Suggestions
Narendar (Naren) Shankar
Senior VP--Partnerships - M&A - Go-To-Market - Product
Professional Background
Narendar (Naren) Shankar is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of invaluable experience driving hyper-growth in enterprise and service provider products. His exceptional skills in product management, marketing, and strategy have made him a leader in creating high-performing teams across various sectors. Naren has cultivated a remarkable career that spans multiple prestigious organizations, including VMware, Dell, NetApp, Cisco, as well as high-growth startups such as OnApp and Udacity. His extensive expertise encompasses not just direct sales, but also strategic business development and alliances that have played a pivotal role in the success stories of the businesses he has been part of. With a focus on cultivating innovation and securing profitable partnerships, Naren has helped shape the trajectory of emerging technologies and services within the tech landscape.
Education and Achievements
Naren's educational background is as diverse as his professional experiences. He pursued his Master of Science (MS) at the University of Maryland, which provided him with a robust theoretical and practical foundation in advanced technology and business strategy. Additionally, he studied at the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology and Science, known for its strong focus on engineering and enterprise management. Naren's early academic experiences at P.S. Senior provided essential formative skills that laid the groundwork for his future successes. Throughout his illustrious career, he has consistently proven that a strong academic background complements practical experience, allowing him to deliver superior outcomes for his teams and organizations.
Notable Roles and Contributions
In his recent role as Global Head of Business Development, Partnerships, Channel, and Universities at Udacity, Naren was instrumental in building strategic relationships that furthered the mission of transforming education through technology. His work at Udacity underscored his dedication to enhancing learning outcomes and fostering educational innovation in emerging technologies.
Prior to Udacity, Naren served as the Strategy & Business Development lead at Instart Logic Inc., where he helped guide the company's strategic direction amid a highly competitive landscape. His leadership as President of OnApp Inc. was marked by transformative growth and ambitious scalability, reinforcing his reputation as an executive who excels in driving business success under dynamic conditions.
Naren's tenure at VMware was highlighted by his role as Head of Product Management & Partnerships, where he developed and executed strategies that contributed significantly to the company’s cloud and virtualization solutions. He also played a vital role in product management at Dell, where he led the cloud and virtualization segment, showcasing his deep understanding of technology's evolving role within enterprises.
His early career included significant positions at NetApp, where he served as a Senior Product Manager, and Cisco Systems, where he led initiatives in counterfeit prevention programs. These experiences allowed Naren to cultivate a unique skill set that integrates product knowledge with market demands, enabling him to anticipate industry shifts and respond effectively. At Texas Instruments, he further honed his abilities as Product Lead, positioning himself as a key influencer in technology development and market strategy.
Overall, Naren Shankar’s career encapsulates a successful journey filled with accomplishments in driving growth and innovation in the technology sector. His blend of strategic insight, leadership capabilities, and operational excellence sets him apart as a prominent figure in the landscape of tech executives.
