Kira Makagon
About Kira Makagon
Kira Makagon is the Chief Innovation Officer at RingCentral and has held this position since 2012. She has extensive experience in technology and innovation, having previously worked at companies such as Exigen Group and Epiphany, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Calix and the American Technion Society.
Work at RingCentral
Kira Makagon serves as the Chief Innovation Officer at RingCentral, a position she has held since 2012. In this role, she has been instrumental in developing innovative solutions for cloud communications. Notably, she spearheaded the launch of RingCentral Video® in 2020, enhancing the company's offerings in video meetings. Additionally, she led the acquisition of Glip in 2015, which allowed RingCentral to provide a unified solution that integrates messaging, video, and phone services. Under her leadership, RingCentral Ventures™ was launched in 2021, focusing on partnerships with founding teams and venture capitalists to advance the future of work.
Current Memberships and Board Positions
Kira Makagon is an active member of the Athena Alliance since 2017, contributing to the organization's mission to advance women in leadership roles. She also holds a position on the Board of Directors at Calix, where she participates in the Compensation and Cyber Security Committees. Her involvement in these organizations reflects her commitment to fostering innovation and leadership within the technology sector.
Education and Expertise
Kira Makagon earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. She furthered her education at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, where she obtained her MBA. Her academic background in technology and business provides a strong foundation for her roles in innovation and leadership within the tech industry.
Previous Experience
Before her tenure at RingCentral, Kira Makagon held several significant positions in various organizations. She served as the Chief Technology Officer at Epiphany for one year, and prior to that, she was the President of Ventures & Alliances at Exigen Group from 2001 to 2005. Additionally, she co-founded Octane Software, which was later acquired by Epiphany. She also founded and served as CEO and president of Red Aril, a media optimization platform acquired by Hearst Corporation.
Industry Contributions
Kira Makagon regularly engages with the academic and professional community as a lecturer at UC Berkeley. She participates in industry panels and podcasts, sharing her insights and expertise in technology and innovation. Her contributions to the field are recognized through her active involvement in discussions that shape the future of work and technology.