Kanchana V Raman
Founder & President
Kanchana Raman is the Founder and CEO of Avacend, Inc. A seasoned entrepreneur in the ICT industry, she has built and scaled multiple ventures over the last two decades.
Since launching her first company in 1996, Kanchana has led global teams in deploying next-generation telecom networks across 18 countries. Under her leadership, Avacend has become a trusted partner in IT consulting, turnkey solutions, managed services, and collaborative innovation, earning recognition for excellence in service delivery.
Kanchana serves on several industry and non-profit boards, including the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), WBENC, and TiE Global. She is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where she earned her MBA.
Her leadership philosophy centers on adaptability, client partnership, and innovation with purpose. She is passionate about empowering diverse teams and building solutions that deliver measurable impact.
Kalpana Anantaraman
Chief Operating Officer
Kalpana Anantaraman brings over 20 years of experience in technology solutions, quality assurance, and operational leadership. Before leading Avacend’s India operations, she gained extensive experience in the U.S., including 14 years at General Electric, focusing on techno-commercial operations, Six Sigma, and leadership roles in GE Energy and GE Infrastructure.
Kalpana holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Under her leadership, Avacend Solutions has expanded its footprint, strengthened operational excellence, and driven strategic growth initiatives. She has been recognized as the Fastest Growing Women’s Business Enterprise by WEConnect International.
Mani Vannan
Chief Technology Officer
Mani Vannan serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Avacend, where he drives the company’s technology vision and global delivery strategy. With extensive expertise in technology leadership, he has been instrumental in shaping Avacend’s innovation roadmap, guiding digital transformation initiatives, and ensuring scalable, client-focused IT solutions.
As CTO, Mani focuses on building cutting-edge technology platforms, streamlining operations, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. His leadership emphasizes adaptability, continuous improvement, and aligning technology strategy with long-term business growth.
Mani holds a Master’s degree in Technology (M.Tech) from IIT Madras and a Master’s in Computer Information Systems from Georgia State University (GSU), which have provided him with a strong foundation to bridge advanced technical expertise with business innovation.
Reginald Phams
Vice President
Reginald “Reggie” Phams is the Vice President of Business Development at Avacend Inc., where he drives strategic growth initiatives and leads efforts to strengthen the company’s market presence. With extensive expertise in business development, supplier diversity, and small business advocacy, Reggie has built a strong reputation for fostering meaningful client partnerships and advancing innovative business strategies.
Before joining Avacend, he served as Interim Program Director for the Georgia Mentor Protégé Connection, a premier state-run program dedicated to supporting the growth and success of minority-owned businesses. His leadership at Avacend is defined by a client-first approach, a passion for collaboration, and a commitment to creating sustainable, long-term value for both clients and partners.
