Manika Gupta is a visionary technology leader with over 17 years of experience driving digital transformation, corporate strategy, and AI innovation across various industry functions and sectors. As CIO at GE, she has led large-scale IT operations, cybersecurity initiatives, and multimillion-dollar transformation programs. With deep expertise in M&A, cloud migration, and risk management, she excels in aligning IT strategy with business goals. Manika holds an MBA in Information Management and a B.Tech in Information Technology. She is passionate about developing global, results-driven team of teams and building future-ready organizations through continuous improvement and lean practices.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CIO Magazine, Manika shared insights into her leadership philosophy, approach to technology, and commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as her personal philosophies, goals for the future, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Manika. What drives your passion for technology and leadership?
My passion for technology and leadership is driven by the profound impact these two areas have on shaping the future. Technology is an ever-evolving force that has the power to solve complex problems, drive innovation, and transform industries. What excites me most is the connectedness, and the potential technology has, to create solutions that not only push boundaries but also make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I mean driverless cars, eVTOLs, robots, automated homes, the list is never ending on how technology is making lives simpler. Leadership, on the other hand, fills my heart every single day, it fuels my drive to inspire, empower, and guide others through their journey and be a part of it. I still remember from my early career days, one of the first teams I was asked to lead, I had members of the team whose only goal was to feel motivated as they had been burnt out from their prior jobs – it was eye opening and a real platform for me to grow as a leader. From then on, I realized leadership is about understanding the real motivations of your teams, caring for them and helping them uplift every single day for their growth and for the growth of the organizations. Leadership drives a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and resilience, especially in a world where technology plays a central role and ironically sometimes makes it harder for people to connect. Together, this passion drives me to not only lead with purpose but to also innovate and inspire those around me to embrace the possibilities of what lie’s ahead.
What do you love the most about your current role?
For me, It all comes down to the people. I began my career as a software engineer, writing code, and through that experience, I’ve come to firmly believe that technology is straightforward, but people are complex. Building a cohesive team with a shared purpose that consistently delivers exceptional results is both the most challenging and most rewarding aspect of my work — and it’s what I love the most about my role.
As a CIO, I oversee a wide range of technology functions, from managing shared enterprise applications across business units to IT operations for two distinct business segments, along with transformation initiatives within a broad digital ecosystem. With such a diverse portfolio, having a framework that acts as the ‘DNA’ for the team is essential and is the binding element which keeps them focused and moving in the same direction. That foundation begins with aligning everyone around a common set of goals, which, at its core, means understanding the specific business problem we’re aiming to solve together.
I dedicate a significant amount of time working closely with my team to discuss, debate, and refine these fundamental elements. Building a group of experts who are skilled at identifying the right problems is crucial, because data shows that 80% of teams fail to deliver the intended outcomes simply because they are focused on solving the wrong problems — essentially, they’re climbing the wrong hill. So for me, people are the critical and the most important element and I cherish working alongside my teams every single day.
Can you share your thoughts on the future of technology and its potential impact on various industries?
The AI age is here! technologies like generative AI and quantum computing are constantly emerging and old technologies are rapidly evolving. Future of technology is global and connected. The cascading impact of a right or wrong decision has never been more real. AI and automation are the centre stage of every conversation regardless of the industry and the age group you speak with. Starting from communication (social media, instant messaging, virtual meeting rooms) to healthcare (telemedicine, medical AI), to education (online learning) to modes of transportation (driverless cars, eVTOLS) to home and industrial automation including creating digital threads, accessibility to robots, extended reality, biotechnology everything is powered by tech. Blockchain technology is disrupting the financial sector for more secure payments and transactions. I think we are in this crazy phase of massive disruption that is happening across industries all at the same time – disruption that is real and groundbreaking, all thanks to the advancement in technology. The future is bright – it will be chaotic for a while as it is coming with a lot of change and there is going to be a lot of learning before we can realize its full potential. Those who embrace agility and adaptability will win the race.
What role do you think diversity and inclusion play in driving innovation and success in the tech industry?
Imagine a team with people who think the same and do the same work every single day without being challenged or with no drive to innovate and disrupt. Sounds odd and opposite to the growth mindset right? Well, that is why Diversity and inclusion play a pivotal role in driving innovation and success within the tech industry which is evolving by the second and requires innovative thinking to drive large scale impact. By bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, companies are better equipped to approach problems from multiple angles, fostering creative solutions that may not emerge in a more homogeneous environment. Diverse teams are more likely to identify unmet needs and generate ideas that resonate with a broader range of users, enhancing product development and customer satisfaction. Moreover, inclusive workplaces tend to attract top talent from a wider pool, creating a dynamic and adaptable workforce that can respond quickly to changes in technology and market demands. When individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives, collaboration improves, leading to higher employee engagement, productivity, and retention. Ultimately, embracing diversity and inclusion is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic advantage in achieving long-term success not only in the fast-evolving tech sector but in any sector.
Congratulations on being honored the Global CIO 100 Award and recognized as one of the Top 100 women in Technology for 2025. Our readers would love to know the secret mantra behind your success.
I’m deeply humbled and grateful for the recent industry recognitions. For me its three foundational aspects – exposure and being open to new opportunities, the drive for continuous learning and the people who make everything happen. As a seasoned industry leader, I believe constant learning is at the heart of my leadership. I have been with GE for 13+ years and in my early years I rotated through the leadership programs within the company that exposed me to different functions, businesses, leaders and problem statements. Each one of those helped me to build new skills at a very fast pace and over the years I kept being vulnerable and kept taking new roles and challenges that kept adding to my skillset and honestly that’s what has helped me immensely in being the holistic leader that I am today.
