Neema Uthappa is the chief information officer (CIO) at Oliver Wyman Group.
With more than 23 years of experience driving growth, operational excellence, and strategic digital transformation, Neema boasts a wealth of expertise and a proven track record in leading digital transformation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.
Her impressive career trajectory includes being one of the first three executive women officers (Works Branch) in the Indian Navy, as well as holding key management roles at American Express and McKesson Corporation. Prior to joining Oliver Wyman, Neema served as the head of engineering for cloud data, analytics, and AI at McKinsey & Company.
My goal is to empower our finest talent at Oliver Wyman to become the best version of themselves. This enables us to set high standards rooted in trust and outstanding performance, while providing our clients with innovative and exceptional service
Neema is recognized as an influential expert in AI, blockchain technology, and robotic process automation, and has led a wide range of strategic IT enhancements driving long-term competitive success at the enterprise level. Her leadership skills were recognized with the Way We Work Enterprise Award from McKinsey in 2022, highlighting her excellence in team management and handling large-scale initiatives.
She earned an Executive Degree in Business Administration from the Indian Institute of Management in Indore, India, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Visvesvaraya Technological University. A sought-after speaker at industry conferences, she is recognized for her thought leadership in technology innovation and business strategy. She also authored “The Cinderella Elephant” to inspire young managers to learn, grow, and thrive through life experiences.
Outside of work, Neema explores a new hobby each year, delving into diverse interests such as painting, winemaking, writing, and perfume-making. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Neema is passionate about mentoring young entrepreneurs and start-up CEOs. She is an active advocate for women in technology, with a focus on supporting single mothers. Neema lives in Boston with her husband Harish and daughter Niara.