Heather Brunner on university investments
From Heather Brunner, CEO of WP Engine: Career Paths, Leadership, and Austin’s Momentum · · Austin Tech Council
“There are billions of dollars that are going to be invested over the next decade continuing to advance just from the university alone beyond just what's planned from our early stage, mid-stage and private equity firms that are all here in Austin.”
On , Heather Brunner, Chairwoman & CEO at WP Engine, spoke about university investments during Heather Brunner, CEO of WP Engine: Career Paths, Leadership, and Austin’s Momentum on Austin Tech Council.
About Heather Brunner
Heather Brunner, chairwoman and CEO of WP Engine, appeared on the Austin Tech Connect podcast in June 2025, where she discussed the strength and momentum of the Austin tech ecosystem. She described the city as "thriving, evolving, and more connected than ever" and pushed back against negative media portrayals, stating, "Hell no. Hell no. We're just getting started." Brunner also spoke about the importance of community and collaboration, saying that "when we all work together and we collaborate, everybody wins." In earlier appearances, Brunner has discussed WP Engine's growth and leadership philosophy. She noted that the company does not require a degree for any role and that over 30% of its global employees do not have a college degree. She has also described the company's commitment to "being strong advocates and active leaders on behalf of the open and free web" and allowing diverse voices to be heard, as long as they align with the company's acceptable use policy. Brunner has characterized the role of a CEO as maximizing resources to drive enterprise value, adding that purpose is a key component of that equation.