License to Thrive

"Exit Stage Left"

Diane Greene, CEO of VMware, has been removed from her position by corporate parent company EMC.  Greene co-founded the software company with her husband in 1998.  The software allows a single computer to virtually and simultaneously run servers with different operating systems, applications and databases.  Revenues for the company are expected to be close to $2 billion in 2008.

EMC noted that the board of directors for VMware felt that Greene lacked the experience to run such a large and growing company.  EMC purchased the company in 2003 and participated in a successful IPO (initial public offering) of the VMware stock in the summer of 2007.  Greene was offered the opportunity to remain at the company in a different role but declined. Greene was one of the highest-ranking women in the industry as well as at EMC which has previously received criticism for its lack of female senior executives and has also been sued by former saleswomen alleging discrimination by the company.