Sufel H. Barkat is a distinguished global technology executive with over 45 years of experience driving transformative change across the insurance, healthcare, hospitality, financial services, and manufacturing industries. Renowned for his ability to align IT strategy with business vision, Sufel is a proven expert in global enterprise transformation, software development leadership, cloud integration, and process optimization. His visionary leadership, deep technical acumen, and cross-industry versatility have made him a sought-after advisor for organizations seeking to modernize and scale in today’s competitive digital landscape.

Throughout his career, Sufel has led enterprise-wide initiatives that consistently delivered measurable results, from cost reduction and operational efficiency to digital innovation and international expansion. His career spans high-impact roles, including senior executive positions at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., GE Healthcare, Global Hyatt Corporation, and Accenture. At Arthur J. Gallagher, Sufel served as the Global Enterprise Leader and Vice President of IT, where he directed a comprehensive HR technology transformation across more than 130 countries. He spearheaded the implementation of a global Oracle HCM Cloud solution, built and managed high-performing global teams, and reduced system and infrastructure costs by 25%.

At GE Healthcare, Sufel led ERP and BI consolidation efforts, reducing the enterprise system footprint and operating costs significantly while enhancing strategic decision-making capabilities. He was also instrumental in the successful joint venture with Microsoft to launch Caradigm, overseeing full system implementation within an impressive 2.5-month timeframe. His leadership was critical in reengineering supply chain systems and introducing process innovations aligned with Six Sigma principles.

Earlier in his career, as Vice President of IT at Global Hyatt Corporation, Sufel led a 70-person global IT division supporting HR, finance, and legal operations. He managed a $30M+ IT budget and launched Shared Service Centers to centralize operations and improve compliance with internal and external reporting requirements. At Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), he built the foundation of the Oracle practice in Chicago, expanding the team to over 250 employees and generating significant revenue through innovative, pre-configured implementation strategies.

Sufel’s core expertise includes global business process reengineering, cloud ERP and HCM strategy, full software development lifecycle management, enterprise data warehousing and BI, compliance with SoX and GDPR, and M&A integration planning. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, and Gujarati, and has international exposure through engagements across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, China, and India.

Currently, Sufel serves on the board of the nonprofit “Pennies for Education & Health” and is the President of the Community SJKB, a 300-member organization. He brings not only operational and technical expertise but also a passion for community building and mentorship. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys golfing, volleyball, and bowling—activities that mirror his team-oriented leadership style and energetic approach to problem-solving.

Today, Sufel is selectively pursuing board and advisory roles where he can apply his decades of experience to help organizations navigate digital transformation, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable growth. With a career rooted in delivering technology-enabled value at scale, Sufel Barkat is an ideal board candidate for companies seeking a seasoned technology strategist and global business leader.

Character: Sufel is a principled and dependable leader known for his integrity, collaborative spirit, and commitment to driving meaningful change.

Knowledge: With over four decades of experience, Sufel possesses deep technical expertise across IT transformation, ERP systems, cloud architecture, and global operations.

Strategic: He excels at aligning technology with business goals, consistently delivering cost-effective, scalable solutions that support long-term growth and innovation.

Communication: Sufel is a clear, persuasive communicator who effectively engages cross-functional teams, executive stakeholders, and global partners to drive alignment and results.