Haute 100 San Francisco Update: Marissa Mayer
Our Haute 100 list details the accomplishments of the most influential people in each of our markets—Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. These people continue to make moves, so rather than waiting for the next Haute 100 issue to come out, we thought we’d provide you with regular updates on those Haute 100 members who are making headlines. Check back daily for more info on the most powerful people in your city. Google Inc. is going local and Marissa Mayer, the company’s 20th employee, is changing roles and getting promoted.
Marissa Mayer
Category: Thinkers
Company: Google
Industry: Technology
What Made Her Haute: Mayer joined Google in 1999 as the company’s first female engineer, where she was one of the first dozen or so engineers in the entire company. She has worked on designing and developing Google’s search interface, defining Google News, Gmail and Orkut, and launching more than 100 features and products on Google.com. Google has filed several patents based on her work in artificial intelligence and interface design. Mayer has also taught introductory computer programming at Stanford to more than 3,000 students, and she has received the Centennial Teaching Award and the Forsythe Award for her contribution to undergraduate education.
What Makes Her Haute Now: Google Inc. has announced that Marissa Mayer will be leaving her post as vice president of search products and user experience to oversee geographic and local services. The 35-year-old has also been promoted to an elite group of top executives on Google’s operating committee, making her the youngest member on the committee that makes key decisions. The company’s first female engineer will aide in the company’s concentration on online advertising, which makes up more than 90 percent of Google’s revenue. The company plans to focus more attention on local businesses and location services and as the company’s high-profile public face, Mayer is just the person to direct this crucial undertaking. Google is in the works developing the company’s crystal-ball take on Yellow Pages business. Udi Manber, vice president of engineering for Web search, will take on Mayer’s former search position.
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