Jayshree Ullal

BIO:

Name: Jayshree Ullal
Title/Position: President & CEO, Arista Networks
Industry: Technology, Cloud Networking
Location: Saratoga, California, USA
Age: 64 - (27th of March 1961)
Net Worth: Estimated $4.7 billion (2025)

Jayshree Ullal by Wikimedia user Alchetron licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Jayshree Ullal’s Story

Jayshree Ullal went from startup leader to one of the most influential female CEOs in the tech industry and the wealthiest self-made woman in the US.

Jayshree Ullal was born in London and raised in New Delhi. After earning a B.S. in electrical engineering from San Francisco State University and an M.S. in engineering management from Santa Clara University, she began her career at semiconductor companies like Fairchild and AMD.

Her pivotal career move came in 1993 when Cisco Systems acquired Crescendo Communications, where she was vice president of marketing. At Cisco, she played a crucial role in growing the Catalyst switching business from its inception to a $5 billion enterprise by 2000. Over 15 years, she rose to Senior Vice President, overseeing a $10 billion data center and switching division.

In 2008, seeking a new challenge, Ullal joined Arista Networks as CEO and President. Under her leadership, Arista went from zero to a multi-billion-dollar business. She led the then-startup into a cloud networking powerhouse, culminating in a successful IPO in 2014. Her vision and determination have solidified her reputation as a powerful female leader.

Career Highlights

Key Milestones:

1993: Joined Cisco Systems through its acquisition of Crescendo Communications.
2005: Promoted to Senior Vice President at Cisco, leading a $10 billion division.
2008: Appointed CEO and President of Arista Networks.
2014: Led Arista Networks to a successful IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
2018: Named one of Barron’s “World’s Best CEOs.”

Achievements:

Grew Arista Networks into a multi-billion-dollar company with a significant market share in cloud networking.
Recognized as one of Forbes‘ “Top Five Most Influential People in the Networking Industry.”
Serves on the board of directors for Snowflake Inc., contributing to strategic decisions in cloud data warehousing.
Recipient of the EY U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2015.

Jayshree Ullal Net Worth

Jayshree Ullal’s net worth is estimated at $4.7 billion as of 2025, primarily derived from her approximately 5% stake in Arista Networks. Her wealth has grown in tandem with Arista’s stock performance, which has seen significant appreciation since its IPO in 2014. In 2024, she was listed among Forbes‘ richest self-made women in America achieving billionaire status, highlighting her financial success and business acumen.

Jayshree Ullal in the News

Forbes 400 Inclusion (2024): Ullal made her debut on the Forbes 400 list, marking her as one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States.
Arista Networks’ Growth: Under Ullal’s leadership, Arista Networks reported a 49% increase in revenue in 2023, showcasing the company’s robust performance in the cloud networking sector.

Quotes by Jayshree Ullal

“As human beings we all want to do a good job, be acknowledged and crave that appreciation. Treat your peers and team respectfully, cultivate their inner strengths and harness their full potential.”