Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen is the CEO of SUSE, a leading provider of enterprise and cloud software solutions. With nearly two decades of experience at Red Hat, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong commitment to open-source innovation.
Who is Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen?
With a robust background in the enterprise software industry, Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen has taken the helm as CEO of SUSE. His career spans nearly two decades at Red Hat, where he held pivotal roles such as Senior Vice President and General Manager of both North America and APAC. Known for his advocacy of open-source software, van Leeuwen emphasizes transparency, meritocracy, and customer-centric strategies.
His leadership is expected to steer SUSE towards accelerated growth, leveraging his extensive experience and commitment to innovation.
Work History
Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen's extensive work history showcases his diverse experience and leadership roles across various companies. Here is a detailed list of his previous positions:
- SUSE - Chief Executive Officer (2023 to Present)
- Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore - Board Member (2020 to 2024)
- Freelance - Senior Advisor (2022 to 2023)
- Red Hat - Senior Vice President & GM Red Hat North America (2021 to 2022)
- Red Hat - Senior Vice President & GM Red Hat Asia Pacific & Japan (2010 to 2021)
- Red Hat - Vice President Sales Asia Pacific & Japan (2009 to 2010)
- Red Hat - Vice President Central & Eastern Europe (2004 to 2009)
- Planetweb - Sales Director Europe (2001 to 2003)
- BSDI - Director Central Europe (2000 to 2001)
- SCO - Director Benelux & Nordics (1996 to 2000)
Education History
Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen has a solid educational foundation that complements his extensive professional experience. He attended Harvard Business School, where he completed the "Finance for Senior Executives" program in January 2017. Additionally, he furthered his education at IMD, participating in the "BPSE" program, also in January 2017. These programs have equipped him with advanced financial and strategic skills, enhancing his ability to lead and innovate in the enterprise software industry.
When did Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen join SUSE?
Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen joined SUSE on May 1, 2023, stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer. As of now, he has been with SUSE for a few months, bringing his extensive experience from Red Hat to the company. His appointment marks a new chapter for SUSE, with van Leeuwen expected to leverage his background in open-source software to drive innovation and growth.
His leadership is anticipated to further SUSE's commitment to customer-centric strategies and open-source development.