Overview
Gowri Rao is a partner in Heidrick & Struggles’ San Francisco office and a member of the global Technology and Technology Officers practices. She works with CEOs and boards to identify transformative technology, product, and AI leaders. Drawing on her background as a former operator and product executive, Gowri simplifies the search journey. She provides grounded guidance that helps organizations hire quickly, with confidence, and with a long-term vision.
Experience
Gowri brings a deep operator background to her work, having founded and sold a SaaS startup and led product teams at Amazon, Zynga, and Twilio. This experience gives her practical insight into scaling and the capabilities that set exceptional technology and AI leaders apart. She advises a wide range of organizations, from global enterprises to high-growth venture and PE-backed companies across consumer internet and enterprise software.
Gowri’s clients rely on her clear judgment, structured processes, and steady guidance through complex leadership decisions. She focuses on making high-stakes hiring feel organized, transparent, and grounded in what will move the business forward. Her operating lens keeps decisions rooted in real-world execution.
Gowri is known for quickly understanding company context, building trust with stakeholders and candidates, and creating clarity in ambiguous situations. Leaders value her ability to translate complex product and technology needs into clear, actionable talent choices.
Education
Columbia Business School, MBA
Princeton University, BSE Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Philanthropy and Service
In addition to her client work, Gowri serves as board treasurer of Diablo Valley Montessori School.