Dakshi Dhanapalan

As Senior Director, Global Technology Assets and Configuration Management at Marriott International I lead the establishment and maturation of a global, centralized capability governing both technology assets and configuration data—positioning this function as a strategic enabler of Marriott’s innovation, operational resilience, and global growth. In this role, I am accountable for defining and operationalizing enterprise strategy, governance, and operating models across Hardware Asset Management (HAM), Software Asset Management (SAM), Configuration Management (CMDB), Discovery, Service Mapping, and Application Inventory. My focus is on creating a single, trusted foundation that enables accurate lifecycle management, service reliability, financial transparency, compliance, and risk reduction across hardware, software, applications, and cloud environments. I partner closely with Finance, Global Procurement, Cybersecurity, Service Operations, Platform and Infrastructure teams, and Technology leadership to align asset and configuration data with enterprise service management, security controls, and financial governance. Key Focus Areas: • Define and execute Marriott’s global strategy for Technology Assets and Configuration Management. • Lead global HAM and SAM operations, driving lifecycle accuracy, cost optimization, and audit readiness. • Establish and govern CMDB integrity through automated discovery, service mapping, and authoritative application inventory. • Build scalable operating models that improve data trust, operational resilience, and business agility. • Leverage industry-leading platforms and best practices to deliver enterprise-wide visibility and value realization. By unifying technology asset and configuration management under a centralized global model, I help strengthen service reliability, reduce enterprise risk, and optimize cost performance across Marriott’s global technology ecosystem.

As Senior Director, Service Operations at Marriott International, I lead the establishment and maturation of a global, centralized IT Asset Management (ITAM) capability, positioning this function as a strategic enabler of Marriott’s continued innovation and global growth. In this foundational leadership role, I am responsible for building and operationalizing processes and governance structures that transform how Marriott manages its IT assets across hardware, software, and cloud environments. My work closely integrates with Configuration Management, Finance, Procurement, Cybersecurity, and Technology leaders to ensure alignment on lifecycle practices, compliance frameworks, and strategic asset utilization. Key Focus Areas: • Define and drive Marriott’s global ITAM strategy, lifecycle governance, and compliance standards. • Build scalable, mature asset management practices that enable financial transparency, risk mitigation, and business agility. • Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure alignment with financial, security, and procurement objectives. • Leverage leading technologies and best practices to deliver enterprise-wide visibility and optimized asset tracking. • Establish Marriott as a benchmark organization in ITAM value realization and operational efficiency. By centralizing asset management and implementing robust governance, my role is instrumental in enhancing service operations, reducing enterprise risk, and optimizing cost performance across Marriott’s global IT environment.

Global lead for the Technology Asset lifecycle management team including the development and implementation of the overall Hardware and software lifecycle management strategy. Manage an annual software budget of $100+ million USD, with a total asset value of approximately 400+ million USD. • Strategy Development: Develop and implement a global strategy for software lifecycle management aligned with organizational objectives and industry best practices. • Policy Development: Establish policies, procedures, and standards for the acquisition, deployment, utilization, and retirement of software assets. • Lifecycle Planning: Oversee the ongoing planning and coordination of software and hardware asset lifecycles, including procurement, deployment, maintenance, and disposal. • Vendor Management: Manage relationships with software vendors to negotiate favorable terms, optimize licensing agreements, and resolve vendor-related issues. • License Compliance: Ensure compliance with software licensing agreements, monitor usage rights, and mitigate compliance risks through proactive management practices. • Cost Optimization: Identify opportunities for cost savings through license optimization, consolidation, and strategic procurement practices. • Asset Inventory Management: Establish and maintain a comprehensive inventory of Hardware and software assets, including license entitlements, usage data, PC refresh and renewal/maintenance schedules. • Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including IT, procurement, legal, and finance departments, to align Technology Asset lifecycle management initiatives with organizational goals and priorities. • Audit Preparedness: Ensure readiness for software audits by maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of software assets, license entitlements, and compliance documentation.

Lead IT Asset Management global roadmap enabling key corporate priorities by controlling costs, enhancing operational efficiency, ensuring compliance, and mitigating security and financial risks. Manage $60M budget and 24,000 end-users with a team of 5 direct reports. Responsible for life cycle management of all hardware and software and configuration management database (CMDB) policies and procedures. • Selected as first director of ITAM for company, leveraging early performance to establish asset management operations and controls. • Established new workflows, metrics, and reporting, leveraging best practices and process standardization to streamline and improve processes. • Nominated by CIO to represent corporate IT to oversight committee that was established to formulate and implement companywide policies, guidelines and tools related to use of Open-Source Software across the organization.

Recommended, implemented, and monitored ITAM policies, controls, and processes to meet operational objectives. Tracked and reported IT software and hardware ensuring accuracy of IT asset inventory and configuration items throughout asset life cycle. Identified opportunities for volume purchasing to obtain price discounts. • Improved IT asset portfolio management by developing best practices standards, processes, and measurements. • Optimized asset control and inventory management processes to track accountability identification, location, maintenance, contracts, and lifecycle status.

Established formal ITAM department within company from ideation to implementation, building strategy, providing vision, and setting direction for day-to-day operations. Formulated and executed IT asset and configuration management policies, processes, and governance. Identified and reconciled data from numerous sources in central asset repository for security, cost control, and accountability. • Implemented Chargeback Program increasing return on investment and minimizing IT hardware costs through innovative concepts, techniques, and standardization. • Encouraged skill development and growth, empowering team to devote time for self-improvement and new learning experiences.

Provided technical leadership for enterprise information technology efforts, including design, development, and delivery of technology-enabled applications, asset management, customer relations, server management, and all other IT-related activities. Provided solutions to technical issues and met project schedules ensuring delivered solution aligned with technical specifications and design requirements. • Recognized for efficiently onboarding approximately 600 employees for high-profile customer.