5 days ago
Former Meta India Chief Joins OpenAI for Regional Expansion
Sandhya Devanathan is leaving Meta to work for OpenAI.
OpenAI created a new job for her leading Southeast Asia and Australia.
She will help more people and businesses use OpenAI’s AI tools.
She will also manage partnerships and work with governments and regulators.
She will live and work in Singapore.
She will report to Kiran Mani, OpenAI’s Asia-Pacific leader.
Several reports say she starts in October, although one report says the date was not confirmed.
OpenAI is growing in Asia, where Indonesia and the Philippines are among its biggest ChatGPT markets.
OpenAI appointed former Meta executive Sandhya Devanathan as vice president for Southeast Asia and Australia.
Devanathan will oversee consumer growth, enterprise adoption, partnerships, operations and regulatory engagement.
She will be based in Singapore and report to OpenAI Asia-Pacific Managing Director Kiran Mani.
Multiple reports say she will begin in October, while one article says her joining date was not known.
The appointment comes as OpenAI expands across Asia-Pacific and competes with Anthropic and Google.
- Who
- OpenAI and Sandhya Devanathan, formerly Meta’s vice president for India and Southeast Asia.
- What
- OpenAI appointed Devanathan as its senior-most leader for Southeast Asia and Australia.
- Where
- Devanathan will be based in Singapore and oversee Southeast Asia and Australia.
- When
- The appointment was reported on August 28, 2026; multiple reports say she begins in October, while one says her joining date was unknown.
- Why
- OpenAI is expanding consumer, enterprise and developer adoption across Asia-Pacific while competing with Anthropic and Google.
Key facts
- Appointee
- Sandhya Devanathan
- OpenAI role
- Vice president for Southeast Asia and Australia
- Start date
- October, according to multiple reports; one report said it was unknown
- Base
- Singapore
- Reporting line
- Kiran Mani, OpenAI’s managing director for Asia-Pacific
- Regional population
- Southeast Asia has more than 600 million people
- Major ChatGPT markets
- Indonesia and the Philippines are among OpenAI’s 10 largest markets globally by ChatGPT users
- Previous experience
- Devanathan joined Meta in 2016 and held leadership roles in e-commerce, gaming and Asia-Pacific markets
Quotes
Sandhya Devanathan
Incoming OpenAI regional vice president and former Meta India and Southeast Asia leader
“Over the years, I've had the privilege of working across sectors like ecommerce and gaming in APAC, and leading talented teams across India and Southeast Asia. Throughout this journey, I've been fueled by the belief that our work brings meaningful connections to people and businesses worldwide.”
livemint.com
“And we were right in the midst of it - helping startups, companies, creators and the ecosystem grow across the region while delivering great experiences for hundreds of millions of our users”
livemint.com
Sources
OpenAI Hires Sandhya Devanathan to Lead Southeast Asia, Australia
Who is Sandhya Devanathan? Former Meta India head joins OpenAI as Asia-Pacific Leader
Meta's Sandhya Devanathan To Join OpenAI As Southeast Asia And Australia VP
OpenAI hires Sandhya Devanathan to lead Southeast Asia, Australia after she quits as Meta India V-P
Devanathan quits Meta, joins OpenAI to lead Southeast Asia, Australia
Meta’s India, Southeast Asia chief Sandhya Devanathan quits to join OpenAI
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