{
  "id": 9142537,
  "title": "Introducing TIME Executives of the Year: Tech and Data",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/introducing-time-executives-of-the-year-tech-and-data",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-22T13:01:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Time",
    "slug": "time",
    "url": "https://time.com/article/2026/09/22/how-we-chose-executives-of-the-year-tech-data/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a world where emerging technologies are reshaping the global economy and news cycle, business leaders must stay ahead of the rapid pace of change. To recognize these trailblazers, TIME has published its inaugural Executives of the Year: Tech & Data list, highlighting 50 individuals making significant strides in technology, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital innovation across various industries.\n\nAmong the notable honorees are Bartley Richardson, CrowdStrike's chief AI and autonomous systems officer, who oversees a new AI research laboratory, and Reddit's CTO, Amit Puntambekar, who is spearheading AI adoption on one of the internet's largest platforms for human conversation. At Eli Lilly & Co., Diogo Rau led the development of a powerful supercomputer named LillyPod, which accelerates biological process modeling and screens potential drug candidates.\n\nOpenAI's Vijaye Raji, CTO of applications, manages engineering for ChatGPT and the coding tool Codex, while at pharmaceutical company Liberty Mutual, Monica Caldas is transforming the century-old insurance firm for the \"intelligence era\" through digital innovation. Caterpillar Inc.'s SVP and chief digital officer, Ogi Redzic, has helped the machinery manufacturer pivot to a data-driven model to address customer needs around labor and safety.\n\nThe list also acknowledges the creation of new positions to address the rapidly evolving landscape. Lionsgate's Kathleen Grace holds the title of the first-ever chief AI officer, and Delta Airlines' Amala Duggirala recently became the EVP and chief digital and technology officer, overseeing a combined digital and technology organization.\n\nOn a global scale, tech innovators in Asia, Africa, and Europe are also driving transformative change. Singapore-based Grab's CTO, Suthen Thomas Paradatheth, has steered the company from a ride-sharing platform to a superapp processing millions of daily transactions across Southeast Asia. Nigerian fintech company Moniepoint's co-founder and CTO, Felix Ike, has established the business as one of Africa's leading financial platforms. Paris-based Back Market, a global online marketplace for refurbished electronics, applies environmental principles to the company's computing practices through the leadership of CTO Dawn Baker.\n\nThese leaders' efforts are central to the significant transformations reshaping modern enterprise, converting innovation into tangible results.",
  "summary": "The inaugural list recognizes 50 business leaders that are shaping the future of technology.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}