Mangesh Garud

CEO

Pune, Maharashtra, India22 yrs 7 mos experience
Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

  • 20+ years of leadership in high-growth startups.
  • Expert in AI-driven finance and governance systems.
  • Successful track record in acquisitions and operational scaling.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Fintech executive with expertise in AI-driven operational frameworks and governance.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Executive LeadershipAi For OperationsFinance OperationsFinancial OperationsProduct OperationsLeadershipCompliance ManagementBusiness AnalysisTeam LeadershipOperations ManagementStrategic Planning

Other Skills

Start-ups ManagementAI for LeadershipComplianceStartupsOnline MarketingCustomer Relationship Management (CRM)Executive Administrative AssistanceRequirements AnalysisPre-salesProduct ManagementAnalyticsDigital/ Social Media MarketingContent Management/ ProgrammingProject ManagementCorporate Finance

About

With over 20 years of leadership experience, I build governance-led, scalable operational systems for high-growth organizations. Across three startups, I have contributed to two successful acquisitions: Dhingana (Rdio) and Mezi (American Express). My work has consistently focused on transforming operational complexity into structured, resilient frameworks across finance, compliance, HR, and cross-functional execution. Currently serving as Managing Director – India and part of the executive leadership team at Zeni, I oversee Finance Operations, HR Operations, Compliance, and strategic expansion. My focus is on integrating AI-driven workflows into finance and governance functions to improve accuracy, visibility, and long-term scalability. Previously, at Mezi (acquired by American Express), I led Emerging Markets Compliance and later transitioned into Product Development at American Express, contributing to AI-powered personalization initiatives. Earlier roles at Dhingana and Rdio India involved leading marketing and operations at scale within high-growth digital environments. My career began at Infosys (US, UK, Hong Kong) and Reliance Communications, where I developed a strong foundation in execution discipline and executive-level operational alignment. I am particularly focused on designing operational frameworks that can scale across geographies while maintaining governance rigor and long-term institutional strength.

Experience

22 yrs 7 mos
Total Experience
3 yrs 2 mos
Average Tenure
5 yrs 11 mos
Current Experience

Zeni

2 roles

Managing Director, India

Promoted

Dec 2025Present · 4 mos

  • As Managing Director – India and a member of the executive leadership team, I lead the strategic and operational direction of our India business, overseeing Finance Operations, HR Operations, Compliance, and organizational scale.
  • My mandate includes building governance-led systems that support rapid growth while maintaining operational discipline and global alignment. I focus on integrating AI-driven finance workflows, automation frameworks, and predictive reporting systems to enhance visibility, improve cost efficiency, and reduce operational risk.
  • Key areas of leadership:
  • End-to-end Finance Operations and compliance governance
  • AI-enabled FinOps and workflow automation
  • Organizational design and leadership development
  • Strategic India expansion and execution oversight
  • Cross-functional alignment with global stakeholders
  • I work closely with executive leadership to ensure that operational infrastructure scales sustainably alongside business growth.
Executive LeadershipStart-ups ManagementAI for LeadershipStrategic PlanningAI for Operations

Vice President Operations

Apr 2020Nov 2025 · 5 yrs 7 mos

  • Get an AI-powered finance team with a real-time dashboard to manage all the finance functions for your business on one platform - bookkeeping, yearly taxes, bill pay & invoicing, financial projects & budgeting, employee reimbursements, and more..
StartupsFinancial OperationsExecutive LeadershipAI for OperationsOperations ManagementStart-ups Management+2

American express

Director Of Product Development

Jan 2018Mar 2020 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Pune, Maharashtra, India

  • American Express Aquired Mezi in January, 2018.
  • Worked as a Director, Product Development at American Express.
Product OperationsLeadershipOperations Management

Mezi.com

Director of Analytics and Compliances

Aug 2015Jan 2018 · 2 yrs 5 mos · Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

  • Worked as a Director of Compliances and Analytics at Mezi (Now American Express).
  • Skift’s Most Interesting Corporate Travel Startup of 2017 - Mezi is an AI-powered travel concierge and booking platform that offers a personal travel assistant to every business traveler. Mezi’s proprietary AI-powered chatbots, offer a human-like personalized experience over messaging, to all business travelers.
StartupsCompliance ManagementLeadershipOperations Management

Rdio

Head - Marketing and Operations, India

Mar 2014Aug 2015 · 1 yr 5 mos · India

  • Heading Marketing and Operations arms of Rdio India.
StartupsProduct OperationsLeadershipOperations Management

Dhingana

Head of Marketing and Operations

Jan 2012Mar 2014 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Pune/Pimpri-Chinchwad Area

  • Mangesh is heading entire Marketing and Operations arm of Dhingana Inc., worlds #1 Indian music streaming service.
  • He is leading the Digital Marketing as a part of Product Management team of Dhingana, across all mobile platforms. He is leading entire Content programming arm of Dhingana, Inc.
  • He is heading Operations of complete Dhingana, India team taking care of entire Finance & Human Resource Management
StartupsProduct OperationsOnline MarketingLeadershipOperations Management

Infosys

Senior Consultant

Jan 2006Jan 2012 · 6 yrs · Pune/Pimpri-Chinchwad Area

  • At Infosys, he was working as a Senior Consultant mostly at client sites at USA, UK, HongKong as a Functional point of contact to all clients. He has worked as project manager, leading the team for key clients.
Business AnalysisTeam LeadershipCustomer Relationship Management (CRM)

Reliance communications

Executive Assistant to C.T.O.

Jul 2003Jan 2006 · 2 yrs 6 mos · Mumbai Metropolitan Region

  • At Reliance Communications, he was part of Mumbai Circle Operations Execution Team directly working with CEO and CTO of Mumbai Circle.
  • He has been part of Reliance Mobile Sales team before joing the Operations team.
Operations ManagementStrategic PlanningExecutive Administrative Assistance

Education

SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)

Masters in Management Studies — Marketing

Jan 2001Jan 2003

COEP - Govt College Of Engineering, Pune

Bachelor of Engineering (BE) — Mechanical Engineering

Jan 1996Jan 2000

COEP Technological University

B.E. — Mechanical

Jan 1996Jan 2000

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