From Mumbai to the C-Suite: Amish Patel’s Rise in Technology, Rooted at UNC Charlotte
Amish Patel’s remarkable journey from a spirited youth in Mumbai, India, to a chief technology officer at Elevance Health is a story of resilience, reinvention and the transformative power of education — especially the education he found at UNC Charlotte.
Today, Patel is one of the senior technology leaders for Elevance Health, a Fortune 25 company. As a CTO, he leads a global team, overseeing digital assets, artificial intelligence (AI) execution, care center solutions, APIs and cloud infrastructure. In 2025, his leadership earned him the prestigious CIO ORBIE Award in the Super Global category — one of the highest honors in the tech community.
But his path was anything but linear.
Humble Beginnings, Hidden Potential
Growing up in a middle-class family in Mumbai, Patel’s early years were marked by restlessness and underachievement in school. “I was known as a bit of a troublemaker in high school,” he recalls. “Educators and mentors didn’t expect much from me — I wasn’t seen as someone who would accomplish anything of much significance.”
Yet, beneath the surface, a quiet curiosity was taking root. In 1995, Patel enrolled in a programming course — a decision that would alter the course of his life. “Tinkering with computers, fixing them, exploring ideas — it started as a hobby, but quickly became a passion,” he says.
“UNC Charlotte gave me the space and support to grow — not just as a student, but as a person.”
– Amish Patel, UNC Charlotte Alumnus and Chief Technology Officer of Elevance Health
A New Beginning in Charlotte
After immigrating to the United States with his family, Patel settled in Charlotte, North Carolina — a turning point that inspired him to strive toward becoming his best self.
Financial constraints meant starting his higher education journey at Central Piedmont Community College. A couple of years later, he transferred to UNC Charlotte after being accepted by both UNC Charlotte and UNC Chapel Hill. “I chose UNC Charlotte because of its strong emphasis on technology and engineering — and because I wanted to stay close to my family,” he says.
The transition wasn’t easy. “As a new immigrant and student still finding my way, the experience was humbling. It taught me grit and perseverance,” Patel reflects. “UNC Charlotte gave me the space and support to grow — not just as a student, but as a person.”
Building Confidence Through Teaching
One of the pivotal experiences of his college years was working as a technical assistant in the Mosaic Lab at the Smith Engineering Building. “That role changed everything,” Patel says.
“Teaching others helped me better understand how people learn, and how to adapt. It taught me to collaborate, to listen, to stay open-minded — skills I carry with me even today.”
This early passion for mentoring and helping others grow through technology became a cornerstone of Patel’s leadership style — a trait that now influences global teams and strategic innovation at scale.
Finding More Than a Career
UNC Charlotte was also where Patel met his life partner, Archana, a fellow computer science major. “We shared 13 classes together,” he smiles. “Friendship turned into something more, and we married a year after graduation in 2002.”
After more than two decades of marriage and two amazing kids, Patel credits Archana as a central pillar in his life. “She made the choice to prioritize our family and her music, managing both with dedication and grace. Her unwavering support has been my anchor, always pushing me to reach higher.”
A Career Built on Passion and Persistence
Following graduation, Patel started his professional journey at Duke Energy, focusing on real-time energy trading systems that strengthened his technical foundation. He later transitioned to BB&T (now Truist), one of North Carolina’s leading financial institutions, where he advanced from an individual contributor to chief information officer (CIO) of Core Banking.
Building on that success, Patel now leads digital and technology at one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. He continues to draw upon the lessons he learned early on — work ethic, mentorship, resilience and an unshakable commitment to growth.
Words of Wisdom for Future Niners
For current students and emerging professionals, Patel offers this advice:
“Take full ownership of your journey. No one else is responsible for your success but you. And remember: it’s okay to fail — what’s not okay is giving up. It’s not always the smartest people who succeed — it’s the most determined, the most resourceful and the most resilient.”
As Patel continues shaping the future of technology, he remains committed to using his experiences to inspire the next generation—proving how resilience, curiosity and education transform potential into lasting impact.