BIO:
- Name: Lisa Su
- Title/Position: President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
- Industry: Semiconductor and Technology
- Location: Austin, Texas, USA
- Age: 55 - (7th of November 1969)
- Net Worth: Estimated over $1 billion as of 2024
Lisa Su’s Story
Lisa CEO became the first CEO of AMD, Advanced Micro Devices, an American multinational corporation and technology company. Su is known for her leadership at AMD, having transformed the company from a struggling entity to a major player in the semiconductor industry. Later becoming TIME’s 2024 CEO of the Year.
Born in Tainan, Taiwan, Lisa Su immigrated to the United States at the age of three. From an early age, she exhibited a profound curiosity about how things worked, often disassembling and repairing her brother’s remote-controlled cars.
This innate curiosity laid the foundation for her future in engineering. Su attended the Bronx High School of Science in New York City, graduating in 1986. She then pursued electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she earned her bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees.
Throughout her career, Su has been interested in the semiconductor industry. She began at Texas Instruments and later joined IBM, where she played a pivotal role in developing silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology, enhancing semiconductor efficiency. Her tenure at IBM culminated in her position as Vice President of the Semiconductor Research and Development Center.
In 2012, Su joined AMD as Senior Vice President and General Manager. By 2014, she became the CEO, becoming the first woman to lead the company. When she took over at the company in 2014, its share price was languishing around $3. At that time, AMD faced significant challenges, including financial instability and fierce competition.
Su’s visionary leadership and focus on high-performance computing and graphics technologies revitalized AMD, transforming it into a formidable competitor in the semiconductor industry.
Career Highlights
Key Milestones:
- 1995: Joined IBM as a research staff member, contributing to advancements in semiconductor technology.
- 2000: Appointed Director of Emerging Products at IBM, leading innovative projects in semiconductor development.
- 2007: Became Chief Technology Officer at Freescale Semiconductor, overseeing research and development.
- 2012: Joined AMD as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Business Units.
- 2014: Appointed President and CEO of AMD, leading a remarkable turnaround of the company, becoming Time’s CEO of the year in 2024.
Achievements:
- Technological Innovations: Pioneered the development of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology at IBM, leading to more efficient semiconductor designs.
- AMD’s Resurgence: Under Su’s leadership, AMD’s stock price surged from $3 to approximately $140, and the company’s market capitalization exceeded $200 billion by 2024.
- AI Advancements: Positioned AMD as a key player in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, challenging competitors like Nvidia.
- Industry Recognition: Named one of the world’s most influential women by the Financial Times in 2024.
Lisa Su’s Net Worth
As of 2024, Lisa Su’s net worth is estimated to be over $1 billion. This substantial wealth accumulation stems from her successful tenure at AMD, where she not only revitalized the company’s product line but also significantly increased its market share and stock value. Her strategic decisions and profound questions, including diversifying AMD’s product portfolio and entering new markets, have been pivotal in enhancing the company’s profitability and, consequently, her personal earnings.
Lisa Su in the News
- “Lisa Su Is TIME’s 2024 CEO of the Year” — TIME magazine recognized Su for her exceptional leadership in transforming AMD into a semiconductor powerhouse.
- “She took down Intel. Now AMD’s CEO has a new miracle to perform.” — Business Insider highlighted Su’s achievements in surpassing Intel and her ongoing efforts to challenge Nvidia in the AI chip market.
- “Lisa Su on AMD’s Strategy for Growth and the Future of AI” — In an interview with TIME, Su discussed AMD’s growth strategy and its role in the evolving AI landscape. citeturn0news34
Quotes by Lisa Su
“My dad was a mathematician and worked for New York City as a statistician. My mom was an accountant and eventually started her own business in her mid-40s. She linked manufacturers in Taiwan to companies in the United States that needed those types of products.”
“What’s important for all of us as chip companies is to keep the innovation going: putting out new products, figuring out how we connect these complex systems.”
“I did a lot of engineering things, like taking apart my brother’s model car when I was 10. I also played the piano for about 10 years. I auditioned for Juilliard but didn’t get in.”
“Run toward the hardest problems. This approach has helped me to learn a tremendous amount from both success and failure.”
“The world is starving for new ideas and great leaders who will champion those ideas.”
What to Read Next? 45 Powerful Female Leadership Quotes Every Woman Should Read in 2025
FAQs: Most Asked Questions About Lisa Su
How much is Lisa Su worth?
As of 2024, Lisa Su’s net worth is estimated to be over $1 billion. Her wealth primarily comes from her leadership at AMD, where she played a pivotal role in revitalizing the company and significantly increasing its market value. Her compensation includes salary, stock options, and performance-based incentives.
How much of AMD does Lisa Su own?
Lisa Su owns a significant number of AMD shares, making her one of the most influential figures in the company. As of the most recent filings, she holds over 2 million AMD shares, with additional options and stock awards as part of her executive compensation package.
How did Lisa Su become AMD CEO?
Lisa Su joined AMD in 2012 as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Business Units. Due to her strategic vision, technical expertise, and leadership, she quickly rose through the ranks. In October 2014, she was appointed President and CEO, making her the first woman to lead the company. She took over at a time when AMD was struggling and successfully transformed it into a leading semiconductor powerhouse by focusing on high-performance computing, gaming, and AI-driven innovations.
Who is Lisa Su’s Husband?
Lisa Su’s husband is Daniel Lin. They are are based in Austin, Texas.
