# Shankar Narayanan

> Shankar Narayanan is the CEO of Real Chemistry, having succeeded founder Jim Weiss in January 2022. His career includes McKinsey & Company, leadership of Cognizant’s Life Sciences business and the COO role at Equian. Based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, he is also a drummer, reader, improv enthusiast and Manchester City supporter.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Real Chemistry
- **Organizations:** Real Chemistry, Equian, Cognizant, McKinsey & Company, New Mountain Capital
- **Education:** Indian Institute of Technology Madras, MBA, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta
- **Known for:** Helped integrate nine companies at Equian; New Mountain Capital credits his strategic and operational leadership with contributing to doubled revenue and tripled EBITDA before the sale to Optum., Led Cognizant’s Life Sciences business as its revenue grew from $800 million to $1.3 billion, according to December 2021 reporting., Named to the PRWeek Power List in 2024 and 2025.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2012** — Worked at McKinsey & Company for approximately 15 to 16 years, becoming a partner.
- **Before 2019** — Led Cognizant’s Life Sciences business; subsequently served as COO of Equian.
- **2019** — Equian was acquired by Optum.
- **2022** — Became CEO and a board member of Real Chemistry on January 3, succeeding Jim Weiss.
- **2024** — Named to the PRWeek Power List.
- **2025** — Named to the PRWeek Power List again; continued leading Real Chemistry through a new continuation-fund ownership arrangement.
- **2026** — Real Chemistry established its first APAC strategic hub through the acquisition of Singapore-based Spurwing Communications.

## Achievements

- Helped integrate nine companies at Equian; New Mountain Capital credits his strategic and operational leadership with contributing to doubled revenue and tripled EBITDA before the sale to Optum.
- Led Cognizant’s Life Sciences business as its revenue grew from $800 million to $1.3 billion, according to December 2021 reporting.
- Named to the PRWeek Power List in 2024 and 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Real Chemistry announced the acquisition of Spurwing Communications and its first APAC strategic hub in Singapore on July 7.
- **2025-07** — Shared career lessons from an Ask Me Anything session with Real Chemistry interns.
- **2025-04** — Discussed international expansion, AI investment and talent following New Mountain Capital’s $3.1 billion continuation vehicle.

## Links

- Website: https://www.realchemistry.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shankar-narayanan-012700/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/shankar-narayanan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-06