Bharathi was first named Number Five in the 2025 DataIQ 100 North America listing and has continued to show exceptional prowess as a data and AI leader in 2026. She is a data leader bringing business insight and technical expertise to the forefront of enterprise transformation, as well as exemplifying a leader who effortlessly turns data into measurable business impact. Her work in the role of Vice President of Data and Insights at Swire Coca-Cola and a board member has elevated data and AI from a support function to a strategic lever, shaping decisions across every aspect of the business. Her ability to align data initiatives with commercial goals, secure executive sponsorship, and lead on responsible AI and governance makes her a standout voice in a fast-evolving field.
Bharathi Rajan is Vice President of Data, AI and Digital at Swire Coca-Cola, USA, where she leads initiatives that connect business strategy with data, AI, and digital technology to drive measurable outcomes. Her career has been defined by a consistent focus on bridging the gap between business priorities and technology execution.
Bharathi began her professional journey at Goldman Sachs, where she progressed through a range of roles spanning operations, architecture, and finance. These experiences provided her with a strong foundation in data governance, enterprise systems, and cross-functional leadership, while also shaping her understanding of how data can support complex financial and operational decision-making.
At Swire Coca-Cola, Bharathi has led enterprise efforts across data, insights, and applications. In this role, she delivered multimillion-dollar savings by optimizing business intelligence tools and improving in-house processes, while also strengthening the organization’s broader data capabilities. Her work has focused on building scalable platforms, enabling greater data literacy across teams, and embedding analytics into everyday business decisions.
Bharathi believes that the true value of data and AI lies in their ability to drive innovation while delivering practical, measurable impact. Alongside her leadership responsibilities, she is actively engaged in industry forums and mentoring initiatives, supporting the next generation of data professionals and helping advance the field more broadly.
Bharathi is set to lead digital transformation initiatives at Swire Coca-Cola, focusing on using technology to enable stronger business outcomes and organizational agility.
As a data and AI leader, which traits and skills do you think matter most, and which of those have been most influential for you in your current position?
“Understanding the business and ensuring business stakeholders have trust in your leadership and the outputs from the team. Business wants to see data and AI teams as teams who are there to help and enable them versus pushing technology for the sake of technology.
“Gaining the trust of the business with my peers and ensuring teams are aligned with the outcomes expected from the business has been instrumental in success.”
Reflecting on your career, what is one non-traditional piece of advice (outside of technical skills) you would give to an aspiring data or AI leader aiming for the C-suite?
“Learn the business. When people across the organization see that you are invested in understanding the business and their day-to-day activities, they know you’re in for the long haul and not just pushing solutions which may not necessarily solve their problems.”