On behalf of Tax Executives Institute’s (TEI) Board of Directors and Executive Committee, TEI is proud to announce that Sandhya Edupuganty assumed the role of TEI’s International President at TEI’s Annual Meeting of Members, effective August 8, 2023. Ms. Edupuganty’s term is for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, and she succeeds outgoing International President, Wayne Monfries.
Ms. Edupuganty believes that our members have a responsibility for increased engagement in this age of transparency and technology, given the ongoing complexity of regulations and tax legislation coupled with the transparency and speed required of an effective tax function. Ms. Edupuganty’s vision for her presidency focuses on four main goals. First, attracting, engaging, and retaining TEI members, while ensuring a deeper understanding of members’ needs and delivering a more robust value proposition. Second, creating further networking and educational opportunities through affinity groups and discussion forums amongst members. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience members can share with each other that helps the profession. A strong and successful tax operation is one that is cohesive, coherent, and has removed siloed processes. Third, broadening Chief Tax Officer engagement with TEI members to expand mentorship and develop and deliver thought leadership opportunities. Fourth, increasing member advocacy and liaison participation to leverage member influence and convey TEI members' measured perspectives on important taxpayer issues. TEI’s Executive Director, Pilar Mata, said “I look forward to serving with Sandhya in her new role as International President. Sandhya’s passion for technology, innovation, and transparency has benefited our members in recent years, and I am excited about the impact her goals will have on the organization.”
Ms. Edupuganty joined TEI in 1999 and has served in varying roles on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Over her 24 years as a TEI member, she has been involved in various TEI technical committees, including the Tax Technology, Federal Tax, Employee Benefits and Payroll, U.S. International Tax, and Corporate Tax Management, as well as TEI’s internal Continuing Education and Communications & Technology committees. She was a member of the Thomson Reuters Global Compliance and Reporting Innovation Advisory Board and was awarded the Thomson Reuters “Taxologist” award along with one of her colleagues for her contributions to risk mitigation and tax transparency using small automation. Ms. Edupuganty advocated for and coordinated TEI’s first Tax and Tax Technology Seminar held in 2019. This seminar has resonated with members and is well attended every year. She has served on the TEI Dallas Chapter Board, the IRS Research & Development Working Group, and the Tax Reform Task Force.
Ms. Edupuganty currently serves as Vice President of Tax at E2open LLC. She started her career in the Big 4 and later worked in varying roles at well-known technology firms, including Texas Instruments, where she served as Tax Compliance and Technology Director and expanded her income tax role to include the tax technology function and oversight for the tax department. Ms. Edupuganty believes the importance of technology and documented processes cannot be overstated and is necessary to remove siloes that exist at companies of all sizes. She states, “A best-in-class tax function, while being responsible for all aspects of the tax life cycle and staying abreast of tax law; should partner with the business to assist with growth and expansion in a tax-efficient manner.”
Ms. Edupuganty earned her B.A. in Accounting from St. Francis College in India and received an M.A. in Accounting with a Tax Specialization from the University of Alabama. She is a frequent speaker, moderator, and mentor. She has served on the boards of various schools and organizations in the past.