In a significant leadership development at Meta, Sandhya Devanathan, currently the Vice President for Meta India, will now take on additional responsibilities to lead the company’s Southeast Asia operations. This move comes at a time when Meta is undergoing a key transition in its Asia-Pacific leadership team.
The announcement follows the upcoming departure of Dan Neary, Meta’s long-serving Asia-Pacific chief, who is stepping down after an impressive 12-year stint at the company. Neary’s exit marks the end of an era, and he will be succeeded by Benjamin Joe, a seasoned Meta executive.
Sandhya Devanathan shared the news in a LinkedIn post, expressing her excitement about the expanded role.
Read Also :-
WhiteHat Jr Founder Karan Bajaj Raises $16 Million for Cancer Care Startup Complement1
“I am excited also to announce that I will take on additional responsibilities to lead our business in both India and Southeast Asia,” she wrote.
Strengthening Meta’s Regional Strategy
Devanathan’s appointment to head both India and Southeast Asia reflects Meta’s strategic intent to streamline its operations across two of the world’s most dynamic digital markets. Both regions have witnessed rapid user growth, increased digital adoption, and booming creator ecosystems on Meta-owned platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
India, being Meta’s largest market by user base, plays a critical role in the company’s global strategy. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia, with emerging economies such as Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand, continues to be a key growth frontier for digital advertising, e-commerce, and business innovation.
This consolidation of leadership under Devanathan is expected to foster synergies across markets, allowing for better alignment in business operations, regional marketing strategies, and policy outreach.
Who is Sandhya Devanathan?
Sandhya Devanathan has been an integral part of Meta’s leadership in Asia for several years. She took over as Vice President for Meta India in 2022, succeeding Ajit Mohan. Under her leadership, Meta India has focused on monetization, business growth, and strengthening relationships with advertisers and creators.
With a background in technology and finance, and leadership stints across Meta’s gaming, business, and ecommerce verticals, Devanathan brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of emerging markets.
What’s Next for Meta in Asia-Pacific?
With Benjamin Joe set to succeed Dan Neary as the Asia-Pacific head, and Sandhya Devanathan overseeing India and Southeast Asia, Meta is poised for a new chapter in the region. The leadership transition signals Meta’s intent to double down on growth, invest in regional content ecosystems, and further localize its products and services.
These changes come at a time when Meta is expanding its AI initiatives, Reels content ecosystem, and monetization tools across Asia-Pacific — aiming to stay competitive in a fast-evolving tech landscape.
Final Thoughts
Meta’s decision to entrust Sandhya Devanathan with a larger mandate highlights her leadership strengths and the growing significance of Southeast Asia alongside India. As Meta navigates its next phase of growth in the region, all eyes will be on how this new leadership team drives innovation, engagement, and business outcomes.
Leave a comment