New Delhi, India – January 21, 2026 – Guardian India Operations Private Limited (“Guardian India”), the global capability centre for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (“Guardian”), today announced the appointment of Karunakaran (Karun) Azhisur as Country Head – India.
In his new role as the Country Head – India, he will be reporting to Michael Prestileo, Chief Strategy Officer and Chair of the Guardian India Board. Furthermore, Karun will continue to serve as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Guardian India, partnering closely with Steve Rullo, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, to drive technology-led transformation and operational excellence.
“Karun’s extensive global experience and proven ability to drive complex transformations make him an ideal leader for Guardian India,” said Prestileo. “His strategic vision and disciplined execution will be instrumental as we advance our technology strategy and accelerate innovation for our policyholders.”
“Guardian India’s strength lies in its people and culture,” added Karun. “As we move into the next phase of growth, my focus will be on building teams, nurturing leadership, and creating an environment where technology and talent come together to enable transformation.”
Karun brings over two decades of global technology and engineering leadership experience, having built and scaled high-performing software, data, and platform teams across the U.S. and India. His background spans senior leadership roles in global diversified enterprises and Silicon Valley–based technology firms, with deep expertise in product-centric operating models, enterprise-scale transformation, and next-generation digital platforms.
Most recently, Karun has been leading AI‑driven enterprise transformation initiatives, building agentic AI capabilities, modernizing core technology platforms, and scaling globally distributed product and engineering teams. His leadership philosophy emphasizes strong product ownership, engineering & operations excellence, and talent development as key enablers of sustainable business outcomes.
Guardian India Operations Private Limited (Guardian India) is the global capability centre for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), headquartered in New York. Guardian India, located in Chennai and Gurugram, provides IT and ITES services, consulting, and business solutions to Guardian and its affiliates. Guardian India delivers business value to the parent organization while maintaining a strong focus on mentorship programs, leadership development opportunities for women, employee health, and well-being. These competencies have ascended Guardian India’s path to multiple accolades, including being recognized as a Great Place to Work® for several consecutive years. In 2025, Guardian India has been recognized as one of India’s best places to work for Women and as one of the Top 100 best workplaces in IT & IT-BPM sector by Great Place To Work Institute (India).
Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need us most. With 165 years of stability and fiscal integrity, we are a trusted resource to generations of families and business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial confidence. Today, we stand behind millions of consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their families. We help business owners care for their employees. And we help people recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. As a modern mutual insurance company, we believe in driving value beyond dividends. We invest in our colleagues, are building an inclusive and innovative culture, and are helping to uplift communities through thoughtful corporate impact programs. Guardian, which is based in New York City, is a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits, and has received accolades for its culture and service. Our colleagues and financial professionals serve with care and experience, and our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which included a 2026 dividend allocation of $1.7 billion – the largest in the company’s history.
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