 30 years of experience in driving digitalization. In his role at J&J, Swanson is committed to accelerating the digital healthcare ecosystem and cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and tech-centric culture.
35. Robbert Van Rutten
Robbert Van Rutten, currently the Executive Vice President Information and Digital Technology & Shell Cio, has devoted 25 years to the company, advancing from Sales Manager. He holds an MBA from the TIAS School for Business and Society. He is one of the most influential people in tech right now.
36. Steve George
Steve George, a tech leader with a business focus, implements modern technologies in global teams using hybrid work models. Residing on the Florida coast with his wife and dog, he drives tech transformation at EY globally. Steve aims for a balance between innovation and delivery, emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and collaboration for shared goals in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
37. Stephanie Troester
Stephanie Troester, Global Chief Information Officer at Adecco, is a technology and transformation leader with over 20 years of experience. A strategic thinker, she holds C-suite leadership positions in multinational environments. Troester is known for enabling IT capabilities to address the challenges of tomorrow, driving business goals through her expertise in diverse and multicultural settings.
38. Subha Tatvarti
Subha Tatavarti, the Chief Technology Officer at Wipro since 2021, brings two decades of IT industry experience, specializing in product development, delivery, lifecycle management, cloud computing services, data technology, and analytics. Tatavarti holds a Masters in Computer Science from George Mason University.
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39. Hanna Hennig
Hanna Hennig, currently the Chief Information Officer at Siemens, is an experienced technology leader with 28 years of experience. She has worked for leading organizations such as Robert Bosch, Capgemini, Telefonica, E.ON, and OSRAM. In her role at Siemens, Hennig oversees the company’s global IT operations, making her one of the most influential modern tech leaders.
40. Fletcher Previn
Fletcher Previn, Cisco’s Chief Information Officer, oversees business transformation and simplification for 140,000 employees. As an executive sponsor for Cisco’s work with US Government agencies, he ensures secure global IT at scale. With a background in systems engineering, he’s known for guiding large organizations through Agile transformation, IT modernization, and software development. Before Cisco, he served as Global CIO at IBM.
41. Aaron LaBerge
Aaron LaBerge, President & CTO at Disney Entertainment and ESPN, is a technology executive with extensive experience in internet, television, mobile, sports, and entertainment. He holds a degree from the University of South Carolina. He holds a firm place among the most influential people in tech right now.
42. Lidia Fonseca
Lidia Fonseca has been the Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Pfizer for the past four years. In this role, she oversees the company’s digital, data, and technology strategy, products, and solutions. Additionally, Fonseca is responsible for Learning and Development and Business Process Excellence across the enterprise.
43. Suresh Kumar
Suresh Kumar has spent three decades innovating and leveraging next-generation technology as the Global Chief Technology Officer and Chief Development Officer at Walmart. Leading a global team of technologists, Kumar is instrumental in shaping the future of retail for the company and became one of the most influential modern tech leaders of 2023.
44. Tiffani Sionader
Tiffani Sionader, who worked in the technology industry for 15 years, held positions at elevenia, Lazada Group, and Samsung Electronics. She joined L’Oréal in 2020 and became Chief Digital Officer in 2021 becoming one of the most influential modern tech leaders.
45. Eimear Bonner
Eimear Bonner, 49, assumed the roles of Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Chevron Corporation in 2021. She also serves as President of the Chevron Technical Center, providing technical expertise for global operations and new energy initiatives. Previously, Bonner led Tengizchevroil (TCO) in Kazakhstan and held various leadership positions during her 24-year career with Chevron across the UK, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and the United States.
46. Jen Felch
As Chief Digital Officer and CIO at Dell, Jen Felch guides strategy and delivery for Dell Digital, leading digital transformation and technology adoption. Combining CIO responsibilities with a focus on digital transformation, she spearheads the Dell Digital Way, an innovative approach to introduce new products and capabilities swiftly, ensuring Dell’s competitive advantage.
