Ashish Sarkar
EVP & CIO
Owens & Minor Inc
Snehashish (Ashish) Sarkar is responsible for driving strategy, operations, and support for global IT at Owens and Minor Inc. He is part of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) accountable for executing the company's strategic goals of increasing revenue and margin.
He is currently leading significant transformation for the company from building foundational infrastructure, consolidating applications, and transforming business processes. The transformation is designed to help improve their EPS at the same time leapfrogging generations.
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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
Previously, I was responsible for the business transformation office and CIO at Varian Medical System, Inc, which was acquired by Siemens Healthineers. Much of the decision-making moved to the central organization, and therefore I made the change. Owens and Minor is a 140-year-old company; there are many challenges and it provides me a perfect opportunity to drive unprecedented changes and transform the company for the next 140 years.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
I have three. Respect others to get respected. Value your people and build trust. Always do what is right.
With disruption being a key theme of recent years, where do you see the CIO role going in the next 1-2 years?
In my company, IT has the seat at the highest level. I am reporting to the CEO and have complete independence to drive strategy and operations. I see myself running a line of business in three to five years.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a CIO?
Stay persistent, keep big aspirations and drive hard. Take care of your people as your success and failure is because of them.
Tell us 3 facts about yourself.
- I lived on three continents (North America, Europe, and Asia)
I ate a poison berry during my childhood excursion trip.
- I do arm wrestling.
What is the value of joining an Evanta community?
Community makes you stronger. Evanta is a great place to network and learn from fellow colleagues.
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