India-born Padmasree Warrior steps down as Cisco's CTO, moves to a strategic advisory role

MUMBAI: Padmasree Warrior, one of the brightest Indian technology stars in the US, stepped down as chief technology officer at Cisco, a role she held for seven years, as the American company restructures its top deck. Warrior, who was named the 71st most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine last year, has moved to a strategic advisory role at the company and will stay on until September to help the transition, Cisco said in a statement.

“Padmasree has led the success of many of our strategic partnerships and will remain with us until September to help finalise some of our key partnerships for the future. I am grateful for the impact she’s had on Cisco and her commitment to helping us finalise these important alliances,” incoming Chief Executive Chuck Robbins said in a blog post.

He added that in her advisory post Warrior was charged with aligning technology development and corporate strategy to enable Cisco to anticipate, shape and lead major market transitions.

Rumours about Warrior’s exit had been making the rounds since May, when Cisco named Robbins CEO replacing John Chambers. Robbins had said at the time that he plans to create a flatter, leaner structure at the company.

Warrior, 54, studied at IIT-Delhi and at Cornell University. She is now likely a highly sought after candidate in the IT industry. Media reports have suggested that she may consider a move into the venture capital industry.

Born in Vijayawada, she is also on the board of trustees of Cornell University and serves on the board of clothing firm Gap. However, in Pankaj Patel, Cisco still has another Indian at the top.