Jeff Kowalski

As a member of the senior executive team, Jeff Kowalski is responsible for shaping Autodesk's long-term technology vision and driving innovation across the company.

He and his team are responsible for shaping Autodesk’s technology and innovation strategies, developing emerging technologies into customer capabilities, and exploring and enhancing the big ideas that are important to Autodesk. A seasoned entrepreneur, he has earned a reputation for facilitating a rich diversity of technical, business, and entrepreneurial ideas from diverse sources, including engineers, technologists, marketers, policy experts, and others.

The Office of the CTO includes

• Autodesk Research, dedicated to innovation and discovery to help solve some of the world's most complex design problems. The team openly collaborates with researchers at leading universities around the world though exploration of areas critical to Autodesk's future.
• Corporate Strategy and Engagement, which develops Autodesk’s corporate strategy and creates thought leadership content and conversations at the intersection of design, technology, business, and societal issues.
• Autodesk Labs, which connects the latest Autodesk technology with early-adopter customers.

Prior to being named CTO in 2006, Kowalski served as Senior Director of Autodesk's Worldwide Subscription Programs, and directed product development within Autodesk's Collaboration Services Division. He also served as Software Architect, directing the development of 3D Studio MAX, HEIDI, and the AutoCAD graphics system. Kowalski joined Autodesk in 1993.

Kowalski holds a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and a Master's degree in computer science, both from Cornell University. When not CTO-ing, Jeff enjoys playing music and spending time with his family in Berkeley, California.