Title: Global Commercial Leader
Company: Cognizant
Location: Deerfield, Illinois, United States
Iram Shah, global commercial leader at Cognizant, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in business development and transformation.
Ms. Shah’s illustrious career spans over three decades, marked by her expertise in marketing, business transformation, innovation, P&L and for the past several years in digital transformation and technology. Serving as the global commercial leader at Cognizant in Chicago since 2021, she builds the business of her clients by providing digital transformation strategies and technology modernization. She partners with her clients by bringing technical solutions and her long years of experience in diverse industries i.e, FMCG, oil & gas, manufacturing, energy management and banking & finance. She provides expertise from enterprise technology transformation to advance AI and robotics applications. She has managed several large accounts and has built strong client relationships. In the words of one chief information officer, William Tong, “Iram is an extraordinary business partner who has unique skills and passion in not only understanding clients (technology) needs, but also advising on strategic thinking and initiatives. Iram delivers what she promises.”
Prior to her current role, Ms. Shah was a senior vice president of digital customer experience and customer transformation at Schneider Electric between 2013 and 2020. During her tenure, she led the digital transformation of customer experiences, moving the company from traditional analog engagement to a digital approach. She developed interactive digital applications in the domain of energy management, and managed teams of over 800 people across 5 countries from customer experience experts to black belt engineers. This helped to digitize the customer experience from manufacturing to customer care.
Ms. Shah is a great proponent of corporate responsibility and was on the board of Schneider Electric Foundation NA. In the words of a former chief executive officer, North America, Laurent Vernerey of Schneider Electric, “When you are lucky enough to have Iram lead one of your teams, you can be sure that she will set the bar high, provide motivation and focus and she will get it done. In addition, she will challenge you and the status quo and bring new ideas. She has drive, resilience, she has grit to mention a few of the key attributes that modern leadership requires.”
From 2008 to 2013, Ms. Shah served as the group head of marketing research and planning at Zurich Financial in Zurich, Switzerland. Before this appointment, she was with BP in London from 2001 to 2008, where she held roles such as vice president of strategic marketing and general manager of new business development and innovation. At BP, she supported the various mergers in brands integration and expanded the BP and Castrol brands to new businesses. “A passionate leader who excels in everything she does. Iram is a dedicated professional and an advocate for purpose and vision,” said Anna Catalano, a current board director and former BP executive.
Ms. Shah’s career began in the United States with Gatorade at PepsiCo-Quaker Oats as a marketing director. She then moved to The Coca-Cola Company in Bangkok, Thailand, as the vice president of marketing and new business development. There, she successfully expanded the product line beyond traditional beverages by introducing juices and water, aligning with her passion for understanding evolving customer needs.
Ms. Shah’s academic background includes a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a degree in advanced management from Harvard Business School. She also has several certifications from elite schools including Women on Boards program from Harvard University.
Ms. Shah is actively involved in civic organizations and has held several board positions. She has been the chair of the Sonia Shah Organization since 2013 and has served on the advisory board of Selagine Inc. since 2022. Her past board memberships include Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity and Seeds of Peace.
Ms. Shah’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Chancellor Award for Business and Education from East West University in 2018. She was also named among the 30 Most Inspiring Business Women by Insight Success Magazine and one of the Top 11 International Business Women Leaders of Chicago by Chicago Women Magazine, both in 2017. Earlier in her career, she was recognized among the 100 Most Influential Business Leaders in the UK in 2005, among other accolades.
A sought-after public speaker, Ms. Shah engages audiences on topics such as marketing innovation, gender equality, social responsibility and sustainability. Her professional journey is characterized by courage, focus and action, traits that have consistently defined her leadership style. As she continues to drive transformation through digital innovation and artificial intelligence, Mrs. Shah remains committed to empowering others and creating a meaningful impact through her work.
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