Indian-origin Amazon veteran Anand Varadarajan named new Starbucks CTO

By Admin

22 Dec, 2025

Introduction
Global coffeehouse giant Starbucks has appointed Indian-origin technology leader Anand Varadarajan as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The appointment marks a significant leadership move for Starbucks as it strengthens its digital and technology-driven transformation across global operations.

Anand Varadarajan’s appointment at Starbucks
According to a statement quoted by news agency PTI, Anand Varadarajan will take charge as Starbucks’ new CTO on January 19. He will join the company’s Executive Leadership Team and report directly to Starbucks Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol. Varadarajan replaces Deb Hall Lefevre, who retired in September this year. Following her retirement, Ningyu Chen had been serving as interim CTO while Starbucks searched for a permanent leader.

Role and responsibilities as CTO
As Chief Technology Officer, Varadarajan will oversee Starbucks’ global technology operations. The company highlighted that he brings deep expertise in building secure and reliable systems while scaling technology to support operational excellence. Starbucks also emphasized his customer-centric approach, which aligns with the brand’s focus on enhancing in-store and digital experiences worldwide.

Strengthening Starbucks’ digital ecosystem
With Varadarajan on board, Starbucks is expected to further invest in digital tools and backend systems aimed at streamlining workflows, supporting store staff, and improving customer engagement. His experience in developing large-scale platforms at Amazon is expected to play a key role in strengthening Starbucks’ digital capabilities and operational efficiency across markets.

Who is Anand Varadarajan
Anand Varadarajan is an alumnus of prestigious institutions in India and abroad. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. He later completed a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Washington, reflecting his strong foundation in both engineering and technology.

Career journey and Amazon legacy
Varadarajan spent close to 19 years at Amazon, where he built and scaled large, customer-focused technology platforms. Most recently, he oversaw technology and supply chain operations for Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores business. Before Amazon, he worked as a software engineer at Oracle and with several startups, gaining experience across diverse technology environments.

Looking ahead
Starbucks stated that Varadarajan’s appointment is expected to accelerate its technology initiatives and reinforce its digital-first strategy across global operations. With his extensive background in scaling technology for complex, customer-driven businesses, Anand Varadarajan is poised to play a crucial role in shaping Starbucks’ next phase of digital growth.