Devan Pillay is the Segment President of Heavy Industries within Schneider Electric’s Industrial Automation business, a sector he describes as “undergoing unprecedented transformation as the world accelerates toward a digital and decarbonized future.” In this role, Pillay leads a global team of 100 professionals, driving Schneider Electric’s strategic impact across hard-to-abate sectors including energies, chemicals, mining, minerals, and metals. His mission is to help these carbon-intensive industries - critical to both daily life and the broader energy transition - navigate the complexities of decarbonization while maintaining operational resilience and efficiency. With over 30 years of experience spanning business strategy, engineering, and transformational leadership, Pillay brings a proven track record in spearheading growth initiatives and building new business streams in emerging markets. His leadership style is defined by a passion for innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive progress. Pillay rejoined Schneider Electric in 2020, following an earlier tenure of various leadership roles from 2003 to 2008, as Vice President of Buildings for Africa/EMEA before being appointed Cluster President for Schneider Electric Anglophone Africa. A committed advocate for the African continent, he has championed the role of technology in addressing systemic challenges such as energy access, digital inclusion, education, and skills development. Prior to his current tenure at Schneider Electric, Pillay held several senior leadership roles, including: * President, Signify Africa * Managing Director roles at 3M Switzerland and Anglophone Africa * Strategy Director 3M USA and Business Director, Central East Europe (Turkey) * Regional Director, General Electric * Project Engineer, Eskom Majuba Power Station, Eskom He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the Durban University of Technology, South Africa.