Asha Varghese

President
Caterpillar Foundation

Asha Varghese is the President of the Caterpillar Foundation.  In her role, she is responsible for leading the Foundation’s strategy, which focuses on the areas of basic human needs, education and environmental stability, and aligns with Caterpillar’s vision to help make sustainable progress possible around the world.

Prior to joining Caterpillar, Asha was at GE for 15 years with her most recent role as the Director of Global Health at the GE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the General Electric Company.  Her background includes information systems, Six Sigma and strategic planning for business processes across multiple GE businesses.  She is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and began her career through GE’s Information Digital Technology Leadership Program (DTLP), a two-year rotation-based program that focuses on project management and technical expertise. 

Asha holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and computer science from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.  She is a graduate of the 2018 Presidential Leadership Scholar program, which serves as a catalyst for a diverse network of leaders brought together to collaborate and make a difference in the world through the lens of the presidential experiences of George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson.  She also serves on the board of Covenant House in Chicago. Asha currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.