About
Kris Pennella is an accomplished C-suite executive, global innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) strategist, and board member with experience leader market expansion, innovation, and transformative growth. As CEO, she led two successful company exits and has attained more than $300M in revenue, leveraging expertise in AI and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offerings to drive digital transformation and scale businesses. Known for aligning strategy with execution, Kris consistently delivers sustainable growth and solves complex challenges for organizations and stakeholders.
Experience
At Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Kris oversees a portfolio of products focused on generative, agentic and cognitive AI as Head of Portfolio Innovation. Before Microsoft, she held senior leadership roles at Red Hat (NYSE: IBM), where she scaled revenue by developing and executing scalable portfolio solutions for customers, particularly in AI, Connected Edge, and PaaS technologies. She has transformed business operations, improved customer retention, and led significant cost savings across industries.
Kris is on the Executive Advisory Board for Myriad Ventures, an early stage AI, deep technology, and B2B software venture fund, and is a Board Advisor for Kuhmute, a Series A company specializing in light electric vehicle charging solutions. Previously, Kris was the Treasurer of the PostgreSQL.US Association, a nonprofit supporting the use of the PostgreSQL Open Source Database, where she oversaw financial governance and drove strategic growth and fundraising initiatives.
At Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Kris oversees a portfolio of products focused on generative, agentic and cognitive AI as Head of Portfolio Innovation. Before Microsoft, she held senior leadership roles at Red Hat (NYSE: IBM), where she scaled revenue by developing and executing scalable portfolio solutions for customers, particularly in AI, Connected Edge, and PaaS technologies. She has transformed business operations, improved customer retention, and led significant cost savings across industries.
Kris is on the Executive Advisory Board for Myriad Ventures, an early stage AI, deep technology, and B2B software venture fund, and is a Board Advisor for Kuhmute, a Series A company specializing in light electric vehicle charging solutions. Previously, Kris was the Treasurer of the PostgreSQL.US Association, a nonprofit supporting the use of the PostgreSQL Open Source Database, where she oversaw financial governance and drove strategic growth and fundraising initiatives.
Kris focuses on the board’s role in Artificial Intelligence strategy and governance, innovation, and education on disruptive emerging technology trends and impact.
She is a thought leader who speaks at numerous industry events on AI strategy & governance, digital transformation, and business innovation.
