Suresh Kumar, the Indian-origin Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Walmart, has come under scrutiny following the retail giant’s decision to cut nearly 1,500 tech jobs. The layoffs, impacting employees at Walmart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, and across its global technology team, are part of the company’s strategy to streamline operations and reduce decision-making complexities.
In a memo reviewed by Bloomberg, both Suresh Kumar and Walmart’s U.S. CEO John Furner stated that the restructuring aims to speed up processes and simplify organizational structure. However, the news has sparked criticism on social media, with some users blaming Kumar directly for the job losses.
Who is Suresh Kumar?
Kumar, who currently serves as Walmart’s Executive Vice President, Global CTO, and Chief Development Officer (CDO), boasts a career spanning more than three decades in the tech industry. Before joining Walmart, he held leadership roles at tech giants including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Originally from Basavanagudi in Bengaluru, Suresh Kumar studied at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, where he earned a BTech in Aerospace Engineering. He later completed a PhD in control systems from Princeton University. He now resides in Sunnyvale, California.
A Message to Graduates
Recently, Kumar shared insights from his academic journey on LinkedIn, reflecting on his time at IIT. “Learning never stops,” he wrote, advising young graduates to remain curious, seek mentorship, and take pride in their work. “Curiosity is a career superpower,” he added, encouraging new professionals to explore how their roles contribute to the larger mission.
While the backlash surrounding the layoffs continues, Walmart has yet to issue a detailed comment addressing the criticism directed at its CTO.
