Tesla's former Finance Executive, Sreela Venkataratnam, Steps into Rivian as Chief Accounting Officer

In a significant move, electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has announced the appointment of Sreela Venkataratnam as their new Chief Accounting Officer. Venkataratnam, who brings over 25 years of experience to her new role, is joining Rivian at a pivotal moment in the company's history.

Venkataratnam, most recently the Vice President of Finance and Business Operations at Tesla, has a rich background in the automotive industry. She worked for over a decade at Tesla, contributing to the automaker's global operation expansion and efficiency drive. Before Tesla, she held positions at Ernst & Young in Canada, Kleiner Perkins, Intuitive Surgical Inc., and Mercury Interactive Corp.

In her new role at Rivian, Venkataratnam will oversee financial reporting, tax and trade, internal controls and compliance, finance transformation management, and manufacturing controllership.

Venkataratnam's departure from Tesla was announced in August 2024, but she clarified that it was "definitely not for the fault of heart." She expressed her excitement about joining Rivian and supporting its mission.

Rivian is currently facing some financial challenges. There is uncertainty surrounding its $6 billion credit for financing its Georgia plant, and the company is forecasting lower deliveries in 2025. However, Rivian reported gross profit for the first time in the last quarter of 2024, which could be a positive sign for the future.

The R2 launch is on the horizon for Rivian, and Venkataratnam's experience and expertise are expected to play a crucial role in helping the company build on its financial foundation and scale the organization.

The current administration has moved to freeze loans related to Rivian's credit, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the company's finances. However, with Venkataratnam on board, Rivian seems determined to navigate these challenges and continue its mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable mobility.

As Venkataratnam takes on her new role, she is looking forward to contributing to Rivian's growth and success. Her appointment marks a significant step forward for the electric vehicle manufacturer, and industry watchers will be eager to see how she will shape Rivian's financial strategy in the coming months.

Tesla's former Finance Executive, Sreela Venkataratnam, Steps into Rivian as Chief Accounting Officer