Jayshree Ullal, one of the few female CEOs in Silicon Valley and the wealthiest Indian American woman, discusses her remarkable life journey and experiences with Aziz Haniffa.
Born in London, brought up in Delhi, and now a notable figure in Silicon Valley, Jayshree Ullal’s narrative traverses continents, reflecting pioneering accomplishments. With a net worth of $3.9 billion, she holds the title of the richest Indian American woman and ranks 802nd globally in wealth.
In a recent interview with DesiMax’s Trailblazers series, the president and CEO of Arista Networks delved into both her personal and professional life, offering rare insights into her journey and perspectives.
Ullal’s illustrious career commenced at Fairchild Semiconductor, where she served as a senior strategic development engineer. She later joined Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), designing high-speed memory chips, before assuming directorial roles at Ungermann-Bass and Crescendo Communications, which was acquired by Cisco Systems. During her 15-year tenure at Cisco, Ullal held various leadership positions.
Since taking the helm at Arista in 2008, she has steered the company to unprecedented success. Reflecting on her early days as CEO, Ullal recalled how Arista initially did not focus on cloud networking, a term that was still in its infancy. However, she embraced the challenge and set the company on a trajectory of innovation.
Ullal’s decision to join Arista stemmed from her desire to return to her entrepreneurial roots and work with familiar faces. Despite challenges, including a lawsuit filed by Cisco in 2014, Ullal remained steadfast in her commitment to Arista’s success.
Arista’s cloud networking products have since become integral to global infrastructures, demonstrating Ullal’s adaptability and leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ullal also addressed diversity and inclusion in the corporate realm, emphasizing the need for a more diverse talent pipeline. She underscored the importance of women and people of color contributing to the workforce, highlighting their invaluable contributions.
Reflecting on her personal life, Ullal credited her husband for his unwavering support and prioritization of family. Her daughters, recognizing both parents as role models, pursued their paths of excellence.
Ullal’s upbringing in India and the United States, shaped by her physicist father’s work and cultural experiences, laid the foundation for her success. Despite initial struggles, she adapted and excelled in the male-dominated field of engineering.
Now a prominent figure in Silicon Valley, Ullal reflects on her unexpected journey and the career she built over four decades. From her humble beginnings to her current stature, she embodies resilience, determination, and the spirit of innovation.
