Suggestions
Penny Herscher
Board director, former Tech CEO
Penny Herscher is a seasoned technology executive and board director with extensive experience in Silicon Valley. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board at Lumentum, a position she has held since August 2019.3 Herscher has been with Lumentum since its inception, being one of the founding board members when the company spun out from JDSU in 2015.35
With over 15 years of experience as a high-tech CEO and more than 15 years serving on public company boards, Herscher brings valuable expertise to her role.1 Her career highlights include:
-
Board positions: Currently serves on the boards of Lumentum, SGH (Smart Global), Forvia SA, Delphix, and Modern Health.4
-
CEO experience: Former President and CEO of two technology companies - Simplex Solutions (which she took public and later sold to Cadence Design Systems in 2002) and FirstRain (sold in 2017).4
-
Executive roles: Held senior positions at Synopsys, including being part of the executive leadership team through the company's IPO.4
-
Education: Holds a BA Hons and MA in mathematics from Cambridge University.12
Herscher is known for her expertise in leadership, enterprise go-to-market strategies, semiconductor and software technology, governance, executive compensation, ESG, M&A, and public company structural changes.4 She is also active in coaching entrepreneurs and frequently speaks at business schools and industry organizations on leadership, CEO and director training, and career growth.4
As of February 3, 2025, Herscher continues to play a crucial role in Lumentum's leadership, recently overseeing the appointment of a new CEO as the company enters a strong first half of its fiscal year.6



