Padmasree Warrior

Born in Vijayawada, India, Padmasree Warrior earned her master’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University. When she was first hired by Motorola as a research engineer, she was the only female engineer in the factory, but over her 23 years at the company she eventually rose to the position of chief technology officer and executive vice president, becoming the company’s first female executive. It was under Warrior’s leadership that the company was awarded the 2004 National Medal of Technology by President Bush. She left Motorola in 2007 to become the chief strategy and technology officer at Cisco Systems. Among the many recognitions she has earned, Fortune magazine named her one of four rising stars on its list of Most Powerful Women in 2006, and Women in Technology International inducted her into its Hall of Fame in 2007. Updated 2013