Venue: The Westin Southfield Detroit

An Exclusive Executive Roundtable by Tech Mahindra in collaboration with Google Cloud

Overview:

The manufacturing industry is entering a new frontier — Adaptive and Autonomous Manufacturing.

With Industry 4.0 accelerating the adoption of automation, AI, digital twins, and connected systems, enterprises are moving beyond efficiency to embrace intelligent ecosystems that can sense, decide, and act autonomously. This evolution promises self-optimizing factories, zero-defect production, resilient supply chains and green revolutions.

To explore this transformation, Tech Mahindra and Google Cloud invite you to an exclusive leadership roundtable. This curated experience brings together senior decision-makers from the automotive manufacturing sector to discuss how AI, Cloud, and Generative Technologies are powering the next wave of innovation.

Expect strategic insights, live technology demonstrations, and peer-to-peer conversations that spark collaboration and unlock enterprise impact.

Key Highlights

Join industry leaders to explore:

• Agentic AI in Action: How autonomous, intelligent systems are reshaping automotive plants for agility and resilience.
• Industry 4.0 Strategies & Investments: Understanding where enterprises are spending and how to maximize ROI in a market projected to hit $400B by 2030.
• Real-World Success Stories: Use cases showcasing predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and enhanced workplace safety.
• Building the Business Case: Practical frameworks for AI adoption, with global AI manufacturing spend expected to grow 40% annually.
• Future Factory Experience: Immerse yourself in demos of digital twins, connected ecosystems, and adaptive manufacturing workflows.
• Sustainability Through Digital: How smart technologies are driving up to 30% carbon footprint reduction and enabling green manufacturing.
• Networking Over a Curated Gourmet Dinner: Engage with peers and experts in an environment designed to reflect the precision and innovation of modern manufacturing.

Agenda:

Speakers:

Dharm Sadasivan

Vice President – Manufacturing, Tech Mahindra

Richard S

Sr. Vice President  - Manufacturing Americas, Tech Mahindra

Praveen Rao

Industry Head, Manufacturing, Google

Brandon Toy

Platform Lifecycle Management & Tech Renewal Manager, Ford

Mike Minelli

President & CEO, BEET

Dr. Sumit Kumar

SVP & Global Business Head , Google Cloud , Tech Mahindra

Shiva Karra

Google Business Unit Head – North America, Tech Mahindra

Krishna Bala

SVP & Head – Americas Manufacturing Business Group, Tech Mahindra

Dharm Sadasivan
Vice President – Manufacturing, Tech Mahindra

Dharm brings 30+ years of leadership in IT and ERP, backed by an MBA from the University of Michigan. He has driven large-scale ERP implementations, global outsourcing strategies, and complex IT programs across automotive, consumer goods, and pharma. Known for strategic negotiations and C-level engagement, Dharm blends technical insight with business acumen to deliver measurable ROI and transformation.

Richard S
Sr. Vice President  – Manufacturing Americas, Tech Mahindra

Richard leads Tech Mahindra’s Smart Factory Practice in North America, focusing on transforming plants through Industry 4.0, connected machines, advanced analytics, and scalable digital operations. He helps manufacturers modernize production by integrating real-time data, intelligent automation, and AI-driven decision systems that improve OEE, quality, throughput, and workforce productivity.

With a background in industry and consulting, supporting and working for global manufacturers, Richard has a strong track record of elevating factory performance through digital transformation—spanning operations, production systems, and shop-floor connectivity. His experience across MES, scheduling & optimization, machine data platforms, and digital twins enables clients to move from traditional operations to predictive, insight-driven, and highly efficient smart factories.

Praveen Rao
Global Head – Manufacturing, Google Cloud

Praveen is a technology executive and thought leader with over 2 decades of experience driving digital transformation in manufacturing. His expertise spans GTM strategy, partner ecosystems, cloud product strategy, Industry 4.0, sustainability, and industrial data modernization. He helps manufacturers harness Cloud, AI/Analytics, and advanced technologies to optimize operations, enhance customer experience, and achieve sustainability goals. Praveen has collaborated with 20+ Fortune 100 companies, authored publications on IoT, Analytics, and Blockchain, and spoken at global industry forums. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Technological University, and a BS from Bangalore University.

Brandon Toy
Platform Lifecycle Management & Tech Renewal Manager, Ford

Brandon leads software technology renewal and app modernization at Ford, including major data center migrations, cloud adoption (GCP), and modernization of 3,000+ applications using Generative AI. His decade-long tenure reflects a strong track record in driving Ford’s digital transformation.

Mike Minelli
President & CEO, BEET

Mike is a visionary leader with 30+ years of experience, having driven startups acquired by HP, Oracle, Infor, and Dell. As CEO of BEET, he empowers manufacturers with cutting-edge technologies for efficiency and innovation. He holds a BS in Manufacturing Engineering from Miami University.

Dr Sumit Kumar
SVP & Global Business Head – Google Cloud

With over two decades of leadership in cloud, data, and AI, driving transformative growth through digital technologies and responsible innovation. He has delivered high-impact solutions for Fortune 500 clients, defined global go-to-market strategies, and accelerated enterprise modernization with hyperscaler partnerships. Known for shaping agile, future-ready organizations, Sumit also champions Responsible AI, embedding fairness, transparency, and governance into intelligent systems. His career excellence spans strategy, sales, and execution, making him a trusted leader at the intersection of business, technology, and accountability.

Shiva Karra
Google Business Unit Head – North America, Tech Mahindra

Shiva leverages 25+ years in cloud, data, and engineering to drive large-scale transformation. He partners with Fortune 500 firms to accelerate AI and cloud adoption through hyperscaler collaboration and advanced enterprise architecture, enabling intelligent, future-ready enterprises.

Krishna Bala
SVP & Head – Americas Manufacturing, Tech Mahindra

With over two decades of leadership in manufacturing, driving transformative growth through digital technologies, AI/ML, GenAI, cloud, and sustainability initiatives. He has delivered high-impact solutions for Fortune 500 clients, pioneered sector-specific strategies in automotive and aerospace, and built resilient global teams. Known for forging strategic partnerships with industry CXOs, Krishna also champions green innovations and emerging tech adoption. His career excellence spans sales, marketing, product development, and manufacturing processes, making him a trusted leader in shaping future-ready enterprises.