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47. Ahmad Al Khowaiter
Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter assumed the role of Executive Vice President Technology & Innovation at Aramco on April 1, 2023. Joining Aramco in 1984, he held various roles, including chief technology officer. With a Chemical Engineering degree, he led projects and operations, earned an M.S. in Business Administration, and played key roles in facility planning, university development, and business evaluation.
48. Kalyan Kumar
Kalyan Kumar, known as KK, co-leads HCLSoftware as the Chief Product Officer. Additionally, he serves as the Global CTO & Head of Ecosystems at HCLTech. In his role as Chief Product Officer, KK directs product strategy, management, engineering, and operations. As the CTO, he oversees technology strategy, partner ecosystems, open innovation, and cloud offerings. KK, with over two decades at HCLTech, has held various leadership roles in solutions, business development, and alliance management.
49. Cynthia Stoddard
As the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Adobe, Cynthia Stoddard leads global Information Technology and Cloud Operations teams. With over 25 years of business and IT expertise, she directs a global strategy to deliver mission-critical services and operations for the company. Stoddard has held leadership positions at Adobe, Netapp, Safeway, and APL Limited in supply chain, retail, and technology development.
50. Elizabeth Hackenson
Elizabeth Hackenson, with over 30 years of experience, has led technology operations in large-scale organizations. Before Schneider Electric, she held major CIO roles, including at AES from 2008 to 2017, Alcatel-Lucent from 2006 to 2008, and MCI from 2004 to 2006. At AES, she managed transformative teams, showcasing her expertise in technology leadership and organizational development. She is truly one of the most influential people in tech right now.
51. Greg Lavender
Greg Lavender, the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Intel, leads the Software and Advanced Technology Group. Responsible for Intel’s technical innovation, he oversees Intel Labs, Intel Federal LLC, and Intel Information Technology. Lavender also shapes Intel’s software strategy, focusing on artificial intelligence, confidential computing, and open accelerated computing. With 40 years of experience, he joined Intel from VMware, where he was Senior Vice President and CTO.
52. Ved Prakash Nirbhya
Ved Prakash Nirbhya, the Chief Information Officer at Tech Mahindra, has devoted his career to the company since 2010. Before joining Tech Mahindra, he worked as a Senior Engineer EDP at Bharat Electronics. Nirbhya holds a degree from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, and is a graduate of the National Institute of Technology Surat.
53. Lori Beer
Lori Beer serves as the Global Chief Information Officer (CIO) at JPMorgan Chase & Co., overseeing the firm’s worldwide technology systems and infrastructure. Managing a $15 billion budget and over 57,000 technologists, she supports the retail, wholesale, and asset and wealth management businesses. She’s recognized for her leadership in various prestigious lists and is actively involved in advisory boards and philanthropy, holding honorary doctorates in science.
54. Florian Roth
Florian Roth serves as the Chief Digital and Information Officer at SAP. In his role, Florian oversees SAP’s IT strategy and execution, focusing on the Intelligent Enterprise Solutions (IES) organization as a digital backbone and strategic enabler for innovation. With experience in various leadership positions at SAP since 2005, Florian is recognized as a thought leader in digital transformation, frequently speaking at key events and advising political institutions.
55. Susan Doniz
Susan Doniz serves as the Chief Information and Data Analytics Officer of The Boeing Company and Senior Vice President of Information Technology & Data Analytics. Leading all aspects of IT, enterprise security, data, and analytics, she supports Boeing’s business growth through revenue-generating programs. Prior to joining Boeing, she was Group CIO of Qantas Airways, expanding its digital ecosystem. With a 17-year career at Procter & Gamble, she led IT and analytics programs.
56. Cindy Hoots
Cindy became Chief Digital Officer & CIO at AstraZeneca in January 2020. She started her career in healthcare at American Medical International, gaining 5 years of experience. With deep technical expertise and global business experience, Cindy spent 16 years at Mars, then worked at ITT and SABMiller in South Africa. Recognized as an innovation leader, Cindy is passionate about transitioning companies to be consumer-centric and impacting society positively.
