Sreela Venkataratnam, a senior executive at Tesla, has resigned from the company after more than a decade of service. In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, she described her time at Tesla as an extraordinary journey but noted that working there is “not for the faint of heart.”
Reflecting on Her Career at Tesla
Venkataratnam joined Tesla in early 2013 as Director of Finance Operations when the company was still in its early stages. “After 11 incredible years, I bid farewell to Tesla. Reflecting on this journey, it has been nothing short of extraordinary,” she wrote in her post. At the time she joined, Tesla had less than $1 billion in annual revenue, a market cap of around $4 billion, and had delivered fewer than 3,000 cars a year.
During her tenure, Venkataratnam witnessed Tesla’s meteoric rise. She climbed the ranks to become Vice President of Finance and Business Operations, one of only two women VPs at the company. By the time she left, Tesla’s annual revenue had soared close to $100 billion, with a market cap peaking at $1 trillion during the pandemic, and annual car deliveries exceeding 1.8 million.
Gratitude for Colleagues
In her resignation post, Venkataratnam expressed deep gratitude for her colleagues, stating, “I am profoundly grateful to the incredible champions, including some who are no longer with the company, my teammates, and colleagues who supported me and my team throughout this journey. Your integrity, dedication, and collaboration were instrumental in our shared success.”
Plans for the Future
As she steps away from Tesla, Venkataratnam plans to take a break to focus on personal well-being, spend quality time with family, and reconnect with old friends. She shared that she is energized for what lies ahead and is hopeful of finding another incredible opportunity where she can make a meaningful impact. “Here’s to new beginnings and future adventures!” she concluded.
Support from Colleagues
Venkataratnam’s post received numerous comments from her colleagues, commending her on her work and wishing her well. One colleague, Jason Wheeler, replied, “You did it right, Sreela. Congrats on an amazing run at a company that wasn’t always easy to work at. Bravo!” Venkataratnam responded, “Thank you so much, Jason! It is definitely not for the faint of heart! It was great working with you, especially during those tough days!”