The person behind the work

Dr. Deepak
Kota

Global Technology & Business Transformation Leader
Director, Global IT Support · Mars Snacking
25+ years across enterprise technology, GCCs & digital transformation

I bridge business and technology — not as a function, but as a way of thinking. My work is about translating complexity into decisions, and decisions into outcomes that actually move organisations forward.

DK
🎓
DBA — Summa Cum Laude Swiss School of Business & Management, 2023
📜
Chartered Accountant Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
🏆
All India 13th Rank Cost Accountancy Final · Highest marks in AMA
🌐
Deep Tech Mentor — NASSCOM Startup Mentor · iTNT StartupTN Ecosystem
🥇
Gold Certified Mentor — People & Talent Alchemist Program · Tata Consultancy Services
What drives the work

Built on curiosity.
Grounded in outcomes.

🔭
Foresight over noise

Technology moves faster than governance, strategy, or funding can keep up. I spend time understanding what's actually shifting — not the headline, but the signal underneath it — and translating that into decisions leaders can act on.

⚖️
Governance as strategy

Most organisations treat governance as a constraint. I see it as the mechanism that turns ambition into sustainable execution. The organisations that govern well are the ones that scale well — and the ones that survive what others don't.

🤝
People over platforms

Every transformation I've led has come down to people — their clarity, their confidence, and their capability. Technology is the lever. Culture and leadership are the hands on it. Building high-performing teams across geographies is where most of my energy goes.

📐
Precision in practice

I'm drawn to the gap between what's stated and what's measurable — between strategy and outcome, between policy and practice. Closing that gap is where the real work happens. DK360 exists to make that work accessible.

25 years across industries & geographies

The journey

2025 — Present
Director, Global IT Support
Mars Snacking · Chennai, India

Leading global IT support and service operations following Mars Snacking's acquisition of Kellanova. Owning the global operating model, partner governance, and AI-enabled IT Operations adoption.

2022 — 2025
Director, Global IT Support
Kellanova (formerly Kellogg) · Chennai, India

A newly created role — designed, built and scaled critical global IT support capabilities from India through the enterprise spin-off, covering all business units across Enterprise Applications, Security, Digital, and AI & Analytics portfolios.

2021 — 2022
Head of Engineering & GTM, Cybersecurity Platforms
Tata Consultancy Services

Dual mandate: platform engineering and global delivery for TCS's IP-led cybersecurity SaaS. Led development of the Cyber Defense Suite and incubated Cyber Analytics, Threat Intelligence, and Automation offerings.

2019 — 2021
Head of Initiatives, CIO's Office
Tata Consultancy Services

Enterprise-wide transformation from the CIO's Office — emerging digital adoption, commercialising internal IP, and defining go-to-market strategy across global stakeholders.

2018 — 2019
Head, Retail IoT & Blockchain Solutions
Tata Consultancy Services

Technology Owner for IoT & Blockchain P&L — incubated Connected Retail, Smart Store (BOPIS, planogram compliance, queue optimisation, digital signage) and Blockchain for global retail clients.

2014 — 2018
Global Head, SAP COE, Strategy & Initiatives
Tata Consultancy Services

Full-spectrum ownership across a 25,000+ strong SAP practice — led Global Innovation Centers in Cincinnati, Paris, Japan, and India. Multiple SAP Pinnacle Awards for innovation and customer impact.

2003 — 2014
SAP Practice & Regional Leadership (USA · ANZ · India)
Tata Consultancy Services

Progressive leadership across client partnership in Florida USA, ANZ regional P&L, and SAP COE for Retail & CPG — building capabilities, delivery models, and partnerships across three continents.

1997 — 2003
Early career — Audit, Finance & SAP Consulting
Chaturvedi & Co · Hamosons Exports · TCS

Post-CA qualification: corporate audit and financial governance, then early member of TCS's SAP practice — end-to-end implementations across Manufacturing before transitioning into pre-sales and solutioning.

Core expertise

Where depth meets breadth

AI & GenAI StrategyAdoption, governance, ROI, operationalisation
Global Capability CentresGCC setup, scaling, identity, operating models
Cybersecurity PlatformsSaaS, Cyber Defense, Threat Intelligence
Enterprise Applications (SAP)SAP COE, SuccessFactors, Fiori, cloud solutions
IoT & BlockchainConnected Retail, Smart Store, supply chain
Digital & E-CommerceD2C, platform strategy, AI-driven commerce
IT Governance & OperationsOperating models, partner governance, ITIL
Business TransformationCIO Office, change management, spin-off execution
Financial & P&L ManagementStrategic planning, cost optimisation, ROI
Research & Thought LeadershipPublished research, DK360 Signals, industry forums
Startup MentoringNASSCOM Deep Tech · iTNT StartupTN · TCS Alchemist Gold
Multi-Region LeadershipIndia · USA · ANZ · Europe · Global delivery
Awards & recognitions

Recognised for impact

🏆
IT Guardians — Best Ops & Support UnitConsumer Goods category · India GCC Connect 2025
🎖️
IT Process Excellence LeaderEmergeTech 2024
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Summa Cum Laude — DBA DissertationSwiss School of Business & Management, 2023
📊
All India 13th Rank — Cost Accountancy FinalPrize for highest marks in Advanced Management Accounting
🤝
Excellence in Customer Relationship & DevelopmentTata Consultancy Services
SAP Pinnacle Awards — Multiple occasionsLed and won for TCS SAP Practice innovation & customer impact

Let's think
together

Whether you're navigating AI governance, scaling a GCC, evaluating technology strategy, or looking for a board-level perspective — I'm interested in conversations that matter.

Connect on LinkedIn → Explore DK360 Tools