Ruth Porat, President & Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google | Redefiners Podcast

Change is something all leaders deal with at various points in their careers. Whether it’s technological change, organizational change, or perhaps even changing careers or industries. Our guest today has managed through all of that change and more.

In today’s episode, Clarke and Hoda talk with Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet and Google. Ruth shares her story of career change, transitioning from her long-time role as CFO at both Morgan Stanley and Google to leading investments and philanthropic efforts at Google. Through it all, she talks about how she’s led through both business and personal change and uncertainty – including the financial meltdown in 2007-2008 when she was with Morgan Stanley, the fast-paced change that comes with technology transformation at Google, as well as her own personal battle with cancer. She’ll also talk about the promise of AI, especially in science, healthcare, education, climate, and other key areas.

Four things you’ll learn from this episode:

• How to lead through uncertainty and change
• What steps leaders can take to ensure they’re preparing their organizations and people for the changes AI will bring
• What skills organizations should look for when it comes to finding technology and AI-enabled leaders
• How to consider future-looking investment swings when there’s no guarantee they’ll pay off

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes:

• Science Fiction to Science Fact: A Conversation with Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson: https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/in...

• Reimagining Patient Care: A Conversation with Healthcare Innovator Ashley McEvoy: https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/in...

• Trust Your Gut: AXA’s Thomas Buberl Talks Transformation and Reinvention: https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/in...

• Talking Tough Decisions with TCW President and CEO Katie Koch: https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/in...

• From Server to COO: Kat Cole’s Journey to the Top: https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/in...

ABOUT RUTH
Ruth has been President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google since September 1, 2023. In this role, she is responsible for the Company’s corporate investments and investment vehicles, including CapG and GV, the Other Bets investment portfolio, Real Estate and Workplace Services, and other Company infrastructure. She regularly engages with policymakers and regulators about the Company’s business and impact across markets related to economic growth, job creation, and opportunity. She also oversees the Company's philanthropic efforts and work to expand access to digital infrastructure and skilling initiatives globally. She reports to Alphabet’s Chief Executive Officer.

Before assuming the role of President and Chief Investment Officer, Ruth served as Alphabet and Google’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from May 2015 until July 2024. Ruth started her career as a banker at Morgan Stanley, with her last position there as CFO.

Ruth is a member of the Board of Directors of Blackstone Inc., Stanford Management Company, the Council on Foreign Relations, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Board of Trustees of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She previously spent 10 years on Stanford University’s Board of Trustees.

  / ruth-porat  

ABOUT REDEFINERS
In each episode, Russell Reynolds Associates Leadership Advisors Hoda Tahoun and Simon Kingston, and Board and CEO Advisor Clarke Murphy host engaging, purposeful conversations with leaders in and out of the business world who share their insights and perspectives on how they lead, boldly. With each episode, you’ll come away with fresh ideas and tangible takeaways on how you can redefine your own leadership trajectory—no matter where you are on your journey.

SUBSCRIBE & DOWNLOAD
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast...

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/5iIg2yq...

For more, visit https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/in...

FOLLOW US:
Instagram:   / redefinerspodcast  
LinkedIn:   / russell-reynolds-associates  
X: https://www.x.com/RRAonLeadership
Russell Reynolds Associates: https://www.russellreynolds.com

#redefinerspodcast #russellreynoldsassociates #leadership #executive #CEO