Tekedra N. Mawakana is co-CEO (as of April 2021) at Waymo, an autonomous driving technology company with a mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to get where they’re going. Waymo is Google’s parent company Alphabet’s autonomous vehicles division.
Personal Attributes and Interests
- She’s inspired by her son's joyful, optimistic and loving ways.
- Her role model is Maya Angelou.
- Her favourite app is LinkedIn.
- Last book she read “The House at Sugar Beach,” (as of Sept. 2018).
- She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and son.
Work Experience
Ms. Mawakana was previously the Chief Operating Officer at Waymo, from September 2019 to March 2021. She was responsible for ensuring Waymo’s technology is commercialized and widely adopted.
She was previously the Chief External Officer (May 2018 - September 2019) at Waymo, where she led external engagement, including teams responsible for public policy and government relations, public affairs, marketing, communications and corporate social responsibility. Led launch of the world’s first self-driving ride hailing service in December 2018.
She was VP, Global Head of Policy, Responsible for public policy and government relations efforts, on the executive leadership team (Mar 2017 – Apr 2018).
Ms. Mawakana was previously Vice President of Government Relations, eBay Inc., (February 2016- March 2017).
She was previously Deputy General Counsel and Vice President, Global Public Policy, Yahoo! Inc. (May 2013 – January 2016), where she will develop and direct global public policy strategy and team, with responsibility for global government affairs.
Ms. Mawakana and her team work closely with lawmakers and regulators around the world on key issues including privacy, intellectual property, business and human rights, high-skilled immigration reform and cyber-security.
Ms. Mawakana has over 16 years of experience in providing strategic counsel and direction on critical public policy, legal, regulatory and crisis-driven issues facing technology and online media companies. Based on her deep working knowledge of the public policy issues facing complex and innovative online business models, she has garnered a reputation as a trusted and reliable industry leader.
Ms. Mawakana previously served as Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Deputy General Counsel at AOL. Before joining AOL in 2001, she worked as Senior Corporate Counsel at Startec Global Communications Company. She began her career as an Associate in the Telecommunications and Intellectual Property groups at law firm Steptoe & Johnson LLP, in the Washington, D.C. office.
Board and Advisor Roles
Ms. Mawakana is a limited partner with Operator Collective Fund, L.P., a female lead venture capital fund.
She serves as a member of the board of directors at Intuit Inc., since October 2020.
She’s a member of the board of Industry Leaders of the Consumer Technology Association, a leading tech trade association representing the $398 billion US consumer technology industry.
Ms. Mawakana is on the board of directors of the Bay Area Council, which works with the CEOs and top executives from more than 300 of the region's largest employers to solve the toughest challenges, grow business and improve the quality of life for everyone who lives and works in the Bay.
She previously served as Chairman of the Internet Association, whose members include the most recognized global internet brands.
Accolades
- She has been recognized as a "Top 20 in 2020 Influential Women in Mobility" by Vulog.
- She was named as one of the most influential Black leaders in corporate America by Savoy magazine in 2020 and 2019.
- In August 2016, she was recognized as a Visionary Leader by ALM and InsideCounsel.
- In May 2015, she was recognized by the Washingtonian magazine as a Tech Titan, top 100 tech influencer.
Education
Ms. Mawakana received her J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law, and her B.A. magna cum laude from Trinity College.
