Kyndryl’s newly appointed Distinguished Engineer believes leading with empathy is key to IT innovation
Suraj Subramanian will never forget the first time he saw a computer.
“I was so excited by this clunky machine that I even worked at a computer institute for free,” he said of that first encounter decades ago in India. “Little did I know, it was just the beginning.”
That moment — unremarkable to anyone else — set a young Subramanian on a career path filled with purpose, curiosity and a relentless pursuit of innovation. Today, he holds the title of Distinguished Engineer at Kyndryl, one of the most prestigious honors a technologist can receive within Kyndryl and across the broader tech industry.
From left: Kyndryl's 2025 Class of Distinguished Engineers, Suraj Subramanian and Dr. Gongyi Liu.
As a newly named Distinguished Engineer, Subramanian joins an extraordinary group of honorees from prior years.
Now residing in the U.S. and leading the company’s Provisioning, Automation and Orchestration (PAO) strategy on Kyndryl Bridge, Subramanian is helping shape the future of digital transformation. His work — integrating open-source tools, advancing AI and data capabilities, and supporting complex customer solutions — is driving real impact.
“Being approachable and connecting with the people behind the numbers and job titles allows us to deeply understand their joys, triumphs and even their fears.”
But for all the technical complexity, Subramanian’s focus remains human. He is building a culture of innovation rooted in collaboration and mentorship, where ideas are shared freely and every voice matters. In fact, ask him what he’s most proud of, and he won’t talk about code. He’ll talk about people.
“I believe that culture eats strategy for breakfast,” said Subramanian. “When I think of innovation, I always ask myself how it can transform business culture and employee experience. I believe technological innovation has the potential to include and empower our people more than ever before.”
More than a job: The people behind the innovation
Subramanian doesn’t just see his colleagues as coworkers. To him, they’re family.
“We interact with our colleagues for most of our days,” said Subramanian.
It’s this deeply human perspective that shapes how he leads. Subramanian believes that people are not just “resources” to be managed — they are catalysts for transformation when they feel seen, heard and valued.
“Being approachable and connecting with the people behind the numbers and job titles allows us to deeply understand their joys, triumphs and even their fears,” he said. “Ultimately, they are at the heart of everything we do at Kyndryl and their experience matters.”
For Subramanian, building a culture of empathy isn’t just good leadership — it’s the foundation of everything Kyndryl stands for.
A culture of focus and purpose
If you ask Subramanian what drives him, he won’t discuss accolades or titles. He’ll talk about focus. About purpose. About showing up every day with clarity and conviction — Subramanian believes accountability is essential for professional success.
“Think about it like noise-canceling headphones,” Subramanian explained. “You have to tune out external distractions, focus only on the goal and don’t stop until you reach it.”
But focus, he insists, doesn’t mean isolation. “It’s not about working in silos. It’s about creating space for collaboration and diverse points of view as well.”
After 25 years in the industry, Subramanian’s journey is marked by more than technical milestones — it’s shaped by the people who believed in him: his elder brother, Suresh Subramanian, and his Kyndryl mentor, Arvind Shetty. While both are no longer alive, their influence lives on in every bold decision he makes.
“They inspired me to make bold moves, take risks and be kind every step of the way,” he said. “I carry their legacy with me and through my work every single day.”
