In 2016, Sudhir Chaturvedi was facing a decision: become a CEO at a midsize tech firm or take a chief revenue officer role at a similar size firm. He chose the latter, despite feeling it was a step back. In his eight-year stint, he increased the company’s market cap nearly 20-fold. The performance led him to NTT Data North America, where he became CEO in early 2025.
Most recently, NTT Data’s global data business center secured four new sites in Gainesville, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; and Sacramento, California. In all, the facilities account for 115MW of capacity. Additionally, NTT Data will soon add up to 5,000 employees in India.
Here, Chaturvedi, who also holds the global chief growth officer title, spells out how AI is changing the world, shares what book he thinks every leader should read, and reveals what he’d be doing if he wasn’t a tech CEO.
Birthplace: Pune, India
Education: University of Leeds (MBA), University of Poona (MBA)
First Job: “My first job was at A.F. Ferguson & Co., a KPMG affiliate in India. I learnt that client centricity means giving clients the best possible advice even if it’s at odds to their current thinking and plans.”
Best Advice: “Growth solves all problems.”
Pivotal Moment: “In 2016, I was slated to be CEO of a mid-sized tech company but declined due to differing views on future strategic direction. Instead, I took on the role of chief revenue officer of another mid-sized tech company, which at the time seemed like a step back but turned out to be a very successful professional stint and a very rewarding personal experience.”
Destination of Choice: “I enjoy Italy and Japan.”
Dinner Party: “If I could have dinner with any execs, I’d choose Fred Perpall, CEO of The Beck Group and Dave Copps, CEO of Worlds. Fred’s deep experience in large-scale infrastructure, design leadership, and civic engagement makes him a compelling voice on integrating business success with community impact. Dave’s insights on the impact AI is having on business and society would be great to hear.
Toughest Challenge: “As chief revenue officer I took an unknown $800 million business with a market cap of $1.3 billion to a revenue of $4.3 billion and a market cap of $20 billion in eight years.”
Hobby/Passion: “I write short stories—fiction and non-fiction—as well as poetry.”
Local Fare: “I enjoy Uchi Dallas and its Sashimi selection.”
Fun Fact: “I have travelled to over 65 countries, worked on three different continents and some of the greatest cities on earth, including Mumbai, London, and New York. Plus, I’ve spent significant time in Africa, which has taught me a lot about life and business. I have adapted learnings from Africa in the U.S. and European markets.”
Go-to Interview Q: “What are the hardest decisions you have taken in your life?”
First Car: “BMW 318i”
A Better DFW: “The city needs to leverage AI as an asset, and not as a threat, for the betterment of business and society.”
Must-read: “A Team of Rivals by Doris Goodwin Kearns. My biggest takeaway was that it’s easier for a new leader to bring in his own trusted people into a new organization but that disrupts that organization, impacts its culture and likely slows down its growth trajectory. I have always believed in working with the existing team and coaching and enabling them to reach new heights.”
Favorite Concert: “Rolling Stones at Wembley Stadium in London.”
Alternate Reality: “I would be teaching at a business school. My MBA had the biggest impact on my corporate career not just in terms of tools and techniques to deploy, but also from a personal development perspective.”
Childhood Toy: “Meccano blocks”
Biggest Risk: “Definitely skydiving! But in my professional career, I have never shied away from taking on the most difficult assignments. I was heading the highest growth business unit in my company when I was asked to move from London to New York, with two weeks notice, to head an under-performing business unit. I was unfamiliar with both the industry and doing business in the U.S. at the time, but I still managed to work with my team to turn around the business within a year.”
Back to School: “I wish I understood the U.S public sector better—what are their priorities and how can we make a difference through technology?”
Dream Mentor: “The Mandalorian. We are here to serve and protect. ‘This is the Way.’”
Future Forecast: “AI will have as big if not bigger impact than the internet. The convergence of AI, cloud, and data is reshaping how businesses operate. At NTT DATA, we’re at the forefront of this evolution—helping clients harness these technologies to unlock new efficiencies and experiences. The pace of change is exhilarating, and our role as a trusted advisor is more critical than ever.”
