Shantanu Narayen, MBA 93
President & CEO, Adobe Systems Incorporated

“Focus on the task at hand and the fruits will take care of themselves.”   This is the guiding philosophy of Shantanu Narayen, president and chief executive officer of Adobe Systems Incorporated.  Over the course of his career, it has aptly steered and the companies he has influenced.  Succeeding in a sector of business that demands products continually be on the cutting edge of innovation, Shantanu is well respected for both his operational expertise and product management savvy.

Shantanu was trained initially in his native land of India, graduating from Osmania University, where his mother was a professor of American Literature.  There he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in electronic engineering.  He went on to get a Master’s in computer science at Bowling Green State University, where he met his wife Reni. 

While working at Apple Computer, Inc, Shantanu attended the Haas School of Business Evening Weekend MBA program, graduating in 1993.  He co-founded Pictra, Inc. in 1996, an early pioneer of digital photo sharing over the Internet.   While there, he developed a key partnership with Adobe and joined the firm in 1998 as vice president and general manager of Adobe’s engineering technology group.

 In January 1999, Shantanu was promoted to senior vice president, worldwide products, and in March 2001 he was promoted to executive vice president, worldwide product marketing and development.   In January 2005, Shantanu assumed the role of president and chief operating officer which he held until he became the company’s chief executive officer in 2007.

Shantanu’s leadership, operational proficiency, and technological foresight have strengthened Adobe’s culture of innovation, expanded the company into new markets, and extended its product portfolio and global reach.

Shantanu holds five patents and is a frequent speaker at industry and academic events. He serves on the Board of Metavante Technologies, Inc. and the Advisory Board of the Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley.  He is married and has two sons.