Global Payments Appoints Sushma Punuru as Global Chief Data Officer

Global Payments has appointed Sushma Punuru as its new Global Chief Data Officer (CDO). She is a global technology executive with deep technical expertise and a customer-centric approach. Her expertise includes leveraging disruptive digital capabilities, cutting-edge technologies, and data ecosystems to deliver competitive business outcomes. She is a proven change catalyst and trusted business advisor in start-up, turnaround, and growth environments within regulated industries. At Global Payments, Sushma will lead the company’s data strategy and focus on using data to drive growth and improve operations. 

Sushma Punuru’s Experience

Sushma’s background includes leading initiatives in application modernization, digital transformation, and enterprise architecture. Before joining Global Payments, Punuru worked at MetLife for more than 20 years. She held several senior leadership roles, including SVP, Global Head of Enterprise Data Engineering, and SVP, Global Data & Analytics and Chief Data & Analytics Officer for the U.S. business. In her most recent role at MetLife as the Senior Vice President and Global Head of Enterprise Data Engineering, she led efforts to improve data strategy and analytics across the company. 

Prior to this, Sushma also served as Chief Data & Analytics Officer for MetLife US, where she was responsible for data initiatives and transformation projects.

Being a seasoned technology executive with expertise in digital transformation, data-driven innovation, and platform development, Sushma has also contributed to industry and community initiatives through advisory roles at the North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH), Triangle Disability & Autism Services, and T200.

Her Role at Global Payments

As the new CDO at Global Payments, Punuru will manage the company’s global data strategy. Her responsibilities will include overseeing data governance, analytics, AI, and enterprise architecture. She will work to build a data-driven culture at Global Payments, ensuring data is used to create business value and improve customer service.

Punuru will also focus on improving the company’s data systems and ensuring that data governance practices meet industry standards. With data security and privacy being critical, Punuru’s expertise will help Global Payments stay compliant and secure.

Another key part of her role will be leading efforts to use AI and machine learning technologies to improve the company’s operations. She will collaborate with other teams at Global Payments to find new ways to use data and analytics to drive business growth and efficiency.

“I’m deeply grateful for the privilege to grow and lead alongside incredibly talented teams and inspiring leaders. I appreciate the warm welcome from the team. Thrilled for this opportunity to help shape the future of payments technology through leading the global strategy and execution across data, analytics, AI, governance, and enterprise architecture.

What stands out to me about Global Payments is its strong focus on integrity, innovation, and customer experience in transforming commerce. I am looking forward to leading and partnering across the firm to deliver outcomes and build a data-driven culture with real business impact,” Sushma shared in a LinkedIn post.