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57. Sheila Jordan
Sheila Jordan serves as Honeywell’s Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Technology Officer, leading the company’s digital transformation initiatives. She oversees IT infrastructure, end-user support, application services, and software development to support digital efforts. With a background at Symantec and Cisco, Sheila has received industry recognition, including being named one of the top 100 women in technology and the most influential people in tech right now.
58. Manish Gupta
Manish Gupta, Group Chief Information Officer at Aditya Birla Group, is a catalyst for digital transformation in large and global organizations and is one of the most influential modern tech leaders. With extensive industry experience, he possesses a profound understanding of both business and digital realms, enabling him to devise solutions that benefit both the organization and its customers.
59. Vidya Rao
Vidya Rao serves as the Chief Information Officer at Genpact. Leading the Global IT organization and driving the company’s internal digital transformation, she focuses on fostering innovation. Vidya, recognized among the top 30 technology executives and top 10 women globally, has over 30 years of experience, with a background at Infosys, Wipro, Cambridge Technology, and Accenture. She holds a degree in Statistics from Mumbai University. She is thus among the most influential modern tech leaders.
60. Patrick Chu
Patrick Chu serves as the Chief Information Officer at CHANEL. As a visionary in the technology industry, Chu brings direct experience in implementing strategies and selecting technologies to enhance entire organizations. His expertise includes establishing and executing innovative IT services and organization management roadmaps.
61. Whitney McGinnis
As the U.S. CIO and Vice President at McDonald’s, Whitney leads the U.S. Technology organization, overseeing technology development, integration, deployment, and support for 14,000 restaurants. Collaborating with McDonald’s senior leadership and franchise owners, she brings the technology strategy to life, enhancing customer and restaurant experiences. With over 20 years in technology, Whitney has driven critical initiatives, focusing on innovation and strategy.
62. Melanie Maas-Brunner
Born in Korschenbroich, Germany, in 1968, Melanie Maas-Brunner earned her PhD in Chemistry from RWTH Aachen University in 1995. Before joining BASF in 1997, she worked as a Research Assistant at Aachen University, Germany, and the University of Ottawa, Canada. Currently serving as a Member of the Board of Executive Directors and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of BASF SE, she oversees European Site & Verbund Management, Global Engineering Services, Corporate Environmental Protection, Health, Safety & Quality, Group Research, and BASF Venture Capital.
63. Jason Conyard
As the former Chief Information Officer at VMware, Jason Conyard led the global information and technology organization, focusing on delivering an excellent work experience and promoting collaboration. Passionate about innovation and results, he actively champions workplace diversity and equity while supporting talent development for enhanced performance and potential.
64. Rashmi Kumar
Rashmi Kumar serves as the SVP and Chief Information Officer at Medtronic. A visionary IT executive and strategist with a focus on emerging technologies and extensive experience in large-scale transformation, Kumar is skilled in creating technology-empowered business strategies through information intelligence. She assumed the role of CIO at Medtronic in 2022.
65. George Thomas
George, a Senior Digital Executive at JLL, serves as Chief Information Officer and Head of Technology, Data & Information Management in Singapore. With a background in GE and HSBC, he’s a leader in technology, data management, data science, and analytics. George, a former professional tennis player, holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering- Operations Research.
66. Kirsty Roth
As Chief Operations and Technology Officer at Thomson Reuters, Kirsty Roth drives the company’s focus on providing an excellent customer and employee experience. With a background at HSBC, Credit Suisse, and Deloitte, Kirsty is a leader in technology and operations, advocating for diversity and being recognized for her influential contributions to finance. She holds a firm place among the most influential people in tech right now.
67. Kristie Grinnell
Kristie Grinnell holds the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at DXC Technology. Before this role, she served as GDIT’s Global CIO and Vice President for Supply Chain, overseeing IT strategic plans and supply chain management. With a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Cornell University, Kristie has a strong background in technology leadership.
