In a country where dreams often collide with limitations, Gunjan Soni is rewriting the narrative — from a young engineer at Infosys to becoming the new Managing Director of YouTube India, her story is one of determination, versatility, and trailblazing leadership.
Gunjan Soni’s professional odyssey began in 2000 when she joined Infosys, the brainchild of N. R. Narayana Murthy, as a software engineer. It was a humble start, but one that laid the groundwork for a two-decade-long journey through India’s and Asia’s biggest companies.
An Inspiring Career Built on Reinvention
Soni’s career spans across technology, e-commerce, media, and fashion. After Infosys, she charted a bold course in business consulting by joining McKinsey & Company, where she rose to become a Partner in the Consumer and Marketing practice. Later, at Star India (now part of Disney India), she served as EVP for Strategy — a key role in one of India’s top media conglomerates.
At Myntra, she was more than a CMO — she was also the P&L head for Jabong, overseeing platform marketing and fashion brand strategy at a time when India’s fashion e-commerce scene was booming.
Her global exposure peaked at ZALORA, Southeast Asia’s leading fashion and lifestyle e-commerce platform, where she spent six years as Group CEO. There, she drove multi-market growth and innovation across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and more.
A Big Leap to the World’s Largest Video Platform
Now, as the MD of YouTube India, Soni steps into a role that directly influences India’s booming creator economy. With over 500 million users in India, YouTube is not just a platform—it’s a cultural force. Soni will spearhead YouTube’s growth, strategy, content innovation, and ecosystem partnerships, ensuring India remains one of its most vibrant markets.
In her own words, she shared:
“I am both humbled and thrilled to join this dynamic team and lead a platform that has long supported the powerhouse of talent that is the Indian creator economy.”
Education, Interests, and Beyond
Gunjan Soni is an alumna of XLRI Jamshedpur, where she earned an MBA in Finance. Her undergraduate degree is in Computer Science from Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal. She also serves on the board of CBRE Group, a Fortune 500 real estate services company.
Beyond her corporate achievements, she’s also a sci-fi enthusiast — a big fan of Star Trek, especially the era of Captain Picard.