# Vasanthi Ilangovan

> Vasanthi Ilangovan is co-founder and chairwoman of VIVA USA, a Rolling Meadows, Illinois-based staffing, software and supplier-management business established in 1996. An English graduate of Madras University who moved from India to the United States in 1991, she led VIVA as CEO before becoming chairwoman in 2026. Her career includes recognition in the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame and participation in women-owned and minority-owned business networks.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Chairwoman at VIVA USA
- **Organizations:** VIVA USA, STARS Supplier Success, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, WBENC 2025 National Conference Host Committee
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in English, University of Madras (Madras University)
- **Known for:** Inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2011., Built VIVA from a small founding operation to a workforce described by WBDC as over 400 globally in 2011., Listed among the Class III minority supplier honorees at the 2015 Chicago Business Opportunity Fair.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Moved from India to the United States.
- **Before 1996** — Ran an import-export venture after obtaining a U.S. work permit.
- **1996** — Co-founded VIVA USA with Ilango Radhakrishnan.
- **2011** — WBDC described VIVA as a global team of over 400, grown from a three-person team over 15 years; inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame.
- **2014** — Sprint reported a $300 scholarship for her participation in USPAACC Biz Express business training.
- **2015** — Described VIVA as having grown to 500 employees in a magazine interview.
- **2017** — Discussed role models and her entry into technology in ChicagoMSDC’s summer magazine.
- **2025** — Served on the WBENC National Conference host committee; featured with Ilango Radhakrishnan on a World Tamils Economic Conference panel.
- **2026** — Became chairwoman as Vinu Ilangovan succeeded her as CEO effective January 1.

## Achievements

- Inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame in 2011.
- Built VIVA from a small founding operation to a workforce described by WBDC as over 400 globally in 2011.
- Listed among the Class III minority supplier honorees at the 2015 Chicago Business Opportunity Fair.
- Served on the 2025 WBENC National Conference host committee.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — VIVA announced her participation as co-founder/chairwoman in its team for the October 25-28 NMSDC conference in Los Angeles.
- **2026-06** — VIVA reported recognition among USPAACC’s Fast 100 Asian American Businesses for 2026; she reposted the announcement.
- **2026-01** — Transitioned from CEO to chairwoman, with Vinu Ilangovan becoming CEO effective January 1.
- **2025-10** — Featured with Ilango Radhakrishnan in the World Tamils Economic Conference panel on entrepreneurial couples.

## Links

- Website: https://viva-it.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasanthi-ilangovan-84a9803

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/vasanthi-ilangovan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-25