68. Andre Fuetsch
Andre Fuetsch serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Network Services at AT&T. He oversees the global technology direction, including network planning, innovation, AT&T Labs, Foundry, and intellectual property. Andre is a key player in designing AT&T’s 5G wireless infrastructure and software-defined networking.
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69. Brett Craig
Brett Craig is the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Target. Leading enterprise technology, he shapes Target’s guest and team experience. Brett oversees the company’s technology roadmap, global product engineering, cybersecurity, data sciences, and architecture teams. Since 2008, he held various leadership roles at Target. He serves on the board of directors for Baxter Credit Union and Genesys Works.
70. Gianni Leone
Gianni Leone is the Global Chief Information Officer at Sephora. With expertise in digital and technology functions across various sectors, including retail, fashion luxury, pharmacy, healthcare, and consumer goods, Leone is a seasoned leader in global, complex, and diverse organizations.
71. William Orange
William Orange serves as Vice President of Information Technology at Nissan Americas, appointed in January 2018. Responsible for managing Nissan’s information systems and services in the Americas, Orange is also a member of Nissan’s Global IS/IT leadership team. With over 25 years of experience, Orange previously held roles at Dell and holds a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University.
72. Lesley Salmon
Lesley Salmon, the Chief Digital and Information Officer of Kellanova (previously part of Kellogg’s), is a business leader specializing in technology. Dedicated to maximizing value, Salmon aligns the company’s IT goals with its business strategy, driving impactful outcomes.
73. Sophie Proust
Sophie Proust has been Atos’ Chief Technology Officer (CTO) since January 2019. Joining Atos in 2014 after the Bull acquisition, she previously led Research & Development at Bull. Sophie held technical managerial roles at Bull, contributing to the mainframe, IT administration solutions, and HW server design. She is also part of the Atos Quantum Advisory board and has served on the boards of directors for Worldline and Université Technologique de Troyes (UTT).
74. Jane Connell
Jane Connell is a Senior Vice President (SVP) and Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Verizon, leading business and digital transformations. With a background at State Street Bank and Johnson & Johnson, she champions diversity and inclusion, focusing on Women’s Leadership and STEM. She actively contributes to the Rutgers University LDSP Advisory Board.
75. Julie Durham
Julie is an accomplished Senior Executive and Digital Transformation leader, currently serving as Chief Technology Officer at UnitedHealth Group. With a successful track record at Fortune 5 organizations, she drives UHC’s Digital Transformation and executes technology investments. Julie’s diverse experience includes engagements with Best Buy, SAP, Nike, Apple, Al-Futtaim ExxonMobil, and GE. Her leadership style thrives in navigating creative, fast-paced environments, and fostering agreement within complex corporate structures.
76. Craig Bright
Craig Bright, the Global Chief Information Officer at Barclays, is a distinguished figure in business and technology with over three decades of experience in financial services. His expertise spans investment, business, and retail banking across regions like Australia, Europe, Asia, and America. Prior to Barclays, he served as Group CIO at Westpac and held key roles at Citigroup, National Australia Bank, and EY, contributing significantly to technological advancements.
77. Rob Cowan
Rob Cowan became Rolls-Royce Holdings’ Group Chief Information Officer in 2021, having previously been the Head of IT Transformation. Earlier, he was the CIO and Vice President at Takeda Pharmaceutical and spent 13 years in various IT leadership roles at Unilever.
78. Navin Ninan
Navin Ninan is the Head of IT Strategy & Solution at Aeries. With over 25 years in the IT industry, he is known for his creativity, results-driven approach, and passion for enhancing customer experience, satisfaction, and enterprise system performance. He holds a firm place among the most influential modern tech leaders.
79. Archie Deskus
Archana (Archie) Deskus is the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at PayPal. She oversees global technology, engineering, information, and data science. Previously, she held senior roles at Intel and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, contributing to their growth and transformation. Archie is also on the board of directors for East West Bank and Cognizant.
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80. Dongyan Wang
Dongyan Wang serves as the Overseas Chief Information Officer at Tencent. With over 20 years of leadership experience in Silicon Valley, Wang specializes in AI, data science, business intelligence, and analytics. He has a track record of achieving results and excels in creating strategic visions and building top-notch teams while working for Fortune 500 companies.
81. Ed McLaughlin
Ed McLaughlin is the President and Chief Technology Officer at Mastercard. He manages the global payment network, enterprise platforms, technology infrastructure, operations, information security, and global technology hubs. McLaughlin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School of Business.
82. Filippo Catalano
Filippo joined Reckitt as Chief Information & Digitization Officer in April 2021. He is responsible for enhancing Reckitt’s IT, Data, and Digital capabilities. With leadership experience at Nestlé and Procter & Gamble, he brings expertise in shaping technology portfolios and driving digital transformations. Filippo is also a Non-Executive Director at Farmer Connect, a tech company focused on blockchain-based traceability for supply chains.
83. Michael Nilles
Michael Nilles is the Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDIO) at Henkel, overseeing Digital, IT, Corporate Venture Capital, and the Open Innovation Platform, Henkel dx Ventures. With over 20 years of experience in digital innovation and business transformations, he has a background in deploying smart, connected, and data-driven capabilities on a large scale.
84. Tanja Rueckert
As a Member of the Board of Management and Chief Digital Officer at Robert Bosch GmbH, Tanja Rueckert is a passionate advocate for the digital future, emphasizing customer centricity. With a PhD in chemistry, she has over 20 years of executive experience in software and building technology, including roles at SAP, SPIE, and as a board member at Capgemini SE. Dedicated to creating technology for life, she ensures it benefits both people and the environment.
85. Michael Voegele
Michael Voegele assumed the role of Chief Digital & Information Officer in March 2021 at Philip Morris International. He joined PMI in 2019 as Chief Technology Officer after working at Adidas from 2011 to 2018. At Adidas, he held various leadership positions, including Global Chief Information Officer, where he led the digital transformation and revamped the IT strategy to be more consumer-centric and innovative.
86. Atul Bhardwaj
Atul Bhardwaj became the LEGO Group’s Chief Digital & Technology Officer in November 2020. He oversees digital and technology teams, driving the company’s ongoing digital transformation for sustained growth. Atul previously held leadership roles at MediaMarktSaturn and Tesco PLC, with a background in technology, logistics, and consulting. He earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the University of Nottingham.
87. Melanie Kalmar
Next on the list of the most influential modern tech leaders is Melanie Kalmar who serves as Corporate Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Digital Officer at Dow. She directs the global strategy for IT and digital capabilities, contributing to Dow’s growth. Melanie oversees various areas, including Information Systems, cybersecurity, analytics, and Dow Services Business. Melanie is actively involved in leadership roles at Dow, supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
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88. Mattias Ulbrich
Mattias Ulbrich serves as the CIO Porsche AG/CEO Porsche Digital GmbH. With a wealth of experience in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry, he specializes in software, AI, digital products, IT governance, management, agile methods, digital leadership, and data security. Ulbrich is a graduate of the University of St. Gallen and Technische Universität Braunschweig.
89. Carlos Goncalves
Carlos Gonçalves is the Global Chief Information Officer at Société Générale, contributing to the company’s IT operations for 30 years. In his role, he enhances IT strength and security, improves operational efficiency, and supports business transformation to better serve customers and employees.
90. Leslie McKay
Leslie McKay has been the Chief Information Officer at CGI since 2021, overseeing global IT strategies for client and professional needs. With over 30 years of experience, Leslie excels in delivering operational excellence in consulting, systems integration, and managed services across industries. Previously, she led CGI’s global delivery centers of excellence. Committed to community outreach, Leslie actively mentors and advocates for women in IT.
