Leaders

When it comes to the smooth operations of an organisation, a Chief Operating Officer (COO) plays a vital role. Right from providing strategic leadership to optimizing operational efficiency, and fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity, a COO's ability to navigate complex business landscapes, manage diverse teams, and implement forward-thinking strategies is critical to achieving sustainable growth in an organization. Great COOs bring unique perspectives to problem-solving, collaboration, and decision-making, which enables organizations to adapt and excel in dynamic environments. By seamlessly aligning vision with execution, they ensure that companies not only meet their objectives but also thrive in an ever-changing global market. One such unique leader is Sucharitha Gangireddygari, the Chief Operating Officer at Studio Infinite.

Sucharitha Gangireddygari exemplifies the qualities of an impactful leader in this pivotal role. Based in Hyderabad, Studio Infinite is a renowned architecture, urbanism, and environmental design studio, where Sucharitha has been pivotal in driving operational excellence and fostering innovation. With her expertise in leading cross-functional teams, implementing cutting-edge automation solutions, and enhancing efficiency, she has significantly contributed to the studio's growth and success. Her dynamic leadership and commitment to excellence serve as a testament to the transformative impact women COOs can have in shaping modern organizations. contributing to enhancing the urban landscape. With a strong emphasis on managing projects of all scales and complexities, the firm ensures meticulous attention to detail in every endeavor.

As both the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Executive Director, I manage dual roles that encompass strategic leadership and operational excellence to drive the firm’s growth and success. As Executive Director, I focus on shaping the company’s vision, values, and governance, building strong partnerships, and spearheading growth initiatives that reflect our commitment to innovation and client satisfaction. In my capacity as COO, I oversee daily operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and process optimization across all projects. This includes leveraging automation, refining workflows, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. A critical aspect of my role is talent development, as nurturing a high-performing and inclusive team is integral to delivering outstanding results. Balancing these roles enables me to align operational priorities with the firm’s strategic objectives while staying responsive to evolving client demands and industry trends.

From an operations standpoint, what are your key focus areas for driving growth at Studio Infinite?

To drive growth at Studio Infinite, my focus areas include fostering collaboration across diverse business units, each with its responsibilities. This collaboration is essential for ensuring seamless operations. Additionally, I prioritize implementing automation and AI tools, which are crucial for improving productivity and staying competitive. We’ve integrated Agile methodologies into our operations to enhance efficiency and quality. Talent development is also a key focus, as nurturing high-performing, inclusive teams is central to delivering exceptional results for our customers. These are the main areas I’m concentrating on to drive growth at Studio Infinite.

In your view, what are some of the most significant challenges you face in your current role, and what steps do you take to overcome them?

A major challenge in my role is balancing the diverse expectations of stakeholders, each with varying priorities, such as cost savings or sustainability, while ensuring operational excellence. Additionally, keeping pace with evolving market trends and retaining top talent in a competitive industry is a constant focus, especially for mid-sized or startup organizations. To address these challenges, I emphasize people empowerment, open communication, and data-driven decision-making. I foster a culture of collaboration, adaptability, and continuous learning, encouraging innovation and reducing the fear of failure. As a leader, staying current with industry trends is essential to remain competitive, and I believe continuous learning is key to navigating these challenges successfully.

Highlight some of the most significant milestones you have accomplished in your professional journey.

Throughout my career, several milestones stand out as personally fulfilling, not for the recognition they bring, but for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Establishing Studio Infinite and watching it evolve into a trusted name in architecture has been immensely gratifying. In my previous roles, notable achievements include driving the Microsoft Azure Rapid Response business in India, empowering individuals, building high-performing teams, and improving operational efficiency to enhance customer satisfaction. Leading M&A integrations, overseeing enterprise-level digital transformation projects, managing teams of over 150 professionals at CA Technologies, and pursuing executive education at prestigious institutions like IIM Ahmedabad, ISB, Cambridge, and Berkeley to expand my skill set have been equally rewarding.

What has been the guiding principle behind your success over the years?

My success mantra has always been driven by passion coupled with a higher purpose. It's not just about having a purpose but truly understanding what motivates me to push beyond my comfort zone and perform at my best. Personal growth is deeply connected to the growth of others, and I believe in lifting those around me as I grow. Passion, combined with a higher purpose, is essential for success. Leadership, in my view, is not always innate but nurtured through a disciplined approach to learning and growth. I’ve consistently made time to learn, seek inspiration from others, and evolve.

Sucharitha Gangireddygari, Chief Operating Officer, Studio Infinite

Sucharitha Gangireddygari is a creative and results-driven IT leader with over 25 years of experience in client-facing roles serving the C&IP, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, media, financial services, energy, telecom and construction sectors.