Synopsys Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Synopsys has 8 executives leading key functions including strategic collaboration, financial oversight, technical advisory, corporate operations, automotive technology, alumni relations, data privacy, and legal counsel.

Focused on advancing electronic design automation, Synopsys delivers critical software and intellectual property solutions that empower global semiconductor manufacturers to innovate and secure complex integrated circuits.

Leadership Roles at Synopsys

  • Chief Financial Officer, Snps Nasdaq - Shelagh Glaser
  • President of SAED Alumni - Arthur Mkhitaryan
  • Managing Director, Strategic Collaboration (Chief Technology Officer Office) - Kee Kim
  • Technical Advisor & Chief of Staff - Salvador Alvarez
  • Senior VP, Corporate Operations & Office Chief of Staff - Alessandra Costa
  • Chief Technology Officer, Automotive - Judith Curran
  • Chief Privacy Officer, Data Protection Officer, & Executive Director - Erin McCurdy
  • General Counsel - Rick Runkel
  • Shelagh Glaser - Chief Financial Officer, Snps Nasdaq

    Shelagh Glaser, the Chief Financial Officer, Snps Nasdaq at Synopsys, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the organization. Overseeing global financial planning and analysis, the Chief Financial Officer, Snps Nasdaq ensures that investments in software quality and security testing tools align with long-term revenue growth targets. Glaser directs the financial reporting processes, maintaining transparency for stakeholders while supporting the expansion of DesignWare intellectual property solutions. By monitoring market fluctuations in the semiconductor industry, Shelagh Glaser mitigates financial risks associated with large-scale research and development projects. This leadership position requires close coordination with the executive team to prioritize resource distribution across manufacturing solutions and professional services. Through disciplined cost management and strategic financial forecasting, the Chief Financial Officer, Snps Nasdaq secures the necessary capital to sustain the company's market leadership in electronic design automation, ensuring consistent profitability and operational efficiency across all international business units.

    Arthur Mkhitaryan - President of SAED Alumni

    Arthur Mkhitaryan, the President of SAED Alumni at Synopsys, cultivates professional networks and knowledge-sharing initiatives among former employees and current staff. By fostering these connections, the President of SAED Alumni strengthens the company's influence within the broader engineering community and promotes a culture of continuous learning. Mkhitaryan directs programs that highlight the impact of the company's electronic design automation software on the semiconductor industry. Arthur Mkhitaryan facilitates mentorship opportunities that bridge the gap between experienced industry veterans and emerging talent, ensuring the transfer of critical technical knowledge. This role involves organizing events and forums that showcase advancements in FPGA-based prototyping and debug solutions. Through these efforts, the President of SAED Alumni enhances the company's reputation as a hub for innovation and professional development. By maintaining a vibrant alumni network, Mkhitaryan supports the long-term growth and sustainability of the organization's talent pipeline and industry presence.

    Kee Kim - Managing Director, Strategic Collaboration (Chief Technology Officer Office)

    Kee Kim, the Managing Director, Strategic Collaboration (Chief Technology Officer Office) at Synopsys, directs high-level partnerships to accelerate electronic design automation innovation. By aligning the Chief Technology Officer Office with external industry leaders, Kim fosters collaborative ecosystems that enhance the development of integrated circuit design platforms. This role involves identifying emerging technological trends that impact the broader semiconductor landscape across North American and Asian markets. Kee Kim maintains rigorous standards for technical integration, ensuring that collaborative efforts directly support the scalability of the Verification Continuum Platform. Through constant engagement with research institutions and hardware partners, the Managing Director, Strategic Collaboration (Chief Technology Officer Office) optimizes the deployment of virtual prototyping solutions. These initiatives drive long-term value by bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical application in complex system-on-chip infrastructure, ultimately strengthening the competitive position of the company within the global technology sector.

    Salvador Alvarez - Technical Advisor & Chief of Staff

    Salvador Alvarez, the Technical Advisor & Chief of Staff at Synopsys, coordinates cross-functional initiatives to streamline internal engineering workflows. By facilitating communication between product development teams and executive leadership, the Technical Advisor & Chief of Staff ensures that technical roadmaps remain synchronized with corporate objectives. Alvarez manages the execution of complex projects related to FPGA design products and analog IP, driving operational excellence across the organization. Salvador Alvarez provides critical insights into the optimization of Platform Architect tools, helping teams refine SoC architecture analysis. This role involves translating high-level strategic goals into actionable technical requirements for software developers and hardware engineers. By removing operational bottlenecks, the Technical Advisor & Chief of Staff enhances the speed of delivery for new verification IP products. Through this focused approach, Alvarez supports the company's mission to provide robust, reliable design solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global semiconductor manufacturing industry.

