Meta is losing one of its key leaders in India and Southeast Asia. Sandhya Devanathan, Meta’s vice president for India and Southeast Asia, is stepping down after more than a decade with the company.
But Devanathan is not leaving the technology industry. After a short break, she will join OpenAI in October 2026 to lead the company’s operations across Southeast Asia and Australia.
Her move marks a notable leadership shift as OpenAI continues expanding its global presence and competing for users, businesses and partnerships across fast-growing markets.
Credits: The Global Indian
From Meta to OpenAI
At OpenAI, Devanathan will be responsible for the company’s growth across Southeast Asia and Australia. Her role will cover consumer growth, enterprise adoption, partnerships, operations and engagement with government and regulatory authorities.
The appointment gives OpenAI an executive with extensive experience building technology businesses across Asia-Pacific, particularly in emerging digital markets.
Devanathan joined Meta in 2016, when the company had a much smaller presence in the region. Over the years, she took on increasingly senior responsibilities across different markets and business segments.
Before becoming Meta India’s leader, she helped develop the company’s businesses and teams in Singapore and Vietnam and worked on e-commerce initiatives across Southeast Asia.
Leading Meta India
Devanathan became the vice president of Meta India in January 2023, succeeding former country head Ajit Mohan.
Her tenure came at a crucial time for Meta in India. With more than a billion users across its platforms, India represents one of the company’s most important markets for long-term growth.
During her time leading the India business, Meta continued expanding its relationships with businesses, creators, startups and government institutions while pushing platforms such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook deeper into India’s digital ecosystem.
In 2025, Devanathan’s responsibilities expanded further when she took charge of Meta’s Southeast Asia business and relocated to Singapore.
Meta subsequently appointed Arun Srinivas as managing director and head of its India operations in July 2025. Srinivas will now report to Benjamin Joe, Meta’s head of Asia Pacific.
A Decade of Growth
Reflecting on her time at Meta, Devanathan recalled joining the company in 2016 when its Singapore office had only around 300 employees.
She described the period as one dominated by conversations around digital transformation, with Meta working alongside startups, companies, creators and other parts of the ecosystem.
Over the years, the company’s footprint grew substantially, while its products and business operations evolved across the region.
Devanathan highlighted several achievements during her tenure, including the use of WhatsApp for government citizen services in India, the growth of small businesses across Southeast Asia and support for startups that eventually became unicorns.
Her experience across e-commerce, gaming and digital platforms has given her a broad understanding of the region’s rapidly changing technology landscape.
OpenAI Gains an Experienced Asia Executive
Devanathan’s move comes as OpenAI continues to strengthen its international operations.
Southeast Asia and Australia represent important growth opportunities for the ChatGPT maker, with increasing adoption of artificial intelligence among consumers, startups, enterprises and governments.
Her experience working with businesses and authorities across multiple Asian markets could therefore be particularly valuable as OpenAI seeks to expand enterprise adoption while navigating different regulatory environments.
Benjamin Joe praised Devanathan’s contribution to Meta, describing her dedication, passion and drive as having made a lasting impact.
He also welcomed Arun Srinivas into his leadership team as Srinivas takes Meta India forward.
Credits: Storyboard18
A Major Tech Leadership Switch
Devanathan’s transition from Meta to OpenAI is more than just another executive move. It highlights the increasingly competitive race among major technology companies for leaders who understand Asia’s diverse and rapidly growing digital markets.
After spending more than a decade helping Meta build its presence across the region, Devanathan will now face a new challenge: helping OpenAI turn the growing excitement around artificial intelligence into sustained consumer and enterprise adoption.
She is expected to begin her new role in October 2026, adding another high-profile executive to OpenAI’s rapidly expanding global leadership team.
