Module 6: Sustainable Technologies in the Era of Digital Innovation

by Shanthi Chandrasekar

Executive Vice President, APAC

Shanthi Chandrasekar heads the Strategic Business Operations in Asia Pacific for Bahwan CyberTek (BCT) a global technology company specializing in innovative IP products and SI services. She has to her credit more than 25 plus years of experience in the field of Information Technology with a specific focus on enabling digital transformation, strategy and sustainability across industry domains. She is extremely passionate leader who believes in creating value by addressing business challenges, providing value add outcomes, enhance productivity, optimise cost by enabling transformation using technology to drive innovation.

She is also a Director, Board of Directors in Comquest ( a JV between Darusallam Assets and Bahwan CyberTek). Prior to joining BCT, she was the Director, KPMG Advisory and has spent about 14 years as a Management Consultant across Far East and Middle East.

As a mentor, Shanthi plays a pivotal role in guiding start-ups and SMEs in the region.

After graduating with an Engineering degree from the University of Madras, Shanthi went on to complete ‘AI – Strategies for Leading Business Transformation’ from Kellogg School of Management and completed the prestigious LEAD Executive program from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

She belongs to a rare breed of leaders with a combination of business and technical acumen. She serves as a trusted adviser to Steering Committees for many large clients across different countries.

Shanthi is considered as a thought leader in AI & Sustainability. She has presented and participated as panellist in many forums in the role of subject matter expert (eg., Walking the talk: Turning sustainability ambition into action” organised by Singapore Business Review & IBM, AI Driven Transformation by Zycus). She is also an active member of the Sustainability Steering Committee within BCT overseeing the implementation of the Group’s Sustainability strategy.

Shanthi is an active member of the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) and Singapore Computer Society (SCS). She regularly contributes articles on Diversity and Inclusion, a topic which is close to her heart.

Shanthi is passionate in developing young female leaders in Asian business environment and in parallel promote inclusion and gender diversity. She actively mentors female professionals within and outside BCT. She was also selected as one of the 15 mentors for W-influence which is a collaborative initiative, for mentoring female MBA candidates at NUS Business School (Singapore), CEIBS (Shanghai) and HKUST Business School (Hong Kong).

Awards Conferred

• Recognized as one of the top 10 MOST IMPACTFUL WOMEN in technology by Analytics Insight Magazine, the world’s first print and digital publication focused on AI, Big Data, and Analytics
• Won two Stevie Awards for Women in Business: Gold Stevie for Female Executive of the Year - Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and Bronze Stevie for Female Executive of the Year - Business Services.
• Shortlisted for the Digital Transformation Leader of the Year for Asia 2021 at the Women in IT Awards Asia 2021
• BCT APAC Team under her leadership won the prestigious APEA awards 2021 under the Corporate Excellence category.