Tesla Vice President Sreela Venkataratnam, a veteran at the company since 2013, has announced her resignation, citing a desire to take a break and focus on personal well-being. In a candid LinkedIn post this week, Venkataratnam reflected on her 11-year journey at the electric vehicle giant, describing it as “nothing short of extraordinary” but acknowledging that working there is “not for the faint of heart.”
A remarkable journey at Tesla
Venkataratnam, who held the role of Vice President of Finance and Business Operations, joined Tesla in early 2013 as Director of Finance Operations. Over the next decade, she climbed the ranks, becoming Senior Director of Finance before taking on the vice president role in 2019. During her tenure, she witnessed Tesla’s transformation from a company with less than $1 billion in annual revenue and a market cap of $4 billion to a $700 billion industry leader delivering over 1.8 million cars annually.
“After 11 incredible years, I bid farewell to Tesla. Reflecting on this journey, it has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Venkataratnam wrote in her LinkedIn post. She expressed pride in the company’s achievements and her role in its growth, adding that she plans to take a break before exploring new opportunities.
Challenges and gratitude
In her post, Venkataratnam also highlighted the challenges of working at Tesla, noting that it was “definitely not for the faint of heart.” Responding to a comment from former Tesla Chief Financial Officer Jason Wheeler, she agreed that the job wasn’t always easy. “It was great working with you, especially during those tough days!” she wrote.
Despite the difficulties, Venkataratnam expressed deep gratitude to her colleagues and teammates, crediting them for the company’s success. “Your integrity, dedication, and collaboration were instrumental in our shared success,” she stated, thanking both current and former Tesla employees who supported her throughout her journey.
A trend of departures
Venkataratnam’s departure follows a string of recent exits among Tesla’s senior leadership. According to Fortune, several high-ranking executives left the company earlier this year, including longtime Vice President of Investor Relations Martin Viecha, Senior Vice President Drew Baglino, and Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development Rohan Patel. These departures signal ongoing challenges within the company as it continues its rapid expansion.
Venkataratnam’s exit marks the end of an era at Tesla, where she was one of only two female vice presidents. Her departure underscores the demanding nature of working at the pioneering electric vehicle manufacturer, even as it continues to shape the future of transportation.