Bhavik Rao on Content Writing & Strategy | Vertiv Insights
In this Vertiv Insights exclusive, Bhavik Rao, CIO for the Americas at vertiv, unveils the paramount importance of adaptability in navigating the evolving role of the CIO. rao, a seasoned professional, demonstrates how diverse experiences fuel this crucial skill, advising learning from both triumphs and setbacks. he champions embracing challenges and stepping outside of boundaries to cultivate leadership. Rao breaks down sovereign AI, emphasizing its role in a competitive landscape. this article,available on News Directory 3,explores Rao’s career trajectory and how he turned setbacks into moments of resilience and innovation,including leading the launch of Vertiv’s GenAI platform,VeGA. Further, Rao provides compelling advice for those seeking leadership paths in IT. discover what’s next in IT leadership.
Vertiv CIO on Adaptability, Sovereign AI, and IT Leadership
Updated June 06, 2025
The role of the CIO is rapidly evolving, and adaptability is key to navigating this change, according to Bhavik Rao, CIO for the Americas at Vertiv. Rao emphasizes the value of diverse work experiences in developing this crucial skill. He advises learning from both successes and failures, urging professionals to embrace challenges and step outside their comfort zones to foster leadership skills.
Rao’s career began as a techno-functional consultant in the public sector, providing a foundation in enterprise systems’ technical and process aspects. His move into consulting exposed him to various industries, where he led mobile app growth, e-commerce deployments, data platforms, and large-scale digital conversion programs. This diverse background shaped his ability to adapt quickly and connect different domains.
At Vertiv, Rao leads initiatives that drive operational efficiency and scale GenAI adoption. He stresses the importance of turning technology into a buisness enabler. He recalls joining Vertiv when it was under private equity and navigating the challenges of going public in 2020 amidst COVID-related supply chain disruptions. He successfully restructured and relaunched a struggling transformation program during this period.
Leaders are born of challenges and not from comfort.
Rao also shared a past setback: losing a major national account after seven years. This experience taught him resilience and the importance of not tying one’s identity to a single outcome. He also highlighted the launch of VeGA, Vertiv’s internal GenAI platform, as a moment of creation and impact.
Regarding sovereign AI, Rao defines it as the ability to control how, where, and why AI is built and deployed, aligning with business needs and data boundaries. He believes AI becomes a competitive advantage when governance, infrastructure adaptability, and contextual intelligence are integrated.
What’s next
Looking ahead, Rao advises young people considering a leadership path in IT to remain curious, stay hands-on, and focus on making an impact. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the business and embracing complex problems to cultivate leadership skills. He also suggests building teams that challenge you to foster growth.