Dr. Saji Purathepparambil Kunjappan: Building the Digital Foundations of a Connected World
In an age where technology quietly powers nearly every aspect of our lives, Dr. Saji Purathepparambil Kunjappan has spent more than three decades at the center of it all, designing, operating, and scaling the digital infrastructure that underpins our global economy. From his early days as a programmer in India to his current role as Director at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he oversees operations across various countries in Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Saji’s story is one of resilience, foresight, and a relentless drive to build for the future.
Saji’s professional path began at ER&DC as a computer programmer, but it quickly evolved into leadership roles across some of the most influential technology companies in India. At Sify Technologies, Airtel, and Tata Communications, he led initiatives that transformed the way enterprises engaged with data and cloud services. At Tata, he was entrusted with the global portfolio of cloud and data center services spanning over 40 facilities worldwide, an achievement that placed him firmly at the forefront of India’s digital transformation.
Today, at AWS, Saji directs the infrastructure operations of 100s of data centers across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa and all the edge/transit sites across the globe. His mandate is vast: ensuring seamless field operations, optimizing installation processes, and leading large-scale learning programs for thousands of employees. It is work that requires not only technical mastery but also the ability to align global teams around a common vision of excellence.
What ties each phase of his journey together is a consistent belief in purposeful innovation. Whether managing data centers across continents or supporting national events in India, Saji has always looked beyond the immediate task to the larger question: How does this improve lives, bridge divides, and build resilience for the future?
Saji’s leadership is anchored in strategic vision and execution excellence. He has a reputation for nurturing high-performance teams across geographies, encouraging ownership, and creating cultures of trust. At the same time, he is candid about his own evolution as a leader.
“I set very high standards, which at times led to perfectionism, especially in mission-critical projects,” he reflects. “But over time, I’ve learned the importance of delegation and trusting the agility of my teams.” This balance between rigor and empowerment has allowed him to scale his leadership without losing touch with the human element.
Colleagues describe him as calm under pressure, someone who brings clarity in complex environments. His leadership philosophy combines data-driven decisions with emotional intelligence, ensuring that innovation and inclusion are always part of the process.
For Saji, the inspiration has always been clear: the transformative power of technology to connect communities and create opportunity. “I’ve always been driven by the chance to bridge digital divides,” he says. “My goal is to shape sustainable, secure, and scalable tech ecosystems while mentoring future leaders.”
That dual focus, on systems and on people, defines his career. Alongside his work at AWS, Saji contributes actively to global industry forums and his views are reported by various tech journals. He is also a certified corporate director and an ITIL practitioner, underscoring his commitment to both governance and innovation.
Despite the scale of his responsibilities, Saji is intentional about maintaining balance in his life. For him, balance doesn’t mean a perfect division between professional and personal, it means being fully present in both spheres. He sets clear boundaries, prioritizes time with family, and finds joy in small, grounding routines.
“Trekking and nature walks are my soul therapy,” he shares. “Mountains make you humble.” Photography, classical flute, and writing also form part of his personal pursuits, each offering reflection and renewal. He is equally passionate about mentoring young professionals, finding fulfilment in passing on lessons and encouraging others to carve their own paths.
Living across India and Singapore, Saji embraces a global lifestyle but keeps rooted in simple joys, whether that’s reading about history and emerging technologies, or sharing a home-cooked meal with loved ones.
Over the years, Saji’s contributions have been recognized by industry peers and institutions alike. He has been conferred with the International Achievers Award by the Indian Achievers’ Forum for his role in strengthening India’s digital infrastructure, and honored at the Global Excellence Summit 2025 for his achievements in the cloud & data center industry and recently awarded the prestigious Asia Excellence award for contribution to cloud industry.
Asked what advice he would share with emerging leaders, Saji is thoughtful: “Success is not just about milestones, it’s about mindset. The world needs leaders who build not only systems but people. Embrace learning, stay grounded in values, and don’t fear failure, it often teaches us more than success ever could.”
For him, heritage is as important as innovation. “As Indians, we carry a rich legacy of intellect and resilience. Let’s bring that spirit to global stages with humility and excellence. Dream big, act boldly, and lift others as you rise.”
Dr. Saji Purathepparambil Kunjappan’s life and work embody the essence of a Most Admired Global Indian: someone who not only builds infrastructure at scale but also invests in people, culture, and purpose. His influence is seen in the quiet efficiency of data centers that keep our world connected, and in the confidence of young leaders he mentors for the future.
In a field where progress often happens out of sight, his enduring contribution is clear: building digital foundations strong enough to support the generations to come.
