Future-ready isn't a buzzword—it's a blueprint

A bold rethink of digital transformation, where India's talent meets global muscle, AI backs human grit, and recovery matters as much as readiness. This isn't about doing digital faster. It's about building it smarter, deeper, and stronger

- BHARTI TREHAN

Digital transformation isn’t just about migrating to the cloud or adopting AI; it’s about evolving how and where work gets done. At AHEAD, this evolution starts with a clear-eyed strategy and a deliberate shift in operating models. Anchored in India’s rich tech talent ecosystem and guided by a culture of outcome-based delivery, AHEAD is rewriting the playbook for enterprise IT services. In conversations with Keith Odom, Hysam Galal, and Erik Stewart, a compelling picture emerges: of a company that’s not just navigating change, but engineering it from the ground up.

At the centre of that transformation? India

AHEAD’s “India-first” mindset isn’t merely a cost play. “The quality of talent here is exceptional,” says Odom. It’s not lip service. With over half of their 500+ managed services team based in India, the numbers back the intent. This strategy allows AHEAD to deliver large-scale digital engagements with a blend of U.S. and Indian teamsunified, not segmented. “We prioritise local execution unless physical presence is required,” he adds.

From strategy to execution: a full-stack services approach

Unlike niche players that offer slivers of the transformation journey, AHEAD plays across the entire lifecyclefrom strategy to design, execution, and long-term support. This gives clients the flexibility to jump in at any stage or pursue end-to-end outcomes. And increasingly, those outcomes are shifting to OPEX-based, as-a-service models.

“Clients want solutions where AHEAD owns the infrastructure, software, services, and outcomes,” says Odom. It’s a radical simplification for clients, but it also means AHEAD carries the complexity. Yet with scale, $4.5 billion and growing, comes the muscle to make it work globally.

AI, automation, and a security-first mindset