Women in STEM Spotlight - Dr. Ning Hu

Dr. Ning Hu is an accomplished leader and trailblazer in the tech industry in both the US and China. Her career path is not uncommon in Silicon Valley but is rarely taken by women. She started her career at Google as a software engineer and eventually rose to a managerial position. After leaving the famed tech giant, Ning co-founded MediaV and led the ad-tech enterprise company as its CTO. After getting acquired by Qihoo 360, she served as the company’s CTO of ads and head of innovation and overseas business units. Later on, as a Vice President at Alibaba Group, she oversaw critical divisions within Alibaba's Local Life Service (Ele.me), marking her most recent executive role at a major technology company. 

Ning also serves on the Dean's Advisory Board of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Computer Science.

1. Why did you major in Computer Science and Technology and later pursue a PhD in Computer Science? Did you always have a specific career in mind at a young age?

My interest in programming began in the eighth grade. The most defining moment was when I used Basic to create a tank shooting game on an Apple II and shared it with my classmates. The excitement and sense of achievement I felt then hooked me and is still a vivid memory for me today. 

I participated in the National Olympiad of Informatics (NOI) in middle school and won first-place national prizes several times. This experience solidified my confidence in pursuing this career path. So, when going to college, I majored in Computer Science & Technology at Tsinghua University,  which is renowned for being the best in China.

I am incredibly lucky to have discovered my passion―and future career―so early in life. However, the decision to pursue a Ph.D. in Computer Science was somewhat spontaneous. While working on my master's in entertainment technology, I became involved in research projects on innovative topics that fascinated me. It was through this experience that I discovered a knack for research. The support and encouragement from my advisor and parents also played a significant role in my decision, giving me the determination to seize the opportunity to delve deeper into a field I was already passionate about.

2. How has your STEM background helped you in your career?

My STEM background has been pivotal throughout my career. Starting as a software engineer at Google after graduating from Carnegie Mellon, I progressed to become the CTO at my first startup, overseeing product and engineering. Later, I transitioned into various business leadership roles in major tech companies, from incubating innovative new products to managing a core business unit with thousands of employees. Although my career shifted from a technical to a business focus, I've always considered myself an engineer at heart.

My STEM education provided me with a profound understanding of the technological advancements that have revolutionized our industry and society at large, from the internet boom to the mobile era and now the AI revolution. Having been both a programmer and executive, I am uniquely positioned to understand not just the capabilities of technologies but also the business requirements of a product. This dual perspective enables me to create optimal solutions and products, which has been critical to my career advancement. 

3. As a woman engineer, you were probably always the minority at school and the workplace. What has your experience been? 

Indeed, I've often found myself among the few women in my field in both academic and professional settings. While I've grown accustomed to it, I find it difficult to accept. The gender imbalance is always apparent, especially when I’m the only woman in a crucial meeting or when all my direct reports are men. I’ve found that many women leaders in the industry are brilliant and competent, often matching or surpassing their male counterparts at the same level. Yet, the proportion of women in leadership and management roles in our field is disproportionately low.

Reflecting on this disparity, I don’t believe it's due to a lack of capable and ambitious women. Rather, it's often the result of women being faced with the challenging life decisions to balance their career aspirations with societal expectations and family responsibilities. If we want to change the status quo, encouraging women and giving them alternative perspectives is crucial. That's why I've become a vocal advocate for increasing femalerepresentation in our industry. I speak on this topic at universities and public forums and dedicate time to mentoring young female engineers who are navigating their career and life choices. My contributions may seem small, but I feel immensely fulfilled when I can help just one more woman become a leader in our industry.

4. You’ve worked for both American and Chinese companies. Differences and similarities?

Working for American and Chinese companies has given me insight into their cultural differences and similarities. American companies generally value individuality, often encouraging aggressive self-promotion. This environment works well for those who excel at personal branding. On the other hand, Chinese companies prioritize collective values, where modesty, caution, and group conformity are expected. As a manager in both countries, I've noticed a distinct deference to authority in Chinese companies, with employees often reluctant to challenge managerial decisions. This, however, isn't necessarily advantageous from my point of view.

Another key difference lies in work-life balance. U.S. companies tend to value this more, whereas Chinese companies often embrace a culture of hard work, epitomized by the notorious '996' work schedule. This has sparked much debate in China, especially among younger generations who are increasingly opposing this culture. I have many classmates and friends employed in tech companies across China and the U.S. We frequently make light-hearted comparisons about the intense competitiveness (involution, 内卷) in China, as opposed to the relatively more laid-back American (lying flat, 躺平) approach. In my opinion, the cultural environment in U.S. companies is often more favorable for innovation, while Chinese companies typically achieve higher operational efficiency.

However, when compared to more traditional industries, tech companies across both countries tend to be more transparent and egalitarian. This is likely because the tech sector inherently values openness, equality, collaboration, and sharing.

Beyond the differences in local cultures, a founder's personality and beliefs can profoundly shape a company's culture and ethos. In my experience, companies often reflect the distinctive traits of their founders, which is particularly evident among many successful entrepreneurs in the tech industry.

5. Do you have any role models and why?

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with some of the most renowned and influential leaders in tech, all of whom I consider role models. Each has unique traits that contribute to their success, from which I continuously learn. However, I'd particularly like to highlight my Ph.D. advisor, Roger B. Dannenberg, a retired Carnegie Mellon professor and a leading authority in computer music research.

I remember our conversation about our post-retirement plans and what we'd do if we had ample funds. He wanted to establish a computer music research center and continue his research. True to his word, he recently donated a substantial sum, in the millions, from selling an open-source product, to fund computer music research at the university. His dedication taught me the value of living a simple life and committing oneself entirely to a passion and inspired me to pursue my passions with similar devotion.

6. Anything else you’d like our readers to know about you?

As I mentioned earlier, my innate curiosity and passion drive me. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to study and work in a field constantly evolving with each new technological breakthrough. The pace at which new AI technologies are developing is astounding, and they are profoundly transforming both our industry and human society. The thrill of learning something new every day and contributing to the technological advancements that are reshaping our world keeps me feeling youthful and energized.

At this stage in my life, I've come to understand that many of the limits we perceive are self-imposed. Therefore, I choose not to set unnecessary boundaries. Instead, I embrace the wonders of this ever-changing world. Life is fleeting, and I believe in making the most of it.