NEW YORK (Diya TV) —
In a corporate landscape where female representation at the top remains disproportionately low, Dhivya Suryadevara’s recent appointment as CEO of financial services at UnitedHealth Group (UHG) stands out as a significant milestone. Suryadevara, of Indian origin, has not only shattered glass ceilings but has also joined the ranks of esteemed Indian American CEOs, marking her place in the elite league of corporate leaders.
Suryadevara’s march to the upper echelons of American corporate life is nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from Chennai, India, she catapulted into the spotlight in 2018 when she became the first female Chief Finance Officer (CFO) of General Motors (GM) in its 110-year history. Her ascent from a modest background to the C-suite of one of America’s leading automakers captured international attention, earning her recognition as a symbol of ambition and achievement.
Joining GM as a senior financial analyst in 2004, Suryadevara steadily climbed the corporate ladder, assuming various roles such as Manager of Fixed Income, Managing Director of Investment Strategy, and eventually Vice President of Corporate Finance in 2015. Renowned for her astute financial acumen and strategic vision, she played a pivotal role in GM’s success, particularly in crucial investment decisions and corporate finance planning.
Suryadevara’s tenure as GM’s CFO was marked by several notable achievements. She was instrumental in steering the company through profitable investments, including strategic partnerships with companies like Lyft and the acquisition of Cruise, a self-driving tech startup. Her leadership garnered widespread acclaim, earning her a place on Fortune Magazine’s ’40 under 40′ list of the most influential young people in business.
Suryadevara left GM after just two years as CFO and headed to fintech powerhouse Stripe, where she was CFO for three years before taking time off to tend to family matters.
Suryadevara says her success is rooted in her upbringing and values instilled by her single mother in Chennai. Raised alongside her two sisters, she learned the value of hard work and determination from an early age. From Chennai, she attended Harvard Business School, where she pursued a MBA, and subsequent internships at prestigious institutions like the World Bank.
For thousands of Indian students from middle-income families, Suryadevara’s story serves as an inspiration and testament to the power of perseverance and ambition. Despite facing financial challenges and the pressure to succeed, she has emerged as a trailblazer in the corporate world, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of female leaders.
