Let’s talk about blending technology, art and wellness. In this episode of HARMAN’s interview series “The Next Wave,” Young Sohn talks with Fable Founder, President & CEO Padmasree Warrior about her career from semiconductor engineer to CEO of EV startup Nio, and her most recent endeavor to tackle mental wellness in founding Fable.
Prior to founding Fable, Padmasree was the CEO of Nio, a Chinese EV startup. She also served as Chief Development Officer while at Nio, as well as a member of its Board of Directors. While at Nio, Warrior coined the term car 3.0. In this context, the traditional mechanical systems of early automobiles represents car 1.0, while the combination of mechanics and electronics – or mechatronics – represents 2.0 and finally, car 3.0 is where software plays a much bigger role, including an operating system being introduced into the automobile. Prior to Nio, Warrior served as the Chief Technology & Strategy Officer for Cisco. While at Cisco, Warrior was in charge of corporate strategy, M&A, venture investments, and strategic partnerships. Prior to joining Cisco, she was EVP and CTO at Motorola. Under her leadership, Motorola was awarded the 2004 U.S. National Medal of Technology.
Forbes named Warrior as one of "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" for three years running. In 2013, The International Alliance for Women gave her the World of Difference Award. In 2012, Business Insider called her one of the "25 Most Influential Women in Wireless". Additionally, The Aspen Institute gave her the first Leadership in Science and Technology Award. Warrior currently serves on the boards of both Microsoft and Spotify.