Francisco D’Souza
Francisco D’Souza is a well-known name in the technology industry. He is a successful entrepreneur and business executive who has made significant contributions to the industry over the course of his career. In this article, we will take a closer look at his early life, education, professional life, personal life, and achievements.
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Early Life of Francisco D’Souza
Francisco D’Souza was born on the 23rd of August, 1968, under the sunny skies of Nairobi, Kenya. His father, Placido D’Souza, was a revered Indian Foreign Services officer and diplomat, and his mother was the beloved Sushila. While his family roots can be traced back to Anjuna, Goa, Francisco spent his childhood in a whirlwind of experiences across 11 different countries. This global exposure played a crucial role in shaping his entrepreneurial spirit and visionary leadership style.
Personal Life
Francisco is blessed with three wonderful sisters, Jacinta, Lucia, and Maria. With a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of East Asia Macau and a Master of Business Administration from the esteemed Carnegie Mellon University, Francisco’s academic journey reflects his commitment to learning and self-improvement. His international upbringing and robust academic background have undoubtedly shaped his diverse perspectives and innovative approaches to business.
Professional Life of Francisco D’Souza
Francisco D’Souza’s career took flight when he joined Dun & Bradstreet as a management associate in 1992. His journey with Cognizant started in 1994, when it was still an in-house project of Dun & Bradstreet. As an integral part of the team, Francisco held various leadership roles at Cognizant before ascending to the CEO’s position in 2007. His visionary leadership led to his appointment as Vice Chairman in 2018, a position he held until his resignation as CEO in 2019.
Francisco’s influence extends beyond Cognizant. He joined the board of General Electric in 2013, becoming its youngest director. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of Carnegie Mellon University and the New York Hall of Science. His leadership extends to the global stage, as a member of the World Economic Forum and the Chairman of its IT Governors Steering Committee in 2019.
Francisco further expanded his reach in the business world by joining the board of directors of MongoDB in November 2019, and then stepping into a top executive position at Banco Santander in July 2020 to support its digital transformation strategy.
Awards and Recognitions
Francisco D’Souza has been lauded with multiple awards and recognitions. In 2005, he received The Economic Times Entrepreneur Award. Subsequently, he was named among “America’s Best CEOs” by Institutional Investor magazine in 2009, and among “100 CEO Leaders in STEM” by STEMconnector in 2013. The same year, Forbes India recognized him as the Best CEO. He was honored as “Newsmaker of the Year” by The Financial Express in 2014 and landed the #10 spot on Fortune Businessperson of the Year in 2017.
Age
As of now, Francisco D’Souza is 54 years old, a seasoned leader with a wealth of experience across various industries.
Parents’ Name and Family
Francisco is the son of Placido D’Souza, an Indian Foreign Services officer and diplomat, and Sushila. His family, which includes three sisters, Jacinta, Lucia, and Maria, has roots in Anjuna, Goa.
