Cicada Innovations names new CEO

Cicada Innovations has appointed former Google Executive Program Manager Sally-Ann Williams as its new CEO, following Petra Andrén’s departure in March 2019.

Williams — who is set to help transform the deep tech company into a program-driven business — was selected due to her experience in technology-based businesses and Australia’s start-up ecosystem.

The Chairman of Cicada Innovations, Andrew Rothery, said Williams is “the ideal person to drive Cicada Innovations forward in the next phase of its growth”.

“The experience she has garnered over 12 years with Google Australia and NZ, including as the Executive Program Manager (Engineering Community & Outreach) and in various roles interacting with high-level constituents such as governments and universities, will be invaluable to Cicada. Most importantly, she is a passionate advocate for deep technology and computing science and STEM education.”

Williams is looking forward to the role, believing that while commercialising work from labs and research facilities has always been a challenge, the company’s ties to Australia’s top four universities and new approach to innovation put it in a unique position to create and scale businesses.

Williams will officially take over as CEO on 1 July.

Image courtesy Cicada Innovations.