From a Small Village to an Executive MBA
Ramkumar Bharathan reflects on his journey from humble beginnings in India to innovative leadership through the EMBA Program at Chicago Booth.
- By
- November 27, 2024
- Career Impact
Technology was slow to arrive in Ramkumar Bharathan’s hometown in India. But when his family got access to a TV, he fell in love with the technologies that powered his favorite animated cartoons. Today, Bharathan is leveraging his interest in AI and tech as vice president of internal audit for technology and business operations at a prominent publicly traded bank in the United States—and expanding his knowledge of finance as an Executive MBA student at Chicago Booth.
We spoke with Ram recently about his journey to Booth, his inspirations, and his goals for the future.
Where are you from?
I’m from a very humble background. I grew up in a huge family in a village called Madurai, in India. We waited years to get access to telephone and TV, and when we did it was a big thing. I still remember the excitement of being able to watch cartoons like Richie Rich, Asterix and Obelix, and Tintin. That experience sparked a lifelong fascination with technology for me. Even to listen to our own A.R. Rahman’s music or to watch favorite movies like Home Alone, Jurassic Park, and Lion King, I would wait eagerly—it made each experience feel truly magical.
What brought you to the United States?
After I graduated from college, I got recruited by a Big Four auditing firm with offices around the world. I started out working in the company’s Dubai office, but in 2016, one of my mentors within the company encouraged me to move to Silicon Valley because he knew how much I love technology.
How did you get interested in an MBA?
I have always focused on blending tech innovation and finance in everything I do, and I thought an MBA was the right elevation step for me to get into corporate. Also, there are two leaders that I have always looked up to: Satya Nadella, a Booth alumnus who has transformed Microsoft as CEO, and Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google. Both of them have had very inspiring journeys, and both of them have MBAs. Meeting Sundar Pichai for 15 minutes was life-changing, giving me the confidence to pursue my MBA, while witnessing Satya Nadella’s transformation of Microsoft inspired me to dream bigger in tech and leadership.
What are you doing now?
In August I started a new role as vice president of internal audit for technology and business operations at a prominent publicly traded bank in the US. In this role, I ensure that audit functions have the policies, procedures, and resources to evaluate and enhance governance, risk management, control, and compliance processes, transforming them through innovative practices and a forward-looking approach to risk and compliance.
How is your Chicago Booth experience helping you in your day-to-day work?
Booth has taught me that everything has to be driven by data, so I’ve developed a “data debrief and discuss” mentality. In both my professional and personal life, that mantra informs everything I do.
The experience has also increased my knowledge and improved my communication skills. For example, if I have 30 seconds with my CEO, now I have a better idea of how to speak to him and what his answers mean. It’s helping me navigate my way into leadership.
How has the Booth community supported you in your EMBA journey?
Booth has opened up my network in a very big way. During my job search, I reached out to six or seven Boothies through LinkedIn, and every one of them responded. I was shocked! But it made sense, because one thing I’ve learned here is that the Booth community cares about people and that relationships here are rooted with care.
I’ve also made some very close friends in my cohort. We coach and support each other, and they’re the first people I call if I need anything. They have truly become my brothers and sisters.
Are there any faculty members who stand out as particularly inspiring?
Yes. Before I came to Booth, I had seen Raghuram Rajan only on television. At home, we used to wait hours to watch his speeches. Then at Booth, he called me into his office, and we had a 20-minute chat. It was amazing. I was like, wow, I’m speaking with a leader who set policies for our country. Also, learning from Professors Linda Ginzel, Pradeep Chintagunta, Jean-Pierre Dubé, and Robert Wolcott has been life-changing; these exceptional professors have become mentors, and I eagerly look forward to deepening my knowledge and collaboration with them.
What’s next for you after graduation?
My goal is to grow into a technology and finance leader, either in a Silicon Valley tech company or a prominent financial institution. At the same time, I also have a huge commitment to giving back to the community by supporting NGOs that provide food and education. I look forward to continuing to harness the power of finance, technology, and innovation to uplift communities in India and beyond.