    Alessandra Costa - Senior VP, Corporate Operations & Office Chief of Staff

    Alessandra Costa, the Senior VP, Corporate Operations & Office Chief of Staff at Synopsys, oversees the internal infrastructure and administrative processes that support global business functions. By managing corporate operations, the Senior VP, Corporate Operations & Office Chief of Staff ensures that organizational resources are effectively deployed to support the development of logic libraries and embedded memories. Costa directs the integration of internal systems, fostering a cohesive environment that allows engineering teams to focus on creating advanced optical systems and photonic devices. Alessandra Costa coordinates with department heads to refine operational workflows, increasing productivity across the software supply chain. This leadership role involves implementing scalable processes that accommodate the company's rapid growth in the electronic design automation market. Through meticulous oversight of corporate initiatives, the Senior VP, Corporate Operations & Office Chief of Staff maintains the operational stability required to deliver high-quality security IP solutions to a diverse international client base.

    Judith Curran - Chief Technology Officer, Automotive

    Judith Curran, the Chief Technology Officer, Automotive at Synopsys, architects the technological strategy for the company's automotive-focused software and hardware solutions. By leading the development of specialized IP subsystems for sensor and data fusion functionality, the Chief Technology Officer, Automotive ensures that the company remains at the forefront of vehicle electrification and autonomous driving technology. Curran directs research into safety-critical software testing tools, helping automotive manufacturers reduce vulnerabilities in their development cycles. Judith Curran collaborates with global automotive partners to integrate virtual prototyping solutions into their design workflows, significantly shortening time-to-market for new vehicle architectures. This role involves identifying future trends in automotive electronics and aligning the company's product portfolio to address these emerging requirements. Through technical leadership and innovation, the Chief Technology Officer, Automotive drives the adoption of advanced design solutions that enhance the performance, security, and reliability of modern automotive systems on a global scale.

    Erin McCurdy - Chief Privacy Officer, Data Protection Officer, & Executive Director

    Erin McCurdy, the Chief Privacy Officer, Data Protection Officer, & Executive Director at Synopsys, manages the governance of data security and regulatory compliance across all global operations. By establishing rigorous privacy frameworks, the Chief Privacy Officer, Data Protection Officer, & Executive Director ensures that the company's software quality and security testing tools adhere to international data protection standards. McCurdy directs the implementation of policies that safeguard intellectual property and sensitive customer information throughout the software supply chain. Erin McCurdy collaborates with legal and engineering teams to integrate privacy-by-design principles into the development of security IP solutions. This role involves monitoring evolving global regulations and adapting internal processes to maintain compliance in diverse markets. Through proactive risk management and policy enforcement, the Chief Privacy Officer, Data Protection Officer, & Executive Director protects the company's reputation and ensures that all digital assets remain secure against emerging threats in the semiconductor design landscape.
    Erin McCurdy

    Rick Runkel - General Counsel

    Rick Runkel, the General Counsel at Synopsys, directs the legal strategy and regulatory affairs for the entire organization. By overseeing intellectual property protection, the General Counsel ensures that the company's extensive portfolio of DesignWare IP and electronic design automation software remains secure from infringement. Runkel manages complex contract negotiations and corporate governance matters, providing the legal foundation for international expansion and strategic partnerships. Rick Runkel advises the executive team on legal risks associated with the software supply chain and manufacturing solutions, ensuring that all business activities align with global trade laws. This role involves defending the company's interests in litigation and regulatory proceedings while fostering an environment of ethical business conduct. Through expert legal guidance, the General Counsel supports the company's mission to innovate within the semiconductor industry, providing the necessary legal framework to protect technological advancements and maintain a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Synopsys Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Synopsys?
    Synopsys is led by Shelagh Glaser (Chief Financial Officer, Snps Nasdaq), along with executives such as Arthur Mkhitaryan (President of SAED Alumni) and Kee Kim (Managing Director, Strategic Collaboration (Chief Technology Officer Office)).
    Who is part of Synopsys’s executive team?
    The executive team of Synopsys includes leaders such as Shelagh Glaser (Chief Financial Officer, Snps Nasdaq), Arthur Mkhitaryan (President of SAED Alumni), Kee Kim (Managing Director, Strategic Collaboration (Chief Technology Officer Office)) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Synopsys have?
    Synopsys has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Synopsys’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Synopsys includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer, Snps Nasdaq, President of SAED Alumni, Managing Director, Strategic Collaboration (Chief Technology Officer Office), Technical Advisor & Chief of Staff, Senior VP, Corporate Operations & Office Chief of Staff.