Rhonda Vetere is a seasoned C-Suite executive and passionate global leader in technology

Recognized as one of Most Powerful Women in Technology and a two-time author, Rhonda continues to be on a mission to empower & inspire others through sport and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math/medical).

A Global C Suite Executive and athlete herself, she applies this mental model in & out of the office, guiding how she leads her life with others around her. Rhonda is an active leader — whether she’s spearheading corporate initiatives around the world, competing in another IRONMAN 70.3 mile triathlon, or mentoring students & athletes globally.

Rhonda has worked across industries as a CIO, CTO, global executive, and digital transformation change agent at Herbalife Nutrition, Santander Bank, nThrive / Pamplona Capital Management, Estée Lauder Companies, AIG, HP Enterprise Services, Barclays / Lehman, Bank One / JPMorgan Chase, CompuServe, UUNET, MCI, and Worldcom.

She has lived and worked internationally – in New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, London, Mumbai, and across India – and has managed teams of up to 20,000 people. In October 2022, she was inducted in India as the Global STEM Ambassador by Meghalaya Chief Minister along with other dignitaries and the Chancellor of the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM). In addition, USTM named a new Rhonda Vetere Biodiversity Park for her sustainability work around the globe, and she commissioned the ground breaking ceremony for the USTM I Can I Will Academy in Meghalaya, India.

Vetere is the author of Grit & Grind and co-author of an HP special edition book, Enterprise Service Management for Dummies.

With an ability to support mergers, create synergies across lines of business, and leverage her onshore/offshore experience, Rhonda is a results-oriented, client-focused executive and delivers value by driving technology improvements for cost and performance to drive the right business outcomes.

From her experience as Chief Technology Officer at Estée Lauder Companies, Rhonda has deep domain expertise in technology and data. Her role included global leadership across 162 countries and running the technology & operations team. She spearheaded the transformation of the IT capabilities foundation into a digital environment at record industry pace, without business disruption, around the world – while saving $28 million a year.

Recognition & Involvement

Rhonda has been recognized with for her leadership and influence, notably as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology by the National Diversity Council in 2019 and 2020, and Stevie Award for Excellence in Transforming Business (competing with over 1500 CIOs and CTOs) in 2017. In 2021, she was one of The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, Top 20 Businesswomen Leading the Charge, 2021 Most Influential Businesswoman in Technology by Corporate Vision Magazine, 2021 Top CIO/CTO by the Tech Inclusion Conference, Top 100 DEI Leaders in 2021by Mogul, and The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business by CIO Views. In 2022, CIO Today named her one of The Luminaries: Most Admirable Leaders Revamping The Future.

For 2024, Rhonda is the Chairperson for Information Technology Awards Judging Committee Chair for the 20th Annual American Business Awards® (the Stevies). On being invited to Chair this committee she said: “As a previous winner of a Stevie Award, I came to realize the importance of industry recognition. I have received several industry awards throughout my career. However, the Stevie Award was the biggest!”

She has been featured in renowned publications, including Forbes, Huffington Post, Thrive, Moneyish, CNBC, Women of Influence, Financial Post, Triathlete Magazine, , CEO World, and more. She contributes her perspective and knowledge through serving on boards for professional, educational, and athletic institutions, African Community & Conservation Foundation (ACCF) Ambassador, Longwood University, George Mason University School of Business and Virginia Tech.

Athletics & Mentorship

A dynamic leader both at work and play, Vetere is constantly training for and competing in events – over 92 so far, including triathlons, half-marathons, marathons, and IRONMAN 70.3 mile triathlons (single-day races that consist of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bicycle ride, and a marathon 13.1-mile run). In 2022, she organized & rode in Race Across America (RAAM), a 3070 mile bike race across the country.

Rhonda is a member of New York Road Runners (NYRR) and encourages her friends and associates to pursue active, healthy lifestyles as an integral part of career success and improving performance. Married to a fellow sports fanatic, her husband has worked for Titleist for over 25 years. They’re both members at Winged Foot Golf Club and enjoy playing golf together.

Rhonda (still!) enjoys traveling for work and fun, and mentoring professionals, athletes, and students. She appreciates the opportunity to engage with others, empowering others to seize their moments and share their passions with the world. 

Navy SEAL Swim

Rhonda participated in the 2021 and 2022 Navy SEAL Swim in the Hudson River with the GI Go Fund — alongside 150 active & veteran Navy SEALs. Rhonda was the second female to complete the full swim, and she was one of the first in the water in 2021.

The event honors “our military veterans, their families, and all of those who died during 9/11 and the wars that followed that fateful day. Along the route, the SEALs stop at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to perform 100 push ups in honor of America's liberties, and 22 pull ups in recognition of 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. The event concludes in lower Manhattan to honor the victims of 9/11 and all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the wars that followed.” Photos courtesy of the GI Go Fund.

Rhonda takes opportunities to visit and engage with local communities and young people around the world — in Africa, India, and the USA.

Learn more about Rhonda's experience and accomplishments — click an image for more information: