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Kumar R. Parakala: Kumar R. Parakala, Invitations by President Clinton, Jet Li Foundation; KPMG Head of IT Advisory EMA & India and COO Advisory India: Insights from Internationally Renowned Innovator, Senior Executive
Mr. Kumar Parakala is currently the Head of IT Advisory for KPMG in Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMA) and India. Apart from leading the IT Advisory business into the next growth phase, he has also been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer of KPMG Advisory business in India. The Advisory practice of KPMG India consists of 2500 people and the EMA IT Advisory practice has close to 3500 people.

Prior to his current role, Mr Parakala was the Global Chief Operating Officer for the Global IT Advisory practice for four years at KPMG. During his career in Australia for over 20 years, Mr. Parakala has worked in senior management roles within healthcare, professional services, manufacturing and the public sector. Boards and CEOs consult with him on various matters relating to management of complex projects, outsourcing, business strategy and IT, performance of IT function and corporate governance. He joined KPMG in Year 2000 and prior to that spent five years in the Queensland healthcare sector in senior executive roles both in private and public sector.

He held several public positions including the National Chairman of the Australian Computer Society and was the IT industry spokesperson for several years in Australia. Mr. Parakala has been a regular columnist for the “The Australian” and his views have been extensively covered across media in India, Australia and overseas.

Mr. Parakala was bestowed with the ACS Honorary Life Membership Award recently; he became the 45th recipient of this award since the formation of the Society in 1966. He also received the Leadership Excellence Award from the Queensland Government and the SEARCC Outstanding Contribution Award.

He has Masters Degrees in Science, Information Systems and Business Administration and is an Adjunct Professor at Central Queensland University, Australia. Mr. Parakala supports major global philanthropic initiatives such as Clinton Global Initiative (by President Bill Clinton) and Jet Li Foundation.

Outside of his professional commitments, Mr. Parakala is an avid golfer, skiing enthusiast, wine connoisseur and restaurant critic.