Ela Krishnan
Vice President of Software Development at Dell Technologies
Driving digital transformation and fostering innovation through patent mining and academic partnerships.
Intro
I am Ela Krishnan, currently serving as the Vice President of Software Development at Dell Technologies. My career has been defined by a journey from hands-on engineering management to executive leadership, where I have focused on scaling large-scale software organizations and driving global market leadership in cloud clients. I am deeply passionate about fostering a culture of innovation—moving beyond simple execution to true excellence—and I have a particular interest in bridging the gap between industry and academia to mentor the next generation of engineers. Beyond the corporate sphere, I am committed to leveraging technology for social impact, specifically through supporting rural students and exploring innovations that can uplift agricultural communities. I look forward to connecting with those who share a vision for digital transformation and meaningful community advancement.
Networking
What I can offer
- ›Strategic organizational building and M&A integration expertise
- ›Mentorship for engineering students and bright young minds
- ›Guidance on establishing Centers of Excellence and patent programs
What I'm looking for
- ›expanding my professional network
- ›exploring mutual opportunities in software development and academic collaboration
Best fit for
Focus
Current interests
Core competencies
Background
Career
Progressed from Software Engineering Manager at VXL Instruments to Director at Wyse Technology, followed by a decade-long rise through leadership at Dell Technologies from Director to Vice President.
Education
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Computer Science, Vellore Institute of Technology (1993 – 1997)
Achievements
- ›Scaled Dell CPG software organization from 160 to 450+ engineers in two years
- ›Seeded programs resulting in 600+ US Authorized patents
- ›Led teams to #1 worldwide market share in cloud clients
- ›Managed 12M unit installed base during Wyse-Dell integration
Opinions
- Transform organizations from 'Centers of Execution' to 'Centers of Excellence' through innovation culture
- Businesses should offload IT infrastructure management to focus on core expertise
- Women leaders build stronger teams by leaning into resilience and authenticity
- Technology must be leveraged to uplift rural communities
Personality
Communication style
Professional, encouraging, and highly formal with a focus on holistic guidance.
Formality — 9/10
Vocabulary