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Varsha Kakati
NEXT100 CIO Winner 2020, Head of IT Financial Services at Mercedes Benz Research & Development India
Professional Background
Varsha Kakati is an accomplished IT professional with a remarkable 21+ years of experience in championing digital transformations across a diverse range of sectors, including manufacturing, energy, research and development (R&D), and Global In-house Centers (GIC). Her career trajectory is characterized by global application ownership and the strategic driving of roadmaps that align with organizational objectives. She has cultivated strong partnerships with esteemed customers and CXOs, fostering collaborative environments that empower teams to thrive and innovate.
Throughout her illustrious career, Varsha has garnered expertise in areas such as Agile Scrum methodologies, IT sourcing, and cost center management. She has been instrumental in leading large-scale global ERP implementations, vast software product developments, and significant consulting endeavors. Her experience also encompasses pre-sales activities, product design and development, operations, and service delivery, making her a versatile leader able to navigate complex challenges and create sustainable solutions.
Varsha's roles have primarily focused on turning around complex situations by laying down clear strategic directions that drive digital and organizational transformation journeys. Her ability to improve customer experience and enable operational efficiency models has proven critical in scaling teams effectively and incubating new technology areas. She actively drives change management initiatives that educate and equip employees to embrace new technologies and collaborate efficiently in a modern work environment.
Adept at working within matrix organizations, Varsha has a proven track record of leading cross-cultural teams distributed across the globe, which attests to her leadership abilities and adaptability in diverse settings. Her strategic vision and focus on execution have made her a key player in ensuring that organizations can navigate the technological landscape with confidence and agility.
Education and Achievements
Varsha Kakati has a strong educational foundation that complements her professional expertise. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree from Karnataka University, where she was honored with a Gold Medal, reflecting her academic excellence and commitment to her field.
In addition to her undergraduate studies, she pursued Data Driven Product Management at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, which provided her with deeper insights into how data influences product success in a technology-driven market. Furthermore, she attended the GE Advanced Information Management program, focusing on Management Information Systems and Services at the renowned GE Crotonville. This advanced training equipped her with the skills necessary to manage information systems effectively within large organizations.
Additionally, Varsha is a qualified Chartered Accountant, having studied at The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. This qualification adds to her versatility as an IT professional with a strong accounting and finance background, enabling her to blend financial acumen with technological expertise seamlessly.
Notable Organizations
Varsha Kakati has held several influential positions in some of the most reputable organizations across various industries. She served as the Head of IT for Daimler Financial Services in Europe at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, playing a critical role in overseeing IT operations and ensuring that technology initiatives align with business goals. Her former role as an Information Officer at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India further underscores her expertise in leveraging information technology to support business processes.
Her prior accomplishments at GE include serving as the Global Applications Leader for GE Research, where she spearheaded initiatives that enhanced the organization’s technological capabilities. Additionally, her role as a Global Program Manager for ERP design and rollout for Global GE Energy positioned her as a key figure in implementing comprehensive ERP solutions that spanned multiple regions.
Varsha’s experience extends to her tenure as a Project Manager and Design Leader for Business Solutions at GE, where she optimized business processes through innovative technologies. Before her time at GE, she was a Solution Architect at Oracle, where she played a pivotal role in designing business solutions that energized clients' operations. Furthermore, she has experience as an Application Support Engineer at Oracle, equipping her with comprehensive insights into the software development lifecycle.
Her career also includes early professional experiences as a Team Leader for Audits & Accounting at U K Anavekar & Co, as well as serving as an Audit Intern for Chartered Accountancy at S B Shetty & Company. These roles solidified her foundational knowledge of accounting principles and practic