Getting opportunities is one thing, realizing and being aware of it is another because when you get one, you need to embrace it and give your best efforts to honour it. Not everyone gets the chance so when you get one, you need to go all in and put in all your efforts as that gives you the platform for exponential growth. When you add curiosity and continuous learning mindset to this platform you get the secret sauce to success. And to top it, when you bring in people to this equation you get the highest high there ever is because leadership usually gets lonely at the top and if you can bring people with you on this journey, it’s the greatest achievement you could ever wish for.
I can’t emphasize enough on the people aspect and how critical and impactful the relationships we build, are to what we do in our personal and professional lives. People are at the root of my success – every milestone has been shaped and touched by the strength of my team and the wisdom of my mentors. The collective belief we have in each other’s strength and the investment we make in each other’s development efforts defines these memorable moments. I firmly believe that success is never solo, it’s a team effort and it’s powered by those who walk beside you.
What personal or professional philosophies have contributed to your success, and how have you applied these principles in your career?
Two guiding philosophies stand out as foundational to my personal and professional growth: being present and embracing failure. These philosophies have not only shaped my mindset but have also been the key to navigating challenges, seizing opportunities, and finding fulfilment in my career.
The combination of being present and embracing failure has been a powerful framework for me personally in any situation. When I focus on the moment and give my full attention to the work at hand, I find that my decisions are more intentional and my relationships with colleagues, clients, and mentors are more genuine. I’m no longer chasing after the next promotion or milestone with blind ambition; instead, I’m investing in each moment and each opportunity, knowing that success will follow when I give my best.
I am a risk taker at heart, and I know that risks come with rewards and failures both. I was 6 years old when my grandfather and I started playing card games. We would play for hours to just beat each other for the happiness of winning. Today, when I reflect on those memories, I think there is so much more to it than it was then (just winning the game), he was teaching me a critical life lesson on wins and losses coming from the risks you take. It made me bold; it helped me build the skills to judge situations effectively to take calculated risks, risks that came with both rewards and learnings – rewards that led to exponential growth and learnings that helped me to adapt and grow further. Failure is not a setback; rather, it is a necessary part of the learning process that ultimately leads to success.
As I think back, these principles have allowed me to stay grounded, resilient, and focused on the bigger picture, while also learning to appreciate the smaller, more meaningful moments that make the journey worthwhile.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
I feel incredibly lucky and deeply grateful for the unwavering support of my family and mentors, whose guidance has shaped the values at the core of who I am today. Growing up, my parents and sister instilled in me the importance of staying positive, learning from my mistakes, and always moving forward. Fast forward to today, my husband’s steadfast belief in me pushes me to constantly challenge myself and strive to become a better version of who I am. From an early age, I learned the priceless value of mentorship, and I’ve been fortunate to have mentors across academia, work, and industry who have not only invested in my growth but have helped shape my leadership journey. Their support has made me who I am today, and I am committed to developing others by sharing my experiences and journey with them for their growth as they are now walking the path I once did, in my early days.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
Not many people know, I am an artist. I love mixing colours, and I do mixed media acrylic paint on canvas whenever I get time, usually on weekends for few hours. Art is therapeutic and spending some time with myself creating something meaningful helps me slow down. Engaging with colours, shapes, and textures promotes a meditative state that quiets my mind and helps to relieve the built-up stress. Art not only soothes the mind but also stimulates positive emotions, fostering a deeper connection to oneself and the world around us. My home is a living art gallery and an excellent conversation catalyst for most of my friends and family.
I also love driving, so on long weekends, I usually drive to nearby destinations, with my husband and our 5-year-old dog (still a puppy), closer to water to spend some time with nature.
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
My biggest and continuous life goal is growth and technology has a key role to play. The role of technology has transformed dramatically over the years. What was once a supporting function is now integral to every aspect of business decision-making. Technology today isn’t just a tool—it has a seat at the board of every company, helping not just shape and drive strategies but also successfully execute them.
Looking ahead I want to continue to build global team of teams to innovate our tech landscape where technology completely takes over the repeatable, mundane tasks while people focus on staying creative and finding gaps/bigger avenues to drive transformation and impact. The power of technology and AI is here however today we are just scratching the surface for short term gains. We need massive brainpower to build the strategy on how we can scale the potential of these superpowers over the next few years to drive the productivity and gains that today we are only discussing. It is much greater than securing complex commercial deals to streamlining supply chains, managing inventory or even anticipating customer needs to minimize downtime. It will be a function agnostic ‘dataverse’ fuelled by human creativity to stitch threads that will drive the new era of business landscape and ecosystem for massive value creation – both for the organizations and for the people.
Alongside this goal, I also want to find meaningful ways of connecting with the next generation of talent. I’m eager to mentor young professionals, not just in technical skills, but in life skills—how to handle stress, navigate failure, manage teams, and tackle challenges that often only come with experience. These are lessons many of us learnt the hard way, and I’m passionate about finding creative ways to educate the next generation of talent and help them grow.
What advice would you give to young professionals looking to break into the technology industry?
For young professionals looking to break into the technology industry, my advice would be to stay curious and never stop learning. The tech landscape is constantly evolving, so embracing a mindset of continuous growth is key. Start by building a strong foundation in the fundamentals, whether it’s coding, understanding data, or learning about emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. But equally important is developing soft skills—communication, problem-solving-asking the questions to find the right problem, and teamwork. These are often the differentiators in a field where technical expertise is just the starting point. Don’t be afraid to take risks, experiment, and fail fast—failure is often the best teacher. Network actively, seek mentorship, and always be open to new opportunities. Remember, tech isn’t just for “techies”—it’s an industry that touches every sector and with AI advancement it will be in the hands of everyone, so find your niche and carve out your unique path.