Lisa Su, born in 1969 in Tainan, Taiwan, is a globally respected technology executive, electrical engineer, and the CEO of AMD (Advanced Micro Devices). Known for her visionary leadership and deep technical expertise, Lisa Su has been instrumental in revolutionizing AMD, transforming it into one of the most powerful names in the semiconductor industry.
With a proven record in chip design, high-performance computing, and strategic growth, she is widely regarded as one of the most influential women in tech today.
Early Life and Background
Lisa Su immigrated to the United States at the age of three with her parents. Raised in New York, she quickly developed a passion for mathematics and engineering. Her father was a statistician and her mother, an accountant turned entrepreneur—both greatly influenced her academic journey.
She attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science and later enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, she earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, focusing on semiconductor technology and silicon-on-insulator (SOI) devices.
Career Beginnings – IBM and Texas Instruments
Lisa Su began her engineering career at Texas Instruments in 1994 before moving to IBM in 1995. During her 13 years at IBM, she made significant contributions, including leading the development of copper interconnect technology, which marked a major advance in chip performance.
She later became Vice President at IBM and led the Emerging Products Division, where she played a key role in developing the Cell microprocessor used in the Sony PlayStation 3.
Leadership at Freescale Semiconductor
In 2007, Lisa Su joined Freescale Semiconductor as Chief Technology Officer, and later served as Senior VP and General Manager. At Freescale, she led innovations in embedded technologies, networking, and multimedia, helping steer the company toward a successful IPO in 2011.
Taking Charge at AMD – A Game-Changer in Tech
Lisa Su joined AMD in 2012 and took over as CEO in 2014. At the time, AMD was struggling to keep up with competitors. However, under her dynamic leadership, the company made a powerful comeback.
She spearheaded the launch of Ryzen, Threadripper, and EPYC processors, based on the new Zen architecture. These innovations helped AMD reclaim market share and directly compete with industry giant Intel.
Key strategic moves under Su’s leadership include:
- Acquisition of Xilinx in 2022 for $49 billion
- Major expansion into data centers, gaming consoles, and cloud computing
- Focus on AI chips, custom SoCs, and energy-efficient processors
Today, AMD stands as a global leader in high-performance computing, AI, and graphics processing.
Awards and Recognition
Lisa Su has received numerous awards and global recognition for her impact on technology and business leadership. Notably, she has been the first woman to receive several top industry honors.
Major awards and accolades include:
- Time CEO of the Year (2024)
- Fortune’s Most Powerful Women (2016–2024)
- Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women (2023)
- IEEE Robert N. Noyce Medal (2021)
- MIT Technology Review Top Innovator Under 35
- SIA’s Robert N. Noyce Award (2020)
- American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow (2020)
- Inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (2018)
In 2024, she was also named among Time’s 100 Most Influential People in AI and Financial Times’ Top 25 Women Shaping the World.
Personal Life and Interesting Facts
Lisa Su is married to Daniel Lin and resides in Austin, Texas. She is related to Jensen Huang, the founder and CEO of Nvidia—Huang’s mother is the sister of Su’s maternal grandfather.
As of 2024, Lisa Su has a net worth exceeding $1 billion, placing her among the wealthiest self-made women in the tech industry.
Legacy and Impact
Lisa Su’s leadership has not only reshaped AMD but also made her a role model for women in STEM, immigrant success stories, and young engineers worldwide. Her strategic vision, combined with strong technical roots, continues to drive AMD toward the future of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and next-gen computing.
Conclusion
Lisa Su’s biography is a powerful example of how innovation, education, and leadership can drive lasting impact. As AMD continues to grow under her direction, Lisa Su remains one of the most influential CEOs in the global tech space—proving that engineers can become visionary leaders.
