Marissa Mayer
First female engineer at Google, former CEO of Yahoo!
Marissa Mayer (born May 30, 1975) is an American technology executive and entrepreneur who became one of the most prominent figures in Silicon Valley's history. In 1999, she joined Google as its first female engineer and was employee number 20, working on critical projects including the Google search interface, toolbar, and news products. During her 13 years at Google, she rose to Vice President of Search Products and User Experience, overseeing the design and development of major Google products. In 2012, she was appointed President and CEO of Yahoo!, becoming one of the youngest female CEOs of a Fortune 500 company at age 37. During her tenure at Yahoo!, she implemented a controversial work-from-home policy reversal and pursued aggressive acquisition strategies, including the high-profile purchase of Tumblr. Though her tenure was marked by both achievements and controversies, her career exemplifies female leadership in technology. She has been recognized as one of the most influential women in technology and business.
Business & Industry
American
1975
Thinking about the name
Marrissa
Latin origin
“An alternative spelling of Marissa, derived from the Latin 'mare' meaning 'sea,' with double-r and double-s emphasizing each syllable. Marrissa emerged as parents sought to individualize the popular Marissa through creative spelling variations. The name combines classic simplicity with modern customization.”