Technology Magazine January 2024 | Page 17

LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY
Dr Lisa Su has led AMD ’ s transformation into a high-performance computing leader and one of the fastest-growing semiconductor companies

Chief executive and Chair of Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ), Dr Lisa Su has become a highly respected figure in the technology industry , known for her strategic vision and leadership in semiconductor engineering . Since joining AMD in 2012 , Su has led the company ’ s transformation into a highperformance and adaptive computing leader and one of the fastest-growing semiconductor companies in the world . Born in Tainan , Taiwan , in 1969 , Su emigrated to the United States at a young age , exhibiting a strong aptitude for mathematics and science which led her to pursue a career in electrical engineering . Su earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) in 1990 . Following her undergraduate studies , Su continued at MIT to complete her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the same subject . Su ’ s professional career began as a member of the technical staff at Texas Instruments , where she worked in its Semiconductor Process and Device Center . She joined IBM in 1995 , firstly as a staff researcher where – according to Forbes – she helped design chips that run 20 % faster by using semiconductors with copper circuitry instead of the traditional aluminium .

During her time at IBM , Su held various engineering and business leadership positions , including Vice President of the Semiconductor Research and Development Center , responsible for the strategic direction of IBM ’ s silicon technologies , joint development alliances and semiconductor R & D operations .
In 2007 , Su joined Freescale Semiconductor , serving as Chief Technology Officer . Her role involved overseeing the company ’ s technology strategy and research and development efforts , further honing her leadership skills in the tech industry . Su ’ s experience at Freescale cemented her reputation as a leading figure in semiconductor technology and management .
AMD , a company facing significant challenges , appointed Su as Senior Vice President in 2012 . Her arrival at AMD marked the beginning of a transformative era for the company . In 2014 , Su was named CEO , becoming the first woman to lead a major semiconductor company .
“ I would walk into rooms where there were , like , 25 people , and I might have been the only woman ,” she recalled of her early engineering days in an interview with
DR LISA SU TITLE : CEO & CHAIR COMPANY : AMD LOCATION : UNITED STATES
As Chair and Chief Executive Officer , Dr Lisa Su has led the transformation of AMD into a high-performance and adaptive computing leader , and one of the fastest-growing semiconductor companies in the world .
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