Ravi Raghava, chief technology officer of the civilian business group at SAIC, has been appointed chair of WashingtonExec’s Cloud Council for 2024-2025.
Raghava is experienced in digital transformation. He has led double-digit business growth and delivered large-scale cloud transformation, cyber and DevOps programs.
As chair of the council, he will lead conversations on cloud security, data analytics, multi-cloud management, artificial intelligence and more. Below, he also shares a bit about his professional experience in the cloud field, what it means to be council chair and the value of connecting industry executives with government officials.
Based on your extensive experience, what are some of the focus areas/hot topics you want to discuss with the council this year?
We have been discussing cloud security and compliance extensively recently and we will continue to prioritize these topics. I would also like to draw the council’s attention to data analytics, multi-cloud management, cost management and financial optimization. There has also been a significant increase in AI, particularly GenAI-driven capabilities, and I plan to discuss this topic in detail.
How will your personal and career experience and expertise within the cloud community help lead the council in discussions on trending cloud-related topics?
I plan to leverage my 15 years of cloud experience and deep understanding of cloud technologies, architectures and services to provide detailed insights and technical guidance on complex topics.
What does it mean for you to be chairperson of this council?
It is an honor to lead the council and steer its direction, ensuring that we address the most pressing and relevant cloud-related topics. Fostering collaboration, driving innovation and committing to excellence are core to the cloud council. I plan to be a strong advocate for the cloud council’s initiatives and ensure that the council’s contributions are recognized and valued by all members and speakers.
Do you feel there is great value in connecting industry executives with government officials to discuss topics facing the cloud community? If so, why?
Absolutely, there is great value in connecting industry executives with government officials to discuss topics facing the cloud community. This is important for public sector–industry partnerships, security and compliance concerns, support for policy alignment, knowledge sharing and education.
Do you have any unique plans yet for the council?
My goal is to encourage collaboration, drive innovation and establish best practices within the cloud community, ensuring the cloud council remains at the forefront of industry developments and contributes to the advancement of cloud technology. In addition, I plan to engage with policymakers, contribute to public consultations and publish thought leadership articles and white papers on key issues.
What do you hope to accomplish as chair of this council, and what do you hope council members get out of your leadership?
Key things I plan to accomplish are:
- Foster collaboration among community members;
- Promote knowledge sharing and discussion around strategic topics of importance such as hybrid multi-cloud and cost optimization;
- Contribute to the development of industry standards, frameworks and guidelines;
- And provide strong, visionary leadership that inspires and motivates council members.