Meta executive Devanathan joins OpenAI as regional VP

Devanathan's appointment as Vice President for South East Asia and Australia marks a significant shift in her career trajectory within the technology sector. Her departure from Meta, where she spent the last ten years, comes as OpenAI expands its presence across the Asia-Pacific region amid intensifying competition in artificial intelligence markets.

The executive's transition underscores the strategic importance both companies place on the South and Southeast Asian markets, where digital adoption continues to accelerate. OpenAI's creation of a dedicated regional leadership position suggests the organization is moving beyond its traditional focus on developed markets to establish stronger operational foothold in emerging economies with substantial growth potential.

Devanathan's background at Meta, one of the world's largest social media and technology platforms, positions her with substantial experience in navigating regulatory environments and scaling operations across diverse markets. Her expertise is likely to prove valuable as OpenAI seeks to establish governance frameworks and partnerships across jurisdictions with varying approaches to artificial intelligence regulation.

The recruitment represents part of a broader trend of technology companies competing aggressively for experienced executives familiar with regional nuances. As artificial intelligence technologies become increasingly central to business strategy globally, access to experienced regional leadership has become a priority for major technology firms seeking to establish meaningful presence beyond North American and European markets.