In a significant shake-up in the tech industry, Kara Sprague, the former Chief Product Officer at F5, has been appointed as the new CEO of HackerOne. This transition marks a pivotal moment for HackerOne, a leading player in the cybersecurity space, known for its bug bounty programs and security solutions.
Kara Sprague Takes the Helm at HackerOne
Kara Sprague, who has been a prominent figure at F5 for the past seven years, will step into her new role at HackerOne on November 4. Her appointment follows a successful tenure at F5, where she was instrumental in steering the company towards a more software-focused business model. Here’s a quick overview of her career trajectory:
- F5: Sprague joined F5 as Chief Product Officer in December 2022 after serving as Executive Vice President since 2019.
- McKinsey & Company: She spent 13 years at McKinsey, gaining extensive experience in strategic leadership.
- Oracle: Earlier in her career, she was a member of the technical staff at Oracle.
- Trimble: Sprague also serves as a board director at this publicly traded tech company.
HackerOne, founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, offers a suite of cybersecurity solutions, including bug bounty programs, pentesting, code security audits, and AI-driven red teaming products. The company’s impressive client list features major names such as Coinbase, Goldman Sachs, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Sprague’s Vision for HackerOne
In her new role, Kara Sprague aims to expand HackerOne’s platform capabilities, focusing on:
- Enterprise Solutions: Enhancing services for enterprise customers.
- Security Researcher Community: Investing in and growing the community of ethical hackers.
- Trust Building: Strengthening trust with customers, partners, and the researcher community.
Sprague’s predecessor, Marten Mickos, expressed his enthusiasm about her appointment, calling it “phenomenal news for HackerOne and the ethical hacking industry.”
F5’s Leadership Changes
F5 is also undergoing a leadership transition, announcing three new C-suite positions:
- Tom Fountain: Promoted to Chief Operating Officer from Executive Vice President of Global Services and Chief Strategy Officer.
- Chad Whalen: Now Chief Revenue Officer, previously Executive Vice President of Worldwide Sales.
- Kunal Anand: Appointed Chief Technology and AI Officer, stepping up from Chief Technology Officer.
F5 is currently conducting an external search to find a replacement for Sprague. François Locoh-Donou, F5’s CEO, praised Sprague’s contributions, particularly her role in the company’s shift towards software-led solutions.
Other Notable Tech Moves
In addition to Sprague’s appointment, several other key moves are making waves in the tech industry:
-
Taimur Rashid: Returns to Amazon Web Services (AWS) as the leader of the Generative AI Innovation and Delivery team. Rashid previously spent nearly a decade at AWS and is excited to lead in the evolving field of generative AI.
-
Michelle Seitz: Former CEO of MeydenVest Partners and former chair and CEO of Russell Investments, has joined the board of Fred Hutch Cancer Center. Seitz also serves on the boards of MSCI Inc., Sana Biotechnology, and Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
-
Valve Software: The Bellevue-based game company has brought on Paul Morse and Duncan Drummond, co-founders of Seattle studio Hopoo Games, along with other employees from the startup.
Why These Moves Matter
These executive changes highlight the dynamic nature of the tech industry, where leadership transitions can significantly impact a company’s strategic direction and market positioning. Kara Sprague’s move to HackerOne, in particular, underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity and the role of strong leadership in driving innovation and maintaining industry trust.
In summary, as we witness these shifts, it’s clear that leadership changes are pivotal in shaping the future of tech companies. Whether it’s expanding product capabilities, investing in talent, or navigating new technologies, the success of these transitions will be closely watched by industry observers and stakeholders.
