Devendra Rao

About Devendra Rao

Senior technology executive with 25+ years of experience leading enterprise IT strategy, digital transformation, operations, and large-scale delivery across healthcare, payer, product, and enterprise technology environments. I lead organizations that stabilize operations, strengthen governance, modernize platforms, and deliver measurable business outcomes at scale.I currently serve as Senior Client Partner at UST supporting AmeriBen / Elevance Health, where I am responsible for transforming IT delivery and operations across application development, production support, data center, and run operations in a complex healthcare payer environment. My focus includes governance, service performance, leadership accountability, and modernization. I have implemented an ITSM / ITIL-aligned operating model, improved SLA and KPI performance, strengthened executive reporting, and reorganized teams to improve accountability and execution.I also launched modernization strategy to replace a legacy HP-BASIC core platform and developed a multi-wave migration strategy for 220+ clients with a zero-client-impact objective, including cutover governance, parallel-run planning, and hyper-care readiness.Previously, I spent 17 years at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association in senior IT leadership roles, including Executive Director and Managing Director, leading multi-million-dollar portfolios across digital platforms, API and cloud modernization, enterprise applications, analytics, ITSM, and collaboration technologies. Key accomplishments included Generative AI enablement, Salesforce transformation, ServiceNow-based ITSM modernization, consolidation of five national websites into one digital platform, API modernization supporting 125M+ annual calls, and enterprise data and collaboration platforms serving users.Earlier in my career, I led software and product development organizations at Intuit and UPMC / Askesis, managing large engineering teams, global delivery, modernization initiatives, SDLC transformation, healthcare software delivery, HIPAA transaction solutions, and customer-facing platforms.I am best suited for VP, CIO, SVP, and enterprise technology leadership roles that require business partnership, operational rigor, modernization leadership, executive communication, and end-to-end accountability across both run and change. My leadership style is grounded in clarity, trust, disciplined execution, talent development, and measurable outcomes.

Experience

1. Senior Client Partner (Client Ameriben Elevance Health)

   UST

   Jan 2025 — Present · US

   Senior client partner accountable for stabilizing and transforming IT delivery and operations in a complex healthcare payer environment. Lead end-to-end outcomes across application development, production support, data center and IT operations by strengthening governance, standardizing ITSM processes, improving leadership accountability, and driving sustained SLA / KPI performance improvement.Selected accomplishments• Implemented an ITSM/ITIL-aligned operating model• Standardized intake, triage, prioritization, escalation, and communications• Drove greater execution consistency and delivery predictability• Improved SLA performance through KPI and scorecard governance• Enforced backlog discipline, severity management, and review cadences• Separated lights-on support from enhancement delivery• Clarified ownership, accountability, coverage expectations, and handoffs• Institutionalized executive governance across risks, dependencies, and decisions• Strengthened team performance through coaching and accountability management• Built stakeholder trust through transparent communication and escalation discipline• Introduced BPaaS strategy to replace legacy core platforms• Built a 220+ client migration strategy with zero-impact goals

Education

• Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

  B.S., Mechanical Engineering

  1988 — 1992

• University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business

  Executive MBA

  2007 — 2007

• University of Florida

  MS, Mechanical Engineering

  1992 — 1995

Skills

• Agile Methodologies
• Team Leadership
• Databases
• Data Warehousing
• Web Development
• Software Development Life Cycle (Sdlc)
• Requirements Analysis
• Software Project Management
• Web Services
• Product Development
• Leadership
• Change Management
• IT Strategy
• Agile
• Business Intelligence
• Program Management
• Integration
• Software Development
• Healthcare
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Sdlc