Meta's Sandhya Devanathan Joins OpenAI As VP

Sandhya Devanathan, the current head and vice-president of Meta in India, is set to leave the company after nearly a decade to take up a new leadership role at OpenAI. She will be based in Singapore and oversee consumer growth, enterprise adoption, strategic partnerships, regulatory engagement, and operations across Southeast Asia and Australia.

Devanathan has held several senior positions during her tenure at Meta, including helping establish the company's businesses and teams in Singapore and Vietnam. She also worked on Meta's Southeast Asian e-commerce initiatives and later took charge of the company's gaming business across the Asia-Pacific region.

With over 25 years of professional experience, Devanathan has worked across the banking, payments, and technology sectors. She announced her departure from Meta on LinkedIn, recalling the company's focus on helping startups, businesses, creators, and the wider digital ecosystem expand across the region.

Benjamin Joe, Meta's Asia-Pacific vice-president, praised Devanathan for her dedication and leadership, saying her contribution had left a lasting impact on the organisation. Devanathan had assumed responsibility for Meta's India operations in January 2023 and later took on an expanded role overseeing Southeast Asia in June 2025.

Following Devanathan's departure, Arun Srinivas, who was previously managing director and head of India operations under her, will now report directly to Joe. The move comes as OpenAI continues to expand its presence across the Asia-Pacific region, with Devanathan expected to focus on scaling adoption, partnerships, and regulatory engagement in key regional markets.

Devanathan's new role at OpenAI is a newly created leadership position, and she will report to Kiran Mani, OpenAI's managing director for the Asia-Pacific region. Her appointment is seen as a significant move for OpenAI, as the company looks to expand its presence in the region.

The Asia-Pacific region is a key market for OpenAI, and Devanathan's experience and expertise will be crucial in driving the company's growth in the region. Her appointment is also seen as a testament to the growing importance of the region in the global technology landscape.

In the coming months, Devanathan will be focused on building OpenAI's presence in Southeast Asia and Australia, and her experience in the region will be invaluable in driving the company's success. With her departure from Meta, Devanathan leaves behind a legacy of leadership and dedication, and her new role at OpenAI is expected to be a significant move for the company.

The move is also seen as a significant development for the technology industry in the region, as OpenAI continues to expand its presence and drive innovation in the field of artificial intelligence. With Devanathan at the helm, OpenAI is expected to make significant strides in the region, and her appointment is seen as a major coup for the company.

In conclusion, Sandhya Devanathan's move from Meta to OpenAI is a significant development for the technology industry in the region. Her experience and expertise will be crucial in driving OpenAI's growth in the region, and her appointment is seen as a testament to the growing importance of the region in the global technology landscape.