Meta has announced a significant leadership change, appointing Sandhya Devanathan, the current Vice President for India, to oversee its operations across Southeast Asia as well. This move comes in the wake of Dan Neary’s departure, who had been leading the Asia-Pacific division for 12 years. Devanathan will now manage pivotal markets such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, all of which are experiencing rapid growth in mobile internet usage and e-commerce.
Since taking charge of Meta’s India business in November 2022, Devanathan has been instrumental in aligning the country’s growth roadmap with Meta’s global priorities. Under her leadership, India has become Meta’s largest market, boasting over one billion monthly users across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The country has also served as a testing ground for various innovations, including the introduction of Instagram Reels and WhatsApp Flows, which were initially rolled out in India before expanding globally.
Strengthening the Leadership Team
In conjunction with Devanathan’s new role, Benjamin Joe, a long-time Meta employee, has been appointed Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific starting in July. Neary expressed confidence in both leaders, highlighting their exceptional track records and capability to drive growth and innovation for Meta’s partners.
Devanathan’s extensive background in technology and finance, including previous leadership roles in Southeast Asia, positions her well to spearhead these new responsibilities. Before joining Meta in 2016, she worked at Standard Chartered Bank and Citi, gaining valuable experience in banking and payments. Her commitment to advancing gender diversity and inclusion in the tech industry further underscores her leadership approach.
Focus on AI and Digital Commerce
As Meta continues to leverage AI and short-form video content to enhance user engagement, Devanathan’s promotion comes at a crucial time. The mobile-first populations in India and Southeast Asia are central to Meta’s strategy for growth and user retention. Her leadership will focus on scaling partnerships and monetization efforts, particularly in digital commerce, which has shown promising potential in markets like Singapore and Vietnam.
In her recent LinkedIn post, Devanathan expressed gratitude to Neary for his leadership and reaffirmed her commitment to Meta’s partners, emphasizing ongoing investment in innovative products to drive growth. With this strategic reshuffle, Meta aims to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving digital landscape of Asia.
