OpenAI has announced the elevation of Pragya Misra to Head of Strategy & Global Affairs, India, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion and long-term commitment to one of its fastest-growing markets. In this expanded leadership role, Pragya will steer OpenAI’s strategic direction in India, overseeing key initiatives that integrate product, policy, partnerships, and go-to-market efforts. Her leadership will further strengthen the company’s mission of fostering responsible and human-centric AI innovation in the region.
According to the company, Pragya will lead OpenAI’s unified India strategy, ensuring cohesive alignment across all verticals to deepen engagement with government, industry, and research ecosystems. Her appointment reflects OpenAI’s growing focus on ethical AI adoption, transparency, and building frameworks that ensure technology serves humanity’s best interests.
In her new role, Pragya is expected to drive conversations that shape India’s evolving AI landscape — particularly around policy frameworks, innovation ecosystems, and responsible deployment of AI technologies. Her work continues to emphasize OpenAI’s vision of balancing rapid technological advancement with strong ethical governance.
Pragya brings with her a rich professional background that bridges the worlds of technology, policy, and public affairs. Before this elevation, she led Public Policy & Partnerships for OpenAI India, playing a key role in developing the organization’s local footprint and collaborations. Previously, she served as Director of Public Affairs at Truecaller, where she guided the company’s communications and public policy strategies in India.
She also made her mark at WhatsApp, where she was the platform’s first communications hire in India, contributing to the shaping of its brand and policy narrative during a crucial phase of its growth. Her earlier career includes leadership roles at the Royal Danish Embassy, EY, and as Co-founder & CEO of MBA-Infosoft Pvt Ltd.
Pragya’s professional journey underscores a consistent mission — bridging innovation with impact. Through her work, she has championed technology as a tool for empowerment and inclusion, driving India’s digital progress while advocating for safety, transparency, and trust in the age of artificial intelligence.
Her new mandate at OpenAI reinforces the organization’s commitment to responsible innovation and India’s growing influence in the global AI ecosystem.
