WeWork ropes in Softbank’s Partner as Board of Director
One of the newsmakers of 2019, co-working and space-as-a-service platform, WeWork has announced the appointment of Kirthiga Reddy to its board. A technology executive and Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers, Reddy brings a wealth of relevant product, marketing and technology expertise to WeWork’s member-focused business.
While announcing the appointment, Marcelo Claure, Executive Chairman of WeWork said, “Kirthiga will be a valuable asset to WeWork as we continue to develop new digital products and services that improve the member experience and how we manage our global platform.”
Reddy has been a Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers since 2018, overseeing investments in companies such as Collective Health, which is transforming the healthcare economy.
Prior to joining SoftBank Investment Advisers, Reddy has worked with Facebook for over seven years. In fact, she was its first-ever India employee and Managing Director, Facebook India and South Asia.
An MBA from Stanford University Reddy began her career in engineering and technology roles. Currently, she is also an advisory council member to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women International and before was Chair, Stanford Business School Management Board. Reddy is a key executive sponsor of SoftBank Investment Advisers’ Diversity & Inclusion initiatives, which encompass diversity across gender, underrepresented minorities, LGBTQ, first-generation college graduates, among other affinity groups.
On her new role, she said, “I am thrilled to join the board at WeWork, a company where the SoftBank Vision Fund continues to see incredible potential in the product and platform.”
“Recent changes at the company mark a new and exciting chapter for WeWork. As someone who has built businesses in-market and helped lead global teams, I look forward to guiding management in product development, marketing, and diversity and inclusion efforts,” added Reddy.
Reddy in a way also sits on WeWork’s board keeping in mind the interest of Softbank, one of the investors of WeWork. As Claure also shared, “In partnership with the SoftBank Vision Fund, we sought a director who adds strategic value to our business as we implement our five-year plan.”
How she influences the decisions for WeWork and helps it create inclusive and relevant policies is to look forward to.
The news comes in a few days after WeWork named Indian-American real estate veteran Sandeep Mathrani as the new Chief Executive Officer of the company. Mathrani, who most recently served as CEO of Brookfield Properties' retail group, will join in his new role from February 18. He would also be a member of the company's Board of Directors.
Let’s see how these latest leadership changes at WeWork help it pave a better future for itself for the next five years.
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