With Sundar Pichai being named the CEO of Google newly-named parent company 'Alphabet', the world is bracing itself for more Indians at technology's top flight. Satya Nadella, a Hyderabadi, is already heading Microsoft and has been rather exemplary at doing so. We have all read about these people, and how awesome they've been. There is one more person we need to know about, though.
Have you heard of the company 'Adobe'? Of course you have. They make world-class software that help you read books, make kickass designs, edit your videos, and make beautiful illustrations. Adobe is synonymous with everything design and media related.
Meet Shantanu Narayen, the calm and collected CEO of Adobe Systems, headquartered in San Jose, California.
He grew up in Hyderabad; the second son of a mother who taught American literature and a father who ran a plastics company. He went to Hyderabad Public School, where he recollects having very good memories. Like all good boys of the time, Narayen holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering from Osmania University.
He wanted to grow in his career, so he went to the land of opportunity, the US of A, to pursue an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, and later masters in computer science from Bowling Green State University. So far, so ordinary. But things take an interesting turn now...
He started off his career at Apple, then one of the hothubs of innovation(it still is, but not as much). Post that, after a stint as a director of the Silicon Graphics, he co-founded Pictra Inc., a company that was one of the first internet photo sharing companies of the world.
Soon after the Pictra chapter, he took up a job as the Vice President in Adobe. It was while trying to sell his Pictra to Adobe that he landed a job. No, he did not succeed in selling the company to Adobe though!
In less than a span of 9 years, he climbed the ladder quickly and became the CEO of Adobe. As the president and chief executive officer of Adobe, Narayen's leadership, technology insight and operational expertise have strengthened the company's culture of innovation, expanded the company into new markets, and extended its product portfolio and global reach. In 2009, Narayen led the $1.8 billion acquisition of Omniture, a move that shocked many industry insiders.
Apart from all this, Narayen holds five patents and is a frequent speaker at industry and academic events. He is a member of the U.S. President's Management Advisory Board. He also serves on the Board of Pfizer, Inc. and the Advisory Board of the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley, and is president of the board of the Adobe Foundation, which funds philanthropic initiatives around the world.
Bond of the Titans: Narayen with Satya Nadella on stage, at an event announcing Microsoft and Adobe's partnership.
Narayen is calmly, yet strongly, spearheading a digital revolution world-over. It is a matter of pride to say that apna Hyderabadi has come this far! His is indeed a story that will inspire future entrepreneurs!!
Watch him talk about his plans for Adobe, and the digital world in general, here!






