Warrior signs up with Cisco

Indian-born IIT-ian Padmasree Warrior has been appointed chief technology officer (CTO) of Cisco after her resignation from Motorola a couple of days ago.

Warrior was executive vice-president and CTO at Motorola.

At Cisco, Warrior will play a key leadership role in the continued development and communication of Cisco's technology strategy and vision, the company said in a statement today. She will report to Cisco's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Chambers.

"Padmasree's new role as CTO will help to develop and promote Cisco's future technology leadership," Chambers said.

"She is a technology visionary, an excellent leader with a strong industry voice and business acumen, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our leadership team."

Warrior, 47, was elevated as CTO at Motorola in 2003 after serving as corporate vice-president and general manager of Motorola's energy systems group and corporate vice-president and CTO for the company's semiconductor products sector.

Warrior studied chemical engineering at Cornell University taking a BS degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi.

Earlier this year, she was awarded Doctor of Engineering, Honoris Causa by New York's Polytechnic University. She is an external director on the board of Corning Corporation.

Soon after the announcement of her appointment at Cisco, Warrior got on the company's blogs to describe the circumstances for the change-over.

"...What are some of the characteristics of solutions driving the next wave of Internet evolution? We already see many precursors for this, such as collaboration, Web 2.0, and always-on-demand. Cisco has been at the forefront of this shift, where the network becomes the platform to deliver the next wave of applications and services,'' Warrior wrote.

"...I am eager to bring to Cisco my technical expertise, over 20 years of experience in many aspects of the communications industry, a global bent of mind and an energising leadership style.

"As we get to know each other, you will also see me as a tireless champion for innovation and inclusion. I enjoy envisioning and creating the future, and leveraging technology leadership for business growth. Expertise, experience, energy "" these exemplify my platform for achievement. This platform paradigm draws me to Cisco. ...However, I will begin by listening. Your comments, please."