91. Rupesh Nain
Rupesh Nain is the Chief Information Officer at Adani Group. With over 25 years in Enterprise IT, he is a digital leader driving business transformation through technology, digital, and analytics. His expertise lies in formulating IT strategies, digital roadmaps, and building high-performance teams.
92. Alegra Kilstein
Alegra Kilstein, the General Manager and Global Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Amdocs, brings over 17 years of IT experience. Having spent a decade with Amdocs, Alegra held various roles, including VP of Global Support Business Unit and Customer Experience Group, VP of Portfolio Management and Process Engineering, and Head of Delivery Operations and Program Management. Previously, Alegra served as CIO and Head of IT at Teledata Networks/ADC.
93. Sabri Albreiki
Sabri Albreiki is among the most influential modern tech leaders. He is the Chief Information Officer at Etisalat, with over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. In his role, he spearheads significant IT and digital transformation initiatives to enhance organizational agility, create new revenue streams, and improve the customer experience across all touchpoints.
94. Denise Russell Fleming
Denise Fleming is the Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of Technology and Global Services at Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD). She leads all aspects of BD’s IT systems, processes, program management, and global shared service centers. With over 25 years of experience, Fleming previously held roles at Boeing, Sprint, and BAE Systems, Inc., focusing on IT, business transformation, and technology solutions.
95. Jimmy NG
Jimmy Ng serves as Group Chief Information Officer and Head of Group Technology & Operations at DBS Bank, a globally recognized institution. Managing over 10,000 technology and operations professionals, he focuses on reimagining banking to enhance customer experiences. In Consumer Banking Operations, he revamped ATM/SSB management and utilized data analytics. In Audit, Jimmy led initiatives using advanced analytics and machine learning, earning external accolades.
96. Meerah Rajavel
Meerah Rajavel, as Chief Information Officer at Palo Alto Networks, oversees global IT functions, driving a strategy to scale and deliver innovative solutions. Formerly CIO at Citrix and with leadership roles at McAfee, Forcepoint, Cisco, and Infosys, Meerah brings a deep understanding of IT challenges. She holds degrees in Computer Science & Engineering and an MBA.
97. Evelyn Su Mei Ooi
Evelyn Ooi, CIO for APAC & Middle East at GEODIS, is a technology leader with 20+ years’ of senior-level experience in Strategic Planning, Digital Transformation, and Change Management. In her role, she spearheads IT transformation and digital initiatives to drive business growth across 18 countries in the region. Evelyn has a successful track record guiding technology strategies for growth across various sectors.
98. Lauren Knausenberger
Lauren Knausenberger is the Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of SAIC, a company with $6.9 billion in annual revenues and 24,000 employees. Joining in October 2023, she leads strategy and innovation, ensuring SAIC’s technology aligns with customer needs. Previously, she was the CIO for the U.S. Department of the Air Force, overseeing IT investment strategy, data management, AI, cybersecurity, and more.
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99. Christophe Auberger
With a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Telecom, Christophe Auberger transitioned from the French Navy’s countermeasures department to IT, leading support at Altis Informatique. Later, he managed pre-sales and consulting at ARCHE Communications. In the 2000s, he co-founded and served as the technical director of the first French MSSP, monDSI.com, later integrated into the RISC group. Joining Fortinet, he led pre-sales and is currently the technical manager for France, serving as an expert for large customers and managing institutional relationships.
100. Raji Arasu
As Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Autodesk, Raji leads the technology strategy and platform initiatives, advancing industry cloud offerings and supporting the developer ecosystem for enhanced customer value, expanded market opportunities, and increased employee productivity. Additionally, Raji oversees Autodesk’s research, focusing on exploring future industry trends like generative design, autonomous assembly, and net-zero efforts.
In the above list of the most influential people in technology in 2023, modern tech leaders like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Satya Nadella continue to inspire through innovation, shaping the future. Their impact on technology resonates, paving the way for transformative change.
Source: Global Leaders Today
