Tech giant Google has named Preeti Lobana as its new Country Manager and Vice President for India. Lobana steps into this role following the elevation of her predecessor, Sanjay Gupta, to the position of President for the Asia-Pacific region at Google.
In her new capacity, Lobana will play a pivotal role in advancing Google’s strategic objectives in India, particularly by harnessing the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to an official Google release, her responsibilities will include driving innovation and creating value for customers in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.
“Preeti will now lead Google India’s sales and operations, emphasizing the company’s commitment to supporting India’s flourishing digital ecosystem,” the statement noted. With eight years of experience at Google as Vice President of customer-centric solutions, Lobana is described as a seasoned leader well-suited for this challenging role.
Sanjay Gupta, Google’s President for Asia-Pacific, expressed his enthusiasm for Lobana’s appointment. He highlighted the importance of India’s dynamic digital landscape, calling it a source of inspiration and innovation for the company. Gupta remarked, “With AI poised to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible, I am incredibly excited to welcome my colleague, Preeti, as our new Country Manager. Preeti’s leadership will be instrumental as we deepen our engagement with India’s unique ecosystem, leveraging AI advancements like Gemini 2.0 to accelerate digital inclusion and unlock unprecedented economic opportunities for every Indian.”
Lobana’s primary focus will be to advance Google’s mission in India by promoting AI-driven initiatives and fostering innovation. The company aims to empower Indian customers while contributing to the nation’s digital growth. As part of her leadership role, Lobana will collaborate with Roma Datta Chobey, the interim Country Manager, who will continue to serve as Managing Director for Google India’s Digital Native Industries.
Preeti Lobana’s appointment reflects her extensive expertise and leadership skills honed over more than three decades in technology and financial services. Her career is distinguished by a consistent emphasis on business transformation, operational efficiency, and enhancing customer experiences.
Before taking on her new role, Lobana served as Google’s Vice President, gTech – Process, Partner, Publisher Operations, Ads Content and Quality Operations. In this role, she led a global team that developed innovative advertising solutions and provided robust support for Google’s customers and partners.
Lobana’s professional journey extends beyond her tenure at Google. She has held significant leadership positions at NatWest Group, American Express, Standard Chartered Bank, and ANZ Grindlays Bank. In these roles, she focused on business strategy, product management, and operational excellence, gaining valuable insights into diverse markets, including India.
An alumnus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad, Lobana is known for her ability to lead change within large, complex organizations. She has successfully built high-performing teams and fostered collaboration across diverse groups, a skill set Google highlighted as a critical asset for her new role.
Google’s appointment of Lobana underscores its confidence in her ability to drive its strategic vision in India. Her leadership is expected to guide the company through a transformative phase, marked by the increasing integration of AI technologies to meet the evolving needs of Indian customers and businesses.
