Pragya Misra is the first to be hired by OpenAI in India. She will reportedly help with establishing and maintaining government relations as OpenAI progresses with its generative AI offerings and expansion in the country.
The 39-year old Misra has been helping to build the public affairs function at Truecaller since since 2021.
An alumna of the International Management Institute (IMI), from where she completed her MBA, she also holds a diploma in bargaining and negotiations from The London School of Economics and Political Science.
She was co-founder and CEO of MBA Insoft from 2008 to 2013, based out of Delhi. The IT services company provides ERP and consulting solutions to SMEs in the retail, hospitality and education sectors. She helped grow the client base to over 35 customers including big names such as the Birla Group, Adidas, Hard Rock Café and Jindal Steel.
Misra was appointed assistant manager, markets team, EY, in 2013, based out of Gurugram.
A year and a half later, she moved to Royal Danish Embassy, as sector head-lifesciences and transport. She played a significant role in improving trade from Danish private and/or public enterprises to India and South Asia.
The year 2018 saw Misra playing the role of communications manager at WhatsApp Inc . She was WhatsApp’s first India hire. She played a significant role in formulating the communications strategy for the ‘WhatsApp story’ by framing and conveying WhatsApp’s brand proposition. Among other responsibilities, she handled complex product announcements and managed numerous crisis cycles by engaging with journalists and key stakeholders to convey the firm’s stance and preserve its brand values.
Three years later, in 2021, she joined Truecaller as director, public affairs. Her hiring is a step towards OpenAI’s expansion in India.