Meet Ashwin Ballal, the new CIO of Freshworks

With over three decades of leadership experience in technology and business strategy, Ashwin Ballal has joined Freshworks as its new chief information officer. Ballal will oversee all aspects of IT infrastructure, systems, and operations at Freshworks.

Most recently, Ballal was EVP and CIO at Medallia, where he led and transformed IT and security, workplace services, corporate procurement and travel. Prior to that, he served as the chief information, intelligence, and data officer of KLA Corp.

Ballal takes the baton from current CIO Prasad Ramakrishnan, who is retiring from Freshworks at the end of the quarter after six years of dedicated service and has been working closely with Ballal on a smooth transition. 

“Ashwin has a proven track record of implementing strategic IT initiatives, setting vision and strategy, driving large business transformations, and executing for hyper-scale growth,” says Ramakrishnan. “I’m confident that his leadership and vision will be instrumental in shaping the future of Freshworks’ IT landscape, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of technological advancements and continue to deliver exceptional value to our stakeholders and customers.”

Ballal is a past recipient of the HMG Strategy Transformational CIO Award and the CIO 100 Award from CIO Magazine. He holds a Ph.D. in material science and engineering and a postdoctoral degree in material science from the University of Maryland, College Park. Ballal earned his bachelor’s degree in metallurgy from India’s National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK).

“I am thrilled to join Freshworks and be part of a team that is dedicated to driving innovation and delivering tangible value to its stakeholders,” says Ballal. "In today's tech-driven world, prioritizing the integration of generative AI capabilities isn't just about staying competitive—it's about redefining operational excellence and elevating the employee experience to new heights. I look forward to collaborating with the talented teams at Freshworks to unlock new possibilities and drive transformative growth.”