Veteran HR executive with experience supporting global organizations through growth and transformation joins NetApp’s leadership team

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 15, 2018-- NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP), the data authority for hybrid cloud, today announced the appointment of Debra McCowan as senior vice president and chief human resources officer (CHRO) at NetApp, reporting to CEO George Kurian.

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Debra McCowan, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), NetApp (Photo: Business Wire)

McCowan brings many years of experience in running global HR organizations to NetApp’s leadership team. As CHRO, she will work to ensure that NetApp’s people strategy aligns with its business strategy. She will lead all aspects of human resources, including talent acquisition, talent development and learning, business partnerships, organizational development and effectiveness, compensation and benefits, diversity, inclusion and belonging, and operations and systems.

“Debra has demonstrated her ability to provide leadership in aligning HR and people strategy with business strategy in companies experiencing rapid growth and transformation,” said George Kurian, CEO at NetApp. “Her understanding of global businesses and skill at partnering with executive teams and across organizations will be key to driving a high-performance organization that will help fuel the next era of growth.”

“NetApp’s rapid growth as one of the world’s leading technology companies offers an exciting opportunity,” said Debra McCowan, CHRO at NetApp. “I look forward to partnering with the executive team to develop a progressive and aligned global HR strategy and to creating an environment where talent and culture continue to be foundational and a driving factor in the success of NetApp.”

“Debra McCowan will be replacing Gwen McDonald, who is retiring after 14 years leading the NetApp HR team,” said Kurian. “Gwen’s leadership built a strong foundation for NetApp that sustained us through transformation. We all thank her for her tireless work on behalf of the company and wish her well on her retirement.”

About Debra McCowan

McCowan is recognized as a change agent with a clear business focus and the ability to build strong relationships across organizations. Most recently, McCowan served as the executive vice president and CHRO at Equinix, where she developed a clear global HR strategy and service delivery model amid growth and a changing business environment. She has also held executive leadership roles at Accelerance, Avago Technologies, and Hitachi Data Systems. McCowan earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, and her post-graduate degree in human resources and industrial management at the University of Melbourne.

About NetApp

NetApp is the data authority for hybrid cloud. We provide a full range of hybrid cloud data services that simplify management of applications and data across cloud and on-premises environments to accelerate digital transformation. Together with our partners, we empower global organizations to unleash the full potential of their data to expand customer touchpoints, foster greater innovation, and optimize their operations. For more information, visit www.netapp.com. #DataDriven

NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at http://www.netapp.com/TM are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181015005180/en/

Source: NetApp

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