George Kurian: Leading NetApp into the Future of Data Management

George Kurian has established himself as a prominent figure in the technology industry, leveraging his extensive experience and strategic vision to drive innovation. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NetApp, he has been instrumental in transforming the company into a leader in data management and cloud services.

Full Name:

George Kurian

Born:

Year: 1967
Place: Kottayam district, Kerala, India

Early Life and Family Background

George Kurian was born in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India, into a family that valued education and discipline. His father was a successful manufacturing entrepreneur, and his mother was a college-educated, no-nonsense individual. George has a twin brother, Thomas Kurian, who is the CEO of Google Cloud. Growing up, George was encouraged to pursue academic excellence, which laid the foundation for his future endeavors.​

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree: Electrical Engineering from Princeton University​

• MBA: Stanford Graduate School of Business​

His technical background, combined with a strong business education, provided him with a comprehensive understanding of both engineering and management principles. ​

Professional Journey: Companies and Key Milestones

1. Early Career

George Kurian's career began with roles in management consulting at McKinsey & Company and leadership positions at Oracle Corporation, where he led software engineering and product management teams. He also served as Vice President at Akamai Technologies, gaining valuable experience in the tech industry.​

2. Cisco Systems (2009 – 2011)

At Cisco Systems, George held the position of Vice President and General Manager of the Application Networking and Switching Technology Group. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the development of application networking products and solutions.​

3. NetApp (2011 – Present)

George joined NetApp in 2011 as Senior Vice President of its storage solutions group. He was promoted to Executive Vice President for Product Operations in 2013. In June 2015, he was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of NetApp. Under his leadership, NetApp has focused on expanding its cloud services and data management solutions, positioning the company as a key player in the industry

Leadership Style and Vision

George Kurian is recognized for his strategic foresight and ability to navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape. He emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty and adapting to change, which has been pivotal in NetApp's transformation. His leadership is characterized by a focus on innovation, customer-centric solutions, and fostering a collaborative corporate culture.​

Notable Recognitions and Roles

• Board Member:

  • The Cigna Group ​

• Industry Contributions:

  • Active participant in technology forums and conferences, sharing insights on data management and cloud computing.