IT company Cognizant’s Chief People Officer Rebecca (Becky) Schmitt has stepped down from her role to pursue external opportunities. She will leave the organisation on May 5.

Chief executive S Ravi Kumar had announced her departure to employees through an internal mail. Kumar said the NASDAQ-listed firm is looking at both internal and external candidates to replace Schmitt. She joined the firm in February 2020.

Cognizant confirmed the exit to ET. “We thank Becky for her dedication and lasting contributions to improving our employee experience and wish her well. We have launched a comprehensive search for our new Chief People Officer, and are excited to continue building on the success we have had in advancing our people strategy,” the company said in an email response.

Kathy Diaz, senior vice president of rewards and HR mergers and acquisitions will serve as the interim CPO, the mail read.

US-based software exporter Cognizant saw its net profit decrease 9.6% in the fourth quarter ending December to $521 million on account of impairment expenses and higher operating costs.

The company’s revenue, however, saw an uptick, rising 1.3% on year to $4.84 billion for the three-month period. Also, the FY22 full-year revenue came in at $19.4 billion, up 7.5% in constant currency. It surpassed the guided $19.3 billion figure.

Cognizant, in January, had named Ravi Kumar S as its chief executive and a member of the Board. Kumar succeeded Brian Humphries in both roles. In a stock exchange filing. Humphries remained with the Teaneck-based IT major as a special advisor till